Trustee recruitment: Help grow the new era of co-op and community businesses
We are recruiting new co-operator trustees: We need you to help grow the new era of co-op and community businesses as we move to our 50th year in 2023 and beyond.
What we do:
ICOF Ltd trading as Co-operative and Community Finance or CCF is the Lender for Social Purpose, lending to ethical businesses since 1973. We offer fair, supportive, and tailored loan finance to meet the needs of a range of co-operatives, social enterprises, and community businesses, across the UK, that are democratically owned controlled by their members. We also provide project and loan management support and consultancy across the social investment sector.
What skills and experience we are looking for:
Post Covid-19 and approaching our 50th Anniversary in 2023 we will be moving into an exciting new phase for the organisation and are looking for both experienced Trustees and individuals looking for their first role, to join us on our journey.
We are looking for new Trustees that have energy and skills and experience across from the co-operative, social economy and community business sectors. Individuals with enterprise, small business or co-op practitioner/ adviser experience would be particularly welcome, as well as individuals with expertise in accountancy and finance, to help us fill skills gaps on our existing board. We will consider members* and anyone with a particular interest in Co-ops, Employee Ownership, Community Wealth Building, Community Business and individuals keen to help us build a fairer future in local communities.
As well as nonspecific Trustee/ Director roles we are also looking for individuals who would be interested in potentially becoming a future Treasurer or Chairperson. And would also very much like to hear from women and individuals of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic heritage to help us further improve the equality and diversity of our board.
What is the commitment?
The board meets five times a year, during the day: this comprises four standard meetings plus an AGM. We typically also hold an in person two-day business planning/ strategy session. Trustees that have specific roles such a Chairperson or Treasurer will have extra responsibilities and will also be required to attend occasional subcommittee meetings.
This is an unpaid role but all reasonable travel and out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed and it looks great on your CV!
To find out more
Please click here for our Trustee Information Pack
We are happy to arrange informal one-to-one chats, or we have arranged a drop-in chat, via Zoom, where staff Tim or Alain will be available to chat through any questions or queries about the role. Contact us for a link.
Drop-in Chats:
Thursday 7th April 2022 @ 2:00pm
Tuesday 3rd May 2022 @ 11:00am
Please also connect with us on Twitter @coop_finance and Facebook @CoopCommFinance
To request a nomination/ application form please contact alain@coopfinance.coop directly. We will require you to complete a short application/ nomination form*, provide us with an up-to-date CV, and attend an online interview if shortlisted. We are also happy to accept video applications addressing the same application questions, if that’s easier for you, but please be advised that videos will be shared widely with ICOF members, if you are successful at interview.
Application deadline is Noon Monday 9th May 2022 (we will contact you asap to tell you if you have been selected for interview)
Short interviews will take place via Zoom week commencing 16th May 2022
Thank-you so much for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you.
* Members and Nominations
ICOF Ltd and its associated businesses have open membership and nomination enshrined in their legal make-up and any member can nominate themselves, or others, to be considered for board appointment at the AGM. This year, the board, in order to proactively address skills gaps and improve board diversity, are introducing a shortlisting and interview process and widening the search for new board members. Any existing member can of course still apply or nominate individuals, but we ask they do so through the process set out in the information above and in the Trustee Recruitment Pack available. Please contact us if you have any questions.