At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Tees Valley Business Board to amplify local business voices in decision-making.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on driving economic growth in the Tees Valley region.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience and network with key decision-makers; travel expenses covered.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local businesses and the economy while enhancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must have senior management experience or be a business owner in Tees Valley.
- Other info: This is an unpaid role with a two-year term, extendable for another two years.
Tees Valley Business Board is looking for a new Chair to help drive its work in amplifying the voice of local business in regional decision and policymaking.
The Business Board feeds into the work of the Tees Valley Combined Authority, to advise on, establish and help lead projects, schemes and programmes that deliver real change to our local economy.
The Board has a continuing focus on securing Inward Investment, Business Growth and Skills – helping to attract new businesses to the region, supporting existing businesses to expand, and ensuring that local people have the skills needed to access jobs.
The Board is made up of private sector experts with real hands-on experience of running successful businesses or working in senior positions, with a breadth of diverse business knowledge covering the entire region.
The Chair will be responsible for the running of the Business Board. They will guide and influence the Board at a strategic level providing confident, clear and consistent leadership.
The Chair will work closely with and support the Combined Authority to ensure TVCA’s Inward Investment, Business Growth and Skills offer works for business. They will be a non-voting member of the Combined Authority Cabinet.
The Chair will act as an ambassador for the Board and business across Tees Valley. The successful candidate will influence and network with key decision makers and stakeholders and detail how the Business Board is helping to create jobs, grow the economy and drive inward investment.
Person Specification
- The candidate should be a business owner, have significant experience at a senior management level in a business based in – or operating in – Tees Valley, or have significant experience of working with businesses at a senior level.
- Comprehensive Board level experience as a Chair or Non-Executive Member supporting and challenging the delivery of strategic priorities.
- Experience of forging strong stakeholder engagement, with a proven ability to influence and network with diverse and high-profile key decision makers in both the public and private sectors.
- A proven track record of leadership in an environment of comparable scale and complexity, alongside experience of working with others.
- Strong business experience along with financial and risk management acumen.
- Ability to demonstrate excellent and sound judgement and set clear strategic direction in a changing environment while assimilating a range of perspectives and evidence from others.
- An understanding of the factors that ensure effective business growth on an individual, micro and macro scale.
Further Details
Remuneration:This is an unpaid role.
Term:Appointments are made for a period of two years, extendable by one further term of two years.
Meetings:Both the Business Board and TVCA Cabinet meets quarterly.
Location:Business Board and TVCA Cabinet meetings will normally be held at Teesside International Airport, Darlington, DL2 1 LU.
Expenses:Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred on Business Board activity will be reimbursed in accordance with TVCA policies.
Conduct:The Chair will be expected to act in accordance with:
- The principles set out in the Cabinet Office’s Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out, clearly and openly, the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of individual members’ terms and conditions of appointment;
- The Seven Principles of Public Life.
Nationality:You must have a right to work in the UK, there must be no employment restrictions, or limit on your permitted stay in the UK.
The closing date for applications is 26 August 2025 at 11.59pm.
Suitable candidates will be invited to take part in an interview process in early September.
The appointment will be subject to approval by the Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet on 26 September.
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Tees Valley Business Board Chair employer: Teesworks
Contact Detail:
Teesworks Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Tees Valley Business Board Chair
✨Tip Number 1
Network with local business leaders and stakeholders in Tees Valley. Attend regional business events or forums to build relationships and gain insights into the current challenges and opportunities within the local economy.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the Tees Valley Combined Authority's strategic priorities. Understanding their goals will help you articulate how your leadership can align with and support their initiatives during discussions and interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your understanding of the local business landscape by preparing case studies or examples of successful projects you've led. This will showcase your ability to drive business growth and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your vision for the role and how you plan to amplify the voice of local businesses. Articulate clear strategies for fostering collaboration between the Business Board and the Combined Authority to ensure mutual success.
We think you need these skills to ace Tees Valley Business Board Chair
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, ensure you have a clear understanding of the responsibilities and expectations of the Chair position. Familiarise yourself with the Tees Valley Business Board's objectives and how they align with your experience.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience in senior management and board-level roles. Emphasise your leadership skills, stakeholder engagement, and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive business growth and influence decision-making.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, articulate your vision for the role and how your background aligns with the Board's goals. Use specific examples to showcase your experience in fostering stakeholder relationships and leading strategic initiatives.
Prepare for the Interview: If selected for an interview, prepare to discuss your leadership style, your approach to stakeholder engagement, and how you would navigate challenges in the role. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully influenced decision-makers in the past.
How to prepare for a job interview at Teesworks
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As the Chair, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership skills. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, particularly in a business context. Highlight your ability to influence and guide others towards achieving strategic goals.
✨Understand Local Business Needs
Familiarise yourself with the current challenges and opportunities facing businesses in the Tees Valley. During the interview, express your understanding of local economic factors and how they impact business growth. This will show your commitment to amplifying the voice of local businesses.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Expect questions about your experience in engaging with stakeholders. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully built relationships with key decision-makers in both public and private sectors. Emphasise your networking skills and how you can leverage them for the benefit of the Business Board.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
The role requires setting clear strategic directions. Be ready to discuss your approach to strategic planning and how you would align the Business Board's objectives with the broader goals of the Tees Valley Combined Authority. Show that you can assimilate diverse perspectives and make sound judgments in a changing environment.