Non-Executive Chair: Role Profile

Date: April 30, 2026

Non-Executive Chair: Role Profile

Introduction to TEC 

TEC is a well-established Contracting Authority having served the Higher & Further Education sectors as well as Museum Groups and Research Establishments for over 30 years. Mission led and owned by our Members, we deliver industry leading services in energy procurement and risk management, data reporting, cost and carbon reduction.

TEC currently supports ~75% of all HE institutions across England and Wales and has ambitions to grow further.

Operating as a Member owned organisation on a not-for-profit basis, we are uniquely placed to work alongside our Members to develop innovative approaches to energy procurement and risk management. With unwavering focus, we understand the complex requirements of our Members and guide them to making informed decisions. Working with, and for, our Membership we are trusted partners who are actively involved in all stages of the energy procurement and delivery process.

TEC works with its Members to help understand and manage energy consumption and carbon emissions across their estate assets – we are trusted and encouraged to deliver solutions that reduce both.

 

Introduction to the Board 

TEC’s Board currently consists of a remunerated Chair, five Directors appointed by Members, one independent Director, and the Executive Managing Director. Member appointed representatives have expertise in Finance, Estates, Energy Management and Sustainability across the Higher Education sector. For several Directors, TEC represents their first Board role. The Chair brings Board governance and energy sector expertise.

The Board meets on a quarterly basis (one meeting incorporates the AGM). It also meets for a full day on an annual basis to review Strategy and Board Development. All Board meetings are face to face, either close to TEC’s offices or at Member institutions. In addition, the Chair and Managing Director meet face to face or virtually approximately once a month.

The current Chair is stepping down having been in post for nine years.

 

The Role: Non-Executive Chair  

• Chair board meetings and meetings of Members, including the AGM.
• Lead and facilitate the Board on discussion and decisions.
• Ensure that the Board agendas are timely and relevant, and that Board and Member meetings are conducted in an efficient, effective and inclusive manner.
• Ensure that the specific requirements of TEC as a not-for-profit Company are met by the effective participation of Board members and Senior Leadership Team during Board discussions, and that member participation is encouraged and facilitated during Member meetings.
• Organise the Board workload.
• Coordinate and carry out performance appraisals and effectiveness reviews of the Board.
• Facilitate communication between the Senior Leadership Team and the Board, to ensure that the company works in a coordinated manner and meets its fiduciary, governance, legal and other responsibilities.
• Ensure the overall governance requirements of the Board are upheld.
• Be committed to the aims and values of TEC.
• Develop a constructive working relationship with the MD and be available to the executive on certain issues.

As a non-executive director you shall have the same general legal responsibilities to the Company as any other director. The Board is collectively responsible for the success of the Company.

 

The Board’s role is to:  

• provide leadership of the Company within a framework of prudent and effective controls which enable risk to be assessed and managed;
• set the Company’s strategic aims, ensure that the necessary financial and human resources are in place for the Company to meet its objectives, and review management performance; and
• set the Company’s values and standards and ensure that its obligations to its members and others are understood and met.
• All directors must act in the way they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members. In doing so, as a director, you must have regard (among other matters) to:
  • the likely consequences of any decision in the long term;
  • the need to foster the Company’s business relationships with suppliers, members and others;
  • the impact of the Company’s operations on the community and the environment;
  • the desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct;
  • the need to act fairly between the Members of the Company.

In your role as a non-executive director, you shall also be required to:

• constructively challenge and contribute to the development of strategy;
• scrutinise the performance of management in meeting agreed goals and objectives and monitor the reporting of performance;
• satisfy yourself that financial information is accurate and that financial controls and systems of risk management are robust and defensible;
• at all times comply with the Articles and Constitution of the Company;
• abide by your statutory, fiduciary or common-law duties as a director of the Company; and
• diligently perform your duties and use your best endeavours to promote, protect, develop and extend the business of the Company.

 

Skills and Experience 

Essential 

• Previous Board experience in an executive or non-executive capacity;
• Experience of Chairing strategic forums whether at Board level or equivalent Committees;
• Excellent communication skills with proven ability to effectively manage groups with diverse backgrounds and experience;
• Proven leadership of senior teams
• Excellent knowledge and experience of good Board governance processes and practices;
• Energy sector experience and expertise;
• Strong coaching/mentoring skills to support individual Director development

Preferred 

• Demonstrable core values aligned with TEC’s purpose 

• Awareness of HE sector and dynamics 

• Demonstrable externally facing advocacy and speaking experience 

 

How to Apply 

If you are interested in applying for this role, please provide your CV and short cover letter to: 

Adam Clarke – Managing Director 

E: adam.clarke@tec.ac.uk 

T: 07704 665552 

Jo Butlin – TEC Chair 

E: jo.butlin@energybridge.co.uk