About the Role
BaseballSoftballUK is looking to appoint a new Chair of the Board of Directors. This follows the decision of Phil Veasey to step back in November due to increased demands of his other appointments. The role is voluntary.
The position is voluntary. The role would be well suited to someone who has prior experience of sitting on Boards, has good interpersonal skills and who can provide strong leadership.
There’s no need for you to have had prior experience of our sports, but a passion for what we’re doing is essential. With Major League Baseball bringing to London regular season games, UK Sport investment into our elite programmes, the pursuit of baseball and softball qualification to the LA 2028 Olympic Games, partnerships with Sport England, the Mayor of London’s Office (GLA) and with exciting facility development projects at Farnham Park, Brent Cross and Milton Keynes, now is an exciting time for the sports.
About You
Skills and Experience
We are actively seeking an inspiring and dynamic individual to take on the role of Chair of BaseballSoftballUK. Working closely with our CEO, you will have an ability to lead our Board and shape the future of the sports, in conjunction with the two NGBs – the British Baseball Federation and British Softball Federation.
We are seeking someone who has a forward-thinking and proactive approach, with the ability to lead a transformation of the governance of the sports towards being one. Your leadership will be central to this journey. We are looking for a visionary leader who can energise and inspire. Strong governance experience will be invaluable in ensuring the organisation’s effectiveness and modelling the sports’ future organisational structures.
The role will require exceptional management skills to foster greater collaboration across our Members, funders and stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity to guide the sports towards future success.
Time Commitment
Directors will be expected to devote such time as is necessary for the proper performance of duties and should be prepared to spend approximately two days a month (evenings and weekends, mostly) on company business after the induction phase.
This is based on preparation for and attendance at:
1. Board meetings
2. Sub-committee meetings
3. General Meetings
4. And any other such duties expected of a Director.
The responsibilities of the Chair include an additional day a month, taking this time commitment normally to approximately three days a month. Unless unavoidable circumstances prevent a Director from doing so, it is expected that Directors will attend meetings in person or by video.
The time commitment will increase should a Director become a committee chair or take on additional duties.
Chair Duties
The duties of the Chair are:
• Planning the annual cycle of board meetings.
• Setting agendas for board meetings.
• Chairing and facilitating board meetings.
• Reviewing with other Directors the effectiveness of the Board.
• Giving direction to board policy-making.
• Monitoring that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.
• Representing the organisation at functions and meetings, acting as a spokesperson as appropriate.
• Liaising with the CEO to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs and provide support as appropriate.
• Leading the process of appraising the performance of the CEO.
• Sitting on appointment and disciplinary panels.
• Liaising with the Chief Executive Officer to develop the Board.
• Bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision-making.
• Facilitating change and addressing conflict within the Board and organisation, liaising with the CEO to achieve this.
Director Duties In addition, the Chair serves as a Company Director, with the following responsibilities:
• Understand and be committed to the Company aims, values and principles.
• Act as a custodian for the Company.
• Support all decisions once they have been collectively agreed by the Board.
• Challenge all incidents that contravene Company policies and rules.
• Respect the confidentiality of Board matters and discussions.
• Take and consider professional advice on matters where you do not have sufficient expertise.
• Declare any interests that may result in conflict while they are serving on the Board.
Joint responsibilities with other Board members are to:
• Decide overall strategy including the vision, mission and values.
• Observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the management of BaseballSoftballUK.
• Be collectively accountable and give value to members and stakeholders.
• Ensure that BaseballSoftballUK is meeting its aims.
• Endeavour to ensure that funding for BSUK continues.
• Be aware of the need for a diverse, balanced, competent, skills-based Board and for succession planning.
• Engage in a partnership with the Senior Management and staff team.
• Appoint the CEO, monitor their performance and determine their remuneration.
• Ensure that BaseballSoftballUK complies with its Articles of Association and any agreements in place. The Senior Independent Director (SID) is appointed by the Board of Directors to support the Chair and Board of Directors by providing senior level support and guidance.
The additional duties of the SID are:
• To work closely with the Chair, acting as a sounding board and providing support.
• To act as an intermediary for other Directors as and when necessary.
• To make themselves available to Non-Executives, Executives and members to address any concerns or issues they feel have not been adequately dealt with through the usual channels of communication (i.e. through the chair or the executive).
• To meet at least annually with the non-executives to review the chair’s performance.
• To support the Chair in building partner relationships.
• To assist in carrying out recruitment and succession planning for the Board.
• To work with the Chair and other Directors to resolve significant issues or in circumstances where the board is undergoing a period of stress.
About Us
The Board BaseballSoftballUK is a company limited by guarantee. The company has been incorporated since 2007. Our Board is made up of made up of up to twelve people, selected for their skills and ability to lead the organisation. Appointments are made by the Members of the Company, nominated either by the Members or by the Board.
Most positions are filled with Independent Non-Executive Directors (INEDs), who are free from present or immediately past ties to formative office in baseball and/or softball.
The Board meets around four to six times each year. At present, these meetings are frequently held virtually on weekday evenings from 6pm. The Board has several sub-committees that meet at least quarterly, including the committees for Finance; Governance; Development, Fundraising and Partnership; Nominations; and Remuneration and Employment. Board Directors, particularly Independent Directors, are encouraged to join at least two subcommittee.
Further Information
Applications should be made online by clicking here. Applications should be made online by clicking here. You will be asked to provide information about your background and education as well as providing us with a personal statement. For more information, please contact john.boyd@bsuk.com Confidentiality All information acquired during a Director’s appointment is confidential to the Company and should not be released, either during appointment or following termination (by whatever means), to third parties without prior clearance from the Chair. Code of Conduct BaseballSoftballUK has a Code of Conduct which all Directors are required to sign. A copy of the code will be provided in the Induction Pack.
Induction As soon as practicable, all Directors will be provided with a comprehensive induction, including meetings with relevant parties and a Board Induction Pack.
All Directors are expected to remain current on how to best discharge their legal and statutory responsibilities as Directors of a Company.
