At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the EOT Board, ensuring employee interests are at the heart of decision-making.
- Company: Shaw Healthcare, a social care provider with a strong employee ownership ethos.
- Benefits: Competitive remuneration of £15,000 per annum plus travel expenses covered.
- Other info: Flexible remote work with quarterly meetings and opportunities for impactful engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in employee ownership and governance within a caring organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in employee ownership and senior governance roles required.
The predicted salary is between 15000 - 15000 £ per year.
Location: Remote/UK-based with quarterly visits to Shaw healthcare Head Office for EOT Board meetings and occasional visits to other Shaw healthcare sites.
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum (Reasonable expenses for travel and accommodation reimbursed)
Start Date: December 2026
Reporting to: Shaw healthcare EOT Board/CEO
Shaw healthcare Group Background: Shaw healthcare is a social care provider operating across England, Wales and Scotland and, as of 2026, has been employee-owned for 6 years, with a majority (65%) shareholding held on behalf of its employees via an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The EOT structure strengthens employee voice, protects long-term mission and values, and ensures that business decisions serve both sustainable performance and employee benefit.
Primary Purpose of the Role: Provide independent oversight, ensuring that Shaw healthcare is run in the long-term interests of its employees as beneficiaries of the EOT. Lead the EOT Board in reviewing the company’s performance, governance, culture, integrity, and alignment with employee ownership values. Ensure the EOT operates to the highest standards of ethical governance, transparency, and engagement. Champion the voice of employee owners through robust communication, structured listening mechanisms, and an inclusive culture across the organisation.
Key Accountabilities:
- Governance & Ethical Oversight: Chair all EOT Board meetings, ensuring effectiveness, strong governance, and well-structured decision-making. Ensure the EOT fulfils its legal responsibilities under trust law and the Companies Act. Hold the company Board accountable for acting in the interests of employees as beneficiaries of the EOT. Oversee the annual review of the company’s performance, including culture, standards, quality, and employee wellbeing. Ensure compliance with the EOT Trust Deed and alignment with best practice in employee ownership governance.
- Cultural & Values Stewardship: Provide independent challenge where organisational behaviour, leadership actions, or business decisions risk undermining employee ownership ethos. Encourage a culture of openness, mutual respect, and shared responsibility, ensuring employees feel heard and valued. Provide an excellent standard of support and direction to the Trustees to enable them to meet both their and the EOT’s objectives.
- Communication & Engagement Leadership: Impartial and trusted conduit between employees, EOT Board and company Board. Strengthen employee understanding of the EOT model, their rights and responsibilities, and their role within the governance structure. Support Regional engagement forums, Employee Representatives, and internal communications teams to promote transparency and trust. Ensure strategic decisions made by the company Board reflect long-term employee interests and the sustainability of the business. Bring constructive challenge and independent perspective to discussions on growth, transformation, organisational change, and risk.
Person Specification: Proven experience in employee ownership, ideally serving in a leadership, governance or trustee capacity within an employee owned organisation. Board level / senior governance experience (Chair, NED, Trustee or equivalent) in a commercial organisation. Background in organisations with multi-sited workforce, high workforce engagement, cultural transformation, or values driven leadership. Passionate about employee ownership and its potential. Values driven and people centred. Comfortable balancing scrutiny with support. Skilled at leading through influence rather than executive authority. Committed to strengthening culture, trust and long-term stewardship. Experience in health & social care would be an advantage.
Core Competencies and Strengths:
- Governance & Ethics: Deep understanding of good governance, fiduciary responsibility, and ethical leadership. Ability to challenge constructively, ensuring accountability and transparency. Experience in oversight of regulated, risk sensitive environments is advantageous. Role-modelling values led leadership, with a personal commitment to inclusivity, dignity, and wellbeing. Ability to interpret cultural signals / gaps and encourage/support development across the organisation via the leadership team. Confidence to raise cultural misalignment or risks.
- Communication & Engagement: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to engage credibly with employees at all levels including at Board level. Skilled in chairing meetings, facilitating dialogue, and managing sensitive issues. Ability to review and feedback on strategic plans in a way consistent with employee ownership and the long term sustainability of the business. Understanding of organisational transformation, workforce implications, and long term sustainability. Skilled in balancing commercial reality with social purpose.
Time Commitment: 4-year minimum term, renewable subject to mutual agreement. Expected time commitment: approximately 12–15 days per year, which includes: Quarterly EOT Board meetings (in person at Shaw head office), Preparation time and follow up to EOT Board meetings, Quarterly briefings with CEO (virtual) and some ad-hoc calls, Employee engagement visits to Shaw services, Participation in key organisational and celebratory events or strategic sessions.
Shaw Healthcare Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) Independent Chair in Cardiff employer: Shaw healthcare (Group) Ltd
Shaw Healthcare is an exceptional employer, fostering a culture of employee ownership that empowers staff and prioritises their voices in decision-making. With a commitment to ethical governance and transparency, employees benefit from a supportive environment that values their contributions and promotes professional growth. The remote working flexibility, combined with the opportunity to engage directly with the EOT Board and influence the organisation's direction, makes Shaw Healthcare a rewarding place to work for those passionate about social care and employee engagement.
Contact Details:
Shaw healthcare (Group) Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shaw Healthcare Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) Independent Chair in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care sector or employee ownership space. Attend relevant events and engage with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Shaw Healthcare's values and culture. Understand their employee ownership model and think about how you can contribute to their mission. Tailor your responses to show you're aligned with their ethos.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As an Independent Chair, you'll need to convey ideas clearly and engage with various stakeholders. Consider mock interviews or discussions with friends to refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Shaw Healthcare team and contributing to their employee ownership journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Shaw Healthcare Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) Independent Chair in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff:Before you start writing, make sure you understand the role and Shaw healthcare's values. Dive into their mission and how the EOT works. This will help you tailor your application to show that you're the perfect fit!
Be Authentic:We want to see the real you! Share your experiences and passion for employee ownership. Use examples that highlight your governance experience and how you've championed employee voices in the past.
Structure is Key:Keep your application clear and organised. Use headings and bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read. A well-structured application shows your attention to detail and professionalism.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shaw healthcare (Group) Ltd
✨Know Your EOT Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Employee Ownership Trust model and how it benefits employees. Familiarise yourself with Shaw Healthcare's values and mission, as well as their governance structure. This will show your genuine interest and commitment to the role.
✨Prepare for Governance Questions
Expect questions about governance and ethical oversight. Be ready to discuss your experience in chairing meetings and ensuring accountability. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated complex governance issues, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead the EOT Board effectively.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an Independent Chair, you'll need exceptional communication skills. Prepare to discuss how you've engaged with employees at all levels in previous roles. Share specific instances where you've facilitated dialogue or managed sensitive issues, highlighting your ability to be a trusted conduit between different stakeholders.
✨Emphasise Cultural Stewardship
Be prepared to talk about how you can champion employee ownership values and foster an inclusive culture. Think of ways you've previously encouraged openness and mutual respect within an organisation. This will illustrate your alignment with Shaw Healthcare's ethos and your commitment to strengthening their culture.
