Chair of the Board of Trustees

About us:

Do you have a passion for financial capability and experience as Chair or Vice Chair on a Board or Committee?

At The London Foundation for Banking & Finance (LFBF), our story began in 1879 when a group of visionary bank workers set out to elevate professional standards and leadership in the industry. Over the past 145 years, we became a recognised leader in financial services education, offering industry-leading qualifications and setting the gold standard for professional competency.

In 2023 we entered an exciting new chapter as an independent charity, revitalising and refocusing our mission to improve financial capability and empower professionals in the sector.

Our charitable objective is the advancement of knowledge and education in financial services, and to carry out research and publish useful results for the benefit of the public. In doing so, we seek to improve levels of financial literacy and skills, as well as support those working within or considering a career in the financial services industry.

Our objective is just as relevant, perhaps even more so, today as it has been in our long history. If you're inspired to make a real impact and contribute to the advancement of financial knowledge for the benefit of society, we want to hear from you.

About the role:

The current Chair, Professor Steven Haberman, is approaching the end of his period of tenure and we are therefore looking for a new Chair to succeed him.

Our Chair is expected to be independent on appointment and to remain independent throughout their tenure. The primary responsibilities of the Chair are as follows:

• To promote and oversee the highest standards of governance within the Board and the London Foundation for Banking & Finance.
• To lead the Board and in particular to lead discussions on all proposals put forward by the CEO and the senior executive team.
• Together with the CEO, to set an agenda for the Board which takes full account of the issues facing the London Foundation for Banking & Finance and the concerns of Board members and:
  • is focused on strategic matters
  • is forward looking and
  • evaluates and oversees current business.
• To maintain a proper process to ensure all matters for which the Board has responsibility are considered by the Board.
• To ensure that Board members receive accurate, timely and clear information to enable them to monitor performance, make sound decisions and give appropriate advice to promote the success of the London Foundation for Banking & Finance.
• To manage Board meetings so that sufficient time is allowed for the discussion of complex or contentious issues and that all Board members' contributions are encouraged and valued.
• To chair, serve on or attend such Committees of the Board as the Board may determine.  Currently the Chair of the Board also acts as Chair of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee.
• Supported by the Nomination & Remuneration Committee, to plan governor succession.
• To encourage active engagement by all members of the Board.
• To create the conditions for overall Board and individual governor effectiveness including promotion of an appropriate induction programme for new governors, creating the opportunity for the maintenance of the relevant skills and knowledge required to fulfil the governors’ roles on the Board and its Committees and ensuring the Board undertakes a regular evaluation of its own performance, that of its Committees and that of individual trustees, including the Chair.
• To address the development needs of the Board as a whole with a view to enhancing its overall effectiveness.
• To be a sounding board and mentor to the CEO.
• If a new CEO is required, to lead the process for identifying suitable successors and to chair the Nomination & Remuneration Committee recommending a candidate or candidates to the Board.
• To represent the London Foundation for Banking & Finance with external parties where required (in addition to the CEO). In particular this is envisaged in relation to fund raising activities.

You will have:

• Worked in a previous Chair or Vice Chair role, ideally with experience in financial services, education or  technology.
• Capable of working in tandem with CEO.
• Enthusiasm for education.
• Aptitude for using leading edge technology.
• An entrepreneurial mindset.
• Integrity, probity and high ethical standards.
• Sound judgement in a variety of contexts.
• Ability and willingness to challenge and probe.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with an inquiring mind and ability to listen to the views of others, question intelligently and debate and challenge constructively.
• Ability to bring a high degree of objectivity to board deliberations.
• A strong strategic thinker (although the strategy has already been established).
• Complex problem solving and critical reasoning skills, evaluating and analysing information.
• Independence.
• Well connected and able to nurture existing relationships for sponsorship and funding opportunities.
• Outstanding communication and advocacy skills.

Further details including the anticipated time commitment for this role can be found within the  Recruitment pack. To access the Recruitment pack, click on Quick Apply.