Appointment of the Chair 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.

CHAIR ROLE

The Board meets regularly to provide strategic direction for the Company.  Major policy decisions are made at Board level drawing on information provided by the Management Team, the Scottish Government and other appropriate sources of information.

The decisions of the Board are actioned through the Chief Executive Officer and the senior leadership team of the Company.  The Chair will demonstrate clear and effective leadership of the Board to ensure that the views of all Board members are taken into account while giving clear direction to the management of the company on how to proceed.

The Chair role involves:

• providing effective strategic leadership to the Board and the Company in the management and operation of its 11 airports;
• working closely with the Scottish Government to deliver Ministers’ policies and priorities;
• leading the development of the Company’s strategic plan;
• overseeing the continuous improvement of the management of the Company; 
• monitoring expenditure and promoting efficiencies and revenue generation, the maintenance of its airport’s estates and related investments and commercial opportunities;
• representing and speaking on behalf of the Board in dealings with Ministers, the media and a wide range of stakeholders; and
• assessing the performance of individual Board members and the Chief Executive Officer on an annual basis.

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.  Lorna Jack, the current Chair, would be happy to discuss the Chair role.

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

REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT

The Chair receives £345.92 per day for a time commitment of six days per month.

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

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

You will be expected to demonstrate evidence of:

1. Strategic leadership 

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

3. Communication and influencing

4. Strategic change and transformation

5. Governance

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE CHAIR ROLE

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

1. Strategic leadership 

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

3. Communication and influencing

4. Strategic change and transformation

There is a limit of 300 words for each criterion.

The fifth 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 Non-Executive Director role, you will need to submit a separate application.  Full details are set out in the Applicant Information Pack.