NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - INDEPENDENT (FINANCE) – Chair of the Finance, Performance and Compliance Committee

Are you a values-led individual with a strong financial background and a CCAB qualification or equivalent? Have you gained strategic expertise and insight within a not-for-profit or membership organisation?

The Property Ombudsman (TPO) is a not-for-profit organisation providing an impartial, independent Ombudsman service in the property professional sector since 1990. We help resolve disputes between consumers and property professionals, in a complex and fast moving environment.

Our ongoing transformation has delivered significant progress over the last 18 months, improving services for consumers and member businesses, as well as strengthening relationships with key external stakeholders. We now have a fantastic opportunity for an Independent Non-Executive Director (NED) to join our Board.

We are a small, highly focused, influential, and friendly organisation, and this is an exciting and challenging time to join us, helping to shape the next stage of our evolution. Our Board is made up of Members from a range of backgrounds, with both Independent Members, including those with a consumer focus, as well as Industry members. The role we are looking to fill currently is for an Independent Member, with a strong finance background, with a recognised CCAB qualification. The successful candidate for this role will also Chair our Finance, Performance and Compliance Committee.

Our Non-Executive Directors are appointed to provide strategic, independent, and constructive challenge to enable the Board and TPO to achieve its aims and responsibilities. As one of our NEDs, you will provide not only strategic insight, but expert advice and oversight, based on your knowledge and experience. Ideally this will have been gained in a non-for-profit or membership environment, where you have demonstrated an ethos of customer centricity and expertise in enabling organisational growth.

We seek a CCAB-qualified individual (or equivalent) who can chair our Finance, Performance and Compliance Committee, ideally with some previous NED and/or Board committee experience. You will also understand the challenges facing not-for-profit or membership organisations and have some knowledge of and interest in the wider property sector from an independent Ombudsman/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) perspective. You will be an exceptional, values-led individual with a strong commercial mindset and a track record of helping organisations develop strategic partnerships for growth.

As a member of our Board, you will be expected to:

• Ensure the independence of The Property Ombudsman
• Oversee the development of our organisational strategic direction and objectives, considering external environmental factors that could impact on the achievement of those objectives.
• Provide constructive challenge to the CEO, Chief Ombudsman, and the Executive team as they seek to deliver TPO’s strategic objectives.
• Contribute to the governance of TPO by ensuring that the organisation is sufficiently funded and well run to deliver the Ombudsman service through independent oversight of operational effectiveness, risk management, and financial efficiency. Ensuring that high standards of corporate governance are always observed.
• Act as an ambassador of TPO at all times to raise awareness of the Scheme amongst stakeholders, industry, and consumers. Developing and maintaining high-level relations with TPO’s key stakeholders, including those influencing the shape of the property redress landscape to drive forward the organisation’s strategic objectives.

Main duties of our NEDs:

• To attend quarterly Board meetings and meetings of the committees and forums as appropriate.
• To always represent TPO’s interests in the wider external landscape.
• To sit on at least one of our committees or forums; Finance Performance and Compliance Committee, People Committee or our Industry and/or Consumer Forum.
• To make decisions in the best interests of the Scheme in conjunction with, and based on recommendations from the CEO, Chief Ombudsman, and the Executive team.
• To consider and approve the TPO annual financial budget.
• To ensure appropriate governance and internal controls are in place to minimise risks to the operation of the Scheme and support the achievement of its strategic objectives.

As a successful NED you are likely to have some of the following:

• Experience of operating in or exposure to a political environment, with experience in an industry which can draw strong parallels with TPO. e.g., Not for profit, Membership Organisations, Property, ADR, or Redress related organisations.
• Experience of operating at Board level, or at a relevant strategic level, or equivalent in the public or private sector (or both). With experience of financial oversight, corporate governance, and management of risk.
• Experience of providing strategic and commercial insight in whatever roles you have undertaken.
• A proven track record of successful leadership. This will have been gained in organisations that have driven high-performing, commercial and consumer-focused cultures.
• The ability to build strong relationships at all levels. Confidence engaging with ministers, officials, and industry sector stakeholders as a TPO ambassador.
• The ability to think logically and objectively to identify key issues/implications, make balanced judgments and effective decisions.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to offer challenge in a constructive, straightforward, and open manner on a range of issues necessary to achieve our aims and be able to connect with people effectively at all levels.
• Solid commitment to high ethical standards of integrity and honesty and an understanding of the value and importance of the role TPO plays in the sector.
• Experience in organisations committed to building inclusive and diverse workforces. A strong appetite to support TPO in delivering its objectives in this area.
• The ability to drive innovation and transformation and experience of guiding or leading organisations through change programmes.
• Experience of multi-site dispersed, or remote working organisations would be welcomed.

We appoint on merit through independent assessments and an open, transparent process, with equal opportunities for all. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities, including those currently under-represented on our Board.

Closing date for applications: 27 November 2026

Panel Interviews: To take place in January 2027.

Remuneration: £10,506 per annum, plus £4,944 uplift for committee ‘Chair’ responsibilities.

Time requirements: Equivalent to at least 1 day a month, with some flexibility.