Appointment of a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited

We value the benefits of having different points of view and experiences on Boards and on this Board in particular they value the perspectives of individuals who have lived and/or worked in the Highlands and Islands, or those who have an understanding of the needs and aspirations of those living in the Highlands and Islands. Accordingly, we hope to receive applications from a wide range of talented people irrespective of their religion or belief, age, sex, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, political belief, relationship status or caring responsibilities.

If you have a disability and require an adjustment at any stage of the public appointments process, please get in touch with the Scottish Government, Public Appointments Team on 0300 244 1898 or by email at public.appointments@gov.scot.

HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS AIRPORTS LIMITED

HIAL is a public body wholly owned by Scottish Ministers. The Company operates and manages 11 airports in the Highlands and Islands (Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick) and Dundee. These airports are vital to the social and economic welfare of the areas they serve and enable the communities to stay connected.

None of HIAL’s airports operates on a solely commercial basis and the Scottish Government provides subsidy to HIAL to close the gap between commercial revenue and operating costs to enable the continued operation of safe and regulatory compliant airports.

HIAL is also a private company and those appointed to the Board will also be a limited company director registered at Companies House for HIAL and subsidiaries Dundee Airport Limited and Airport Management Services Limited.  The appointment, therefore, has Companies Act responsibilities.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (FINANCE ROLE)

Working together with the Chair and other Members of the Board, the Non-Executive Director role involves:

• providing leadership (particularly financial) to the Company within the framework of prudent and effective controls which enable risk to be assessed and managed;
• setting the Company’s values and standards and ensure that its obligations to its shareholder, communities and others are understood and met;
• setting the Company’s strategic aims – aligned to the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework (www.nationalperformance.gov.scot/) –  ensuring that the necessary financial and human resources are in place for the Company to meet its objectives (within the resources allocated by the Scottish Government and the revenue generated from the Company’s activities);
• approving financial plans and large scale projects (both capital and resource);
• ensuring that the Company meets its obligations as set out in the HIAL Framework Document.
• contributing to consideration of key issues before the Board;
• preparing for, and attend, meetings of the Company and its committees;
• attending other meetings and seminars on behalf of the Company (as required);
• providing active support for the Company, promote commitment to its core values, policies and objectives, and provide effective, strategic support to the Company in the management and operation of its airports, ensuring that it meets Ministerial aims;
• assisting in the development, approval and monitoring of the Company’s corporate plans which demonstrate how the Company contributes to National Outcomes;
• approving, where appropriate, a statement of accounts for each financial year on the basis determined by the Scottish Ministers;
• monitoring the financial position of the Company against budget allocations and key financial targets and ensure corrective action is taken where required;
• establishing good partnership working with other organisations and participate in reference groups, discussion forums and open meetings (as required); and
• carrying out other tasks that may reasonably be required.

HIAL INFORMATION

You will be able to access important HIAL documents through the attached link. We would encourage you to read the relevant documents prior to applying - About the Group – Board of Directors - Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information about HIAL and the role, please contact in the first instance, HIAL’s Board Secretary, Jackie Clark on JClark@hial.co.uk.  Loraine Strachan the outgoing Non-Executive Director would be happy to discuss that role.

You can also find out more about HIAL at www.hial.co.uk.

REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT

Non-Executive Director’s receive £332.89 per day for a time commitment of two days per month.

A further time commitment may be required if appointed the Chair or a Member of a Board Sub-Committee.

Reasonable expenses incurred will be reimbursed.  The appointments non-pensionable.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

You will be expected to demonstrate evidence of:

1. Financial stewardship

2. Communication and influencing

3. Knowledge and/or understanding of HIAL’s environment

4. Governance

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLE

In your application you should provide evidence of three essential criteria:

1. Financial stewardship

2. Communication and influencing

3. Knowledge and/or understanding of HIAL’s environment

There is a limit of 500 words for criterion one (Financial stewardship) and 300 words each for criterion two and three (Communication and influencing; and Knowledge and/or understanding of HIAL’s environment).

The fourth criterion (Governance) will be tested at interview.

You should also provide a two page tailored life/career history. This should include relevant information from your professional, personal and voluntary experience.

If you also wish to apply for the HIAL Chair role, you will need to submit a separate application.  Full details are set out in the Applicant Information Pack.