Independent Trustee and Chair of the Trustee Board

London

The Independent Trustee and Chair of the Trustee Board provides objective, impartial leadership to the EOT Trustees, ensuring the Trust operates effectively, transparently, and in line with its legal responsibilities. The Chair will ensure that the interests of employee owners are represented and considered in decision-making affecting the business and its future.

This is a key governance role within the company structure. The Trust Chair also represents the EOT at the Broadway Malyan Operating (Holdings) Board, providing oversight, scrutiny, and independent challenge to Executive leadership in relation to the delivery of the business strategy in line with the interests of employee owners.

Governance and Leadership

• Provide effective leadership and direction to the Trustee Board.
• Ensure that Trustees fulfil their legal responsibilities under the EOT Deed.
• Ensure the Trustee Board operates in line with best EOT governance practice and compliance requirements.
• Act as the link between the Operating Holdings Board and the Trustees Board, ensuring transparent, clear and effective communication between the groups.
• Chair Trustee meetings, ensuring effective participation, balanced debate, and clear decision-making.
• Set meeting agendas in consultation with the Trustees and company leadership.
• Ensure that decisions are documented, actions are followed up, and a clear record of Trustee Board business is maintained.

Employee Owner Representation and Advocacy

• Safeguard the long-term interests of employee owners.
• Ensure employee-owner perspectives are considered in company decision-making.
• Engage constructively with appointed and elected Trustees and Employee Reps.
• Ensure the voice of employees as owners is heard and fed back on by the business, and owner priorities are factored into key decision-making.

Oversight of Business Strategy and Performance

• Sit on the Broadway Malyan Operating Board as an independent voice for employee owners.
• Provide oversight and independent challenge to the Operating Holdings Board.
• Ensure the company strategy aligns with the long-term interests of employee owners and the values of employee ownership.
• Monitor business performance and strategic decisions in the context of their impact on employee owners and long-term sustainability.

Trustee Board Development

• Support processes to elect/appoint fellow Trustees, provide induction, and succession planning.
• Ensure that the Trustee Board collectively possesses the necessary skills and experience to discharge its duties.
• Support the development of individual Trustees through advice, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing.

Promotion of Employee Ownership Culture

• Act as a visible and credible advocate for employee ownership within Broadway Malyan and externally.
• Champion the principles of employee ownership in governance and decision-making.

Skills and Experience

• Proven leadership experience at Board or EOT Trustee Board level, preferably as Chair or Independent Director.
• Experience in employee ownership governance structures.
• Preferred experience includes working within or alongside organisations focused on the built environment.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and influencing skills.
• Experience of providing constructive scrutiny and challenge to leadership positively and collaboratively.
• Ability to build positive relationships with a range of diverse people across cultures and at all levels of a business.
• Strong EOT governance knowledge, with a clear understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of EOT Trustees.
• Ability to lead effective and balanced discussions, summarise complex issues, and achieve consensus without conflict.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of business operations and long-term strategic management.

Personal Attributes

• Independent, impartial, and objective.
• Collaborative, driven, approachable, and constructive.
• Strong personal integrity, with an honest commitment to ethical leadership.
• Ability to balance business priorities with employee ownership principles.

Knowledge

• Excellent understanding of the principles of employee ownership, including governance best practice, regulatory requirements, fiduciary duties and core documentation around Employee Ownership Trusts.
• Awareness of relevant corporate governance codes, good practice guidance and data (e.g. Employee Ownership Association research, UK Corporate Governance Code).
• Understanding of the operational, financial, and regulatory environment of professional services businesses.

Alignment with Broadway Malyan Values and Vision

The successful candidate must demonstrate clear alignment with Broadway Malyan’s core values and its strategic vision for the next three years, which prioritises:

• Employee Ownership
• Wellbeing of People and Planet
• Thinking Without Borders
• The Client Relationship
• Digital Transformation

Time Commitment

• Approximately 3-3.5 days per month, including:
• Chairing quarterly scheduled (and occasional ad-hoc) Trustee Board meetings.
• Attend scheduled Operating Board meetings every six weeks (and occasional ad-hoc).
• Occasional participation in Remuneration Committee meetings.
• Occasional participation in other Operating Board sub-committees.
• Attendance at Annual General Meeting.
• Attend at Annual Forum Global leadership event.
• Chairing quarterly scheduled (and occasional ad-hoc) global Studio Rep meetings.
• Preparation and reading time.
• Ad-hoc involvement in company meetings, strategic sessions, 121s with the Chief Executive, Chair and operational leaders, and Trustee and Rep recruitment.
• Attend quarterly global New Starter Induction meetings.
• Trustee and Studio Rep development and induction activities.
• Support communication of the EOT role and Trustee activity with wider colleagues across the business.
• The company is headquartered in London, and in-person attendance at some meetings is desirable on occasion.

Term Length

• Initial 3-year term, renewable by mutual agreement and subject to Trustee Board approval.

Remuneration

• Fixed annual remuneration dependent on experience, to be confirmed at the offer stage to reflect the time commitment and responsibilities of the role.
• Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed in line with company policy.

About us

Broadway Malyan is a global architecture, urbanism and design practice dedicated to creating cities, buildings and places that will provide a lasting legacy. Through a shared design ethos, we work together to create places with a strong sense of identity where people and communities want to live, learn, shop, work and relax. Our collaborative approach to integrated sustainable design has enabled us to deliver award-winning projects at all scales across the world. Every project, from a strategic city plan to the craftsmanship of a balustrade, reflects our passion for quality design and place-making.

As an employee-owned practice, we are able to create an inclusive culture where everyone has a strong sense of engagement and shared responsibility in the future of our business. We are committed to investing and inspiring our people, so we can attract and retain the best talent to strengthen our reputation as both a design practice and an employer of choice.

If you have the talent and passion and want to draw your inspiration from working within a community of active minds, it is likely that we have a place for you at Broadway Malyan.

Application Process

To apply, candidates should submit:

• A curriculum vitae (CV) detailing relevant experience.
• A cover letter (max 1 page) outlining:
• Their interest in the role.
• Relevant skills and experience.
• How applicants meet the essential criteria.
• Their alignment with Broadway Malyan’s values and employee ownership model.

Applications should be sent to

Annika Malone: [email protected]

Broadway Malyan is an equal opportunity employer.

No agencies please.

Closing date: Friday 25th July

Recruitment notes

• All applications will be anonymised for the first sift. Please do not include personal photos.
• HR will allocate application numbers and manage the anonymised application process.
• Applications will be reviewed against essential and desirable criteria by the EOT Trustees.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.
• Interviews may be held in person in London or via hybrid arrangements.
• A final appointment decision will be made by the Trustee Board, with input from Broadway Malyan’s Chair, CEO and Holdings Board.