First Flight are seeking a Non-Executive Chair for London based ShareSoc, a successful membership organisation which supports individuals who invest in the stock market.

ShareSoc is dedicated to the support of individual investors (private shareholders as opposed to institutional investors). Their aim is to make and keep members better informed so as to improve their investment skills and protect the value of their investments.

The not-for-profit organisation was created in the belief that individual investors, speaking with one coordinated voice rather than as individuals creates more influencing opportunities for individual investors.  They provide a comprehensive range of services to individual investors, including news and information, support for direct investment, representation, education information and education events.  

Role Specification:

We are seeking a new Non-Executive Chair for London based ShareSoc, a successful membership organisation which supports individuals who invest in the stock market.

ShareSoc has grown impressively over the last five years and is now looking for a Chair with stock market experience and a deep interest in governance issues to lead the board through the next stage in the organisation’s development.

The role will be attractive to the right candidate as an opportunity to influence and improve the investment environment for individuals, and to play a key role in developing ShareSoc into a much larger, more influential, and effective organisation.

The Chair will be expected to contribute up to 4 days per month. The role is unremunerated (although expenses will be reimbursed).

Business Concept and the Market:

  • ShareSoc is a not-for-profit organisation, created by investors for investors, with the aim of improving the investment experience for individual investors and to promote their interests wherever this is needed.
  • We are very proud to enjoy the patronage of Lord Lee of Trafford, who is regarded as one of the UK’s leading private investors and who shares our passion.
  • With 15% of the UK market owned by individual shareholders, ShareSoc plays a key role through lobbying and campaigning, and through providing educational, networking and information services to individual investors across the UK.
  • We protect the interests of individual investors and enable them to have their proper say as owners of the businesses in which they invest.
  • We provide informative newsletters, digital news channels, company reports, educational events, networking opportunities and both online and physical events.
  • ShareSoc has significantly raised its profile through active campaigns (Beaufort Securities, Sirius Minerals Plc and Woodford Funds) and has grown its membership by over 30% pa. The Board sees considerable potential to further expand our membership and to extend the influence of the organisation.
  • Current Chair, Mark Northway, has held the role for the past five years, during which time ShareSoc has become the pre-eminent organisation representing the interests of individual shareholders, has more than doubled its membership and has achieved a sound financial footing. Mr. Northway will remain on the board in a non-executive capacity.

 

The Role:

  • Ensure that ShareSoc’s Board is effective in its task of setting and implementing the organisation’s direction and strategy.
  • Represent ShareSoc’s aims and policies to the outside world.
  • Provide leadership to the Board.
  • Oversee the adoption, delivery and communication of the organisation’s governance model.
  • Take responsibility for the Board’s composition and development.
  • Plan and conduct the Board meetings.
  • Ensure the Board focuses on its key tasks, with the support of existing subcommittees.
  • Participate in the development and implementation of an operational framework to support the organisation’s continued growth.
  • The appointment as Non-Exec Chair is for an initial period of one year and may thereafter be renewed on a rolling annual basis by mutual agreement, subject to the further agreement of the members of the Company at each Annual General Meeting.

 

The Person:

  • A visionary, high profile leader able to lead the ShareSoc Board and leverage the progress already made.
  • Ideally with experience of chairing successful Boards.
  • Some experience of not-for-profit or charity organisations (or Government bodies or quangos) would be beneficial.
  • Experience of growing a Membership Organisation would be beneficial.
  • Experience of dealing with senior industry and government representatives.
  • First-hand investment knowledge across main market and AIM stocks, investment trusts and mutual funds, ideally as a personal investor.
  • Good IT/Tech skills would be beneficial.
  • Sufficient time availability to be able to make the required commitment.

 

If you feel that you meet the criteria outlined above, please apply for this role on the First Flight web site: www.FirstFlightNonExec.com under role # 1135 by clicking on the link, if you are already registered with us or by registering your CV via the link on our home page and then clicking on the 'click here to apply for role'.

For more information or an informal discussion please contact First Flight Non-Executive Directors on 01797 270271 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Closing date 9am, Monday 17th May 2021

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