Non-Executive Director – Board Member and Finance & Investment Committee Member

Location Description Description: London, UK (Hybrid)

Organisation: Building Centre Group (a subsidiary of the Built Environment Trust)

Role Type: Non-Executive (Part-time)

Reports to: Chair of the Board, Building Centre Group

Remuneration: Voluntary (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Term: Initial 3-year term, renewable by mutual agreement

About the Building Centre Group

The Building Centre Group Ltd is a dynamic trading subsidiary of the Built Environment Trust (BET), a UK charity that champions innovation and public engagement in the built environment. Operating from the iconic Building Centre in Central London, the Group supports a wide array of activities – exhibitions, events, and commercial partnerships – that further the charitable aims of BET.

The Building Centre Group generates income through venue hire, exhibitions, commercial collaborations, and programme support. These activities feed into BET’s broader mission to inspire, inform, and connect people with how the built environment shapes lives and society.

About the Built Environment Trust

The Built Environment Trust is a UK-registered charity that promotes knowledge, learning, and engagement around architecture, design, construction, and place-making. Through exhibitions, education, and research, the Trust seeks to stimulate public interest and professional development in sustainable and inclusive built environments.

The Role

The Non-Executive Director (NED) will hold a dual responsibility:

1. Board Director of the Building Centre Group Ltd, contributing to strategic oversight, corporate governance, and risk management of the trading entity.
2. Independent Member and Advisor of the Finance and Investment Committee, which advises the Board of Trustees of the Built Environment Trust on financial governance, investment strategy, compliance, and financial planning matters.

The Non-Executive Director will:

· Serve as a board member of Building Centre Group Ltd, offering independent, strategic financial advice and oversight.

· Provide specialist input on accountancy, audit, financial reporting, and investment matters.

· Support the effective governance of the parent charity, the Built Environment Trust, by acting as an independent advisor to its Finance & Investment Committee.

· Help the Trust and its subsidiary achieve sound financial management, long-term financial sustainability, and adherence to regulatory obligations.

Role Purpose & Governance Context

This role reflects a well-established governance model in the charity sector, where individuals with financial expertise are appointed as Non-Executive Directors of trading subsidiaries to provide independent oversight and professional input.

In this case, the Non-Executive Director of the Building Centre Group Ltd will also act as an external advisor to the Finance & Investment Committee of the parent charity, the Built Environment Trust. This structure ensures strong financial governance and strategic alignment between the commercial and charitable entities, particularly as the organisation approaches a period of transition requiring enhanced financial scrutiny, risk management, and long-term planning.

This dual role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to both the commercial and charitable future of a mission-driven organisation operating at the heart of the built environment sector.

The Built Environment Trust is at a critical juncture, with its lease at Store Street due to expire in 2029 with options being explored for a viable future for the organisation. Specific financial planning skills are essential to support the boards of both organisations in navigating this transition.

Key Responsibilities

As a Board Director (Building Centre Group Ltd):

– Provide oversight and guidance on strategic direction, financial sustainability, and business planning.

– Guide on effective risk management, compliance with Companies House regulations, and robust governance.

– Monitor trading performance and help to oversee alignment with the charitable aims of the parent Trust.

– Support the finance team in maintaining robust financial governance.

– Attend quarterly board meetings and ad hoc strategy sessions as needed.

As a Finance & Investment Committee Member (Built Environment Trust):

– Advise on financial reporting, budget setting, cash flow, reserves management, and investment strategy.

– Review quarterly management accounts and audit reports.

– Support the development and review of investment policies and ethical finance practices.

– Provide independent scrutiny and assurance to the Board of Trustees.

– Attend at least four committee meetings annually.

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience:

– Chartered status in accountancy, finance, investment, or equivalent (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA, or CIPFA).

– Demonstrable experience as a finance or investment professional at a senior level (CFO, Finance Director), ideally in an engineering/construction, infrastructure, construction products, or other built environment sector organization.

– Prior non-executive, trustee, or board experience, preferably within the charity or not-for-profit sector.

– Experience in organisations whose financial performance has been challenge, in particular ‘turn around’ or ‘winding up’ situations.

– Knowledge of charity accounting (SORP) and governance best practices.

– Strategic thinking and the ability to constructively challenge executive decisions.

– High ethical standards and a commitment to good governance.

Desirable:

– Understanding of the built environment and related sectors or cultural/heritage institutions.

– Experience with social impact or ethical investment strategies.

– Experience working within a hybrid trading-charity structure.

Time Commitment

Approximately 8-12 days per year, including preparation and attendance at:

– Quarterly Board meetings of the Building Centre Group.

– Quarterly Finance and Investment Committee meetings.

– Quarterly Board meetings of the Built Environment Trust.

– Occasional strategy sessions, site visits to the BCG, and training.

Recruitment Process and Timeline

We are committed to fair, transparent, and inclusive recruitment. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis. The process will be as follows:

– Applications Open: Tuesday 5 August 2025

– Application Deadline: Friday 19 September 2025

– First Round Interviews: w/c 5 September 2025

– Further Interviews and Appointment Notification – to be determined

– Role Commencement: Late September or early October 2025

How to Apply

Please submit:

– A CV (max 2 pages) detailing relevant professional experience.

– A covering letter (max 1 page) outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the person specification.

– Details of two referees (references will only be taken up at final stage).

Applications should be sent to: recruitment@buildingcentre.co.uk

For an informal conversation about the role prior to applying, please request by email to: recruitment@buildingcentre.co.uk

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Equal Opportunities

The Building Centre Group and the Built Environment Trust are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences, especially those underrepresented in board leadership roles.

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