At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape NPL’s growth by providing strategic oversight in AI, data, and cyber security.
- Company: Join a leading organisation focused on innovation and public value.
- Benefits: Competitive annual fee, flexible commitment, and the chance to influence national impact.
- Other info: Engage with top-level stakeholders and contribute to meaningful change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in governance and technology at a national level.
- Qualifications: Experience in national security, AI, data, and senior leadership roles required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Reports to: Chair of the Board.
Role Purpose
This is an opportunity for a forward‑looking non‑executive director to help shape NPL’s next phase of growth, influence and impact, bringing practical expertise across the data and digital domain, including artificial intelligence and cyber‑enabled systems. The postholder will contribute independent judgement, constructive challenge and strategic insight to the Board, with particular value placed on their ability to connect technological change to organisational strategy, customer relevance and national impact. They will help ensure that the Board is equipped to govern effectively in an environment where digitally enabled technologies, data‑driven decision‑making and digital infrastructure are central to performance, security, resilience and reputation. In doing so, they will strengthen the Board’s ability to balance innovation, assurance and risk, ensuring that emerging technologies are harnessed in a way that supports NPL’s public purpose, commercial ambition and long‑term sustainability. This is a non‑executive, strategic governance role, focused on oversight, challenge and assurance rather than technology delivery.
Principal Responsibilities
- Provide strategic oversight and constructive challenge to support NPL’s shift to a more customer‑centric and simpler operating model, ensuring that data, digital and AI‑enabled opportunities are aligned to customer needs, market relevance and long‑term impact.
- Contribute an independent, externally informed perspective to Board discussions, helping to translate complex technological issues into clear strategic choices and priorities.
- Help ensure NPL sustains strong governance, sound judgement and high standards of integrity, with particular attention to technology‑enabled risk, organisational resilience and cultural maturity.
- Oversee risk, performance and organisational resilience through active Board participation.
- Support and challenge the executive with independence and insight, particularly where strategy intersects with digital, data and technology transformation.
In relation to Digital, AI, Data & Cyber
- Strengthen Board‑level understanding of the strategic implications of AI, data and cyber, including their role in driving growth, innovation, risk and competitive advantage.
- Support the Board in shaping and reviewing risk appetite in relation to AI‑enabled systems, data governance and cyber security.
- Provide oversight and informed challenge on assurance frameworks relating to data quality, model integrity, digital infrastructure and cyber resilience.
- Offer strategic insight on emerging technologies and digital architectures, helping the Board anticipate opportunities, dependencies and disruption.
- Champion the ethical, secure and responsible use of AI and data, ensuring alignment with NPL’s public purpose, reputation and national role.
- Provide insight into relevant regulatory, policy and governance developments in AI, data and cyber security.
- Act as a trusted sounding board on technology‑enabled strategic choices maintaining clear distinction from executive accountability.
- Support relevant Board committees in deepening oversight of digital, data and cyber‑related matters.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Experience operating within, or closely alongside, national security, defence, or other nationally critical environments.
- Significant senior leadership experience, with deep exposure to AI, data, cyber security and/or complex digital systems.
- Strong understanding of technology‑enabled risk, assurance and governance, particularly in high‑assurance, regulated or nationally critical environments.
- Ability to interpret technical issues and translate them into strategic, governance and risk considerations at Board level.
- Credibility and judgement to influence and challenge effectively at senior levels.
- High standards of integrity, independence of thought and commitment to public value.
Desirable Experience
- Experience engaging with government, regulators or policy stakeholders on technology‑related issues.
- Experience as a non‑executive director or trustee.
Personal Attributes
- Strategic, thoughtful and analytically strong.
- Customer‑first mindset, able to connect technology decisions to customer outcomes, market relevance and societal impact.
- Balanced in approach, able to weigh innovation against risk, assurance and trust.
- Collegial and collaborative, contributing positively to Board dynamics.
- Comfortable operating in complex stakeholder environments where scientific excellence, public accountability and commercial considerations intersect.
- Values‑led, with a strong sense of responsibility and public service.
Key Relationships
- Chair of the Board
- Board members
- Chief Executive Officer and Executive Team
- CIO, Digital Innovation and Data Leaders
- Company Secretary
- External stakeholders and partners
Time Commitment
The Board meets four to five times per year, typically in person at NPL's headquarters in Teddington. In addition, non‑executive directors commit time to preparation, engagement between meetings, and maintaining an informed, external perspective on the environment in which NPL operates.
Remuneration
The annual fee for services is £13,500 plus reasonable expenses.
Term of Appointment
Appointments are made for an initial three‑year term, with the potential for reappointment subject to performance and governance approval.
Security and Assurance Requirements
Appointment will be subject to BPSS checks and will require higher levels of UK Government security clearance, reflecting the nature of NPL's work.
Non Executive Director (AI, Data & Cyber) in Teddington employer: National Physical Laboratory
NPL is an exceptional employer that values strategic insight and independent judgement, particularly in the realms of AI, data, and cyber security. Located in Teddington, the company fosters a collaborative work culture where non-executive directors can significantly influence national impact while enjoying opportunities for professional growth and engagement with key stakeholders. With a commitment to public value and ethical governance, NPL offers a unique platform for leaders to shape the future of technology in a nationally critical environment.
Contact Details:
National Physical Laboratory Recruitment Team
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