Jump to Main Menu

Independent Non-Executive Director (Finance)

The Role

British Rowing is the national governing body for the sport in England, responsible for everything from grassroots development to preparing Olympic and Paralympic champions. It trains and selects the Great Britain Rowing Team, sets the rules of the sport, and acts as custodian for rowing’s long-term future.

Rowing is one of Britain’s most successful Olympic sports, with 825,000 people rowing on the water or indoors every month – but its real power lies in the community it creates. Its mission is to welcome more people from more places into that community and to keep them connected for life. From first strokes to a lifelong passion, British Rowing is opening rowing to wider, more diverse audiences and building a sport that people never want to leave. This is a pivotal time to join one of the nation’s leading sport’s governing bodies as it seeks to drive growth and the accessibility of the sport into the future.

Role Specification

As part of the Board, and working with the Chair, CEO, and fellow Directors, the incoming Non-Executive Director will:

Governance & Oversight
  • Act as a Company Director of British Rowing
  • Monitor delivery against the agreed strategy and review progress against agreed goals and objectives
  • Set the financial agenda and financial plan with the Board, CEO and CFO
  • Oversee performance, financial expenditure, risk, and resource allocation in line with the strategic plan
  • Ensure that British Rowing maintains a sound financial and resource base
Board Contribution & Relationships
  • Build strong working relationships with the Chair, fellow Directors, and the CFO
  • Bring an independent viewpoint, exercising sound judgement on matters of finance, risk, cybersecurity, performance, resources, and conduct
  • The primary liaison between the Board, Senior Management, and auditors.
  • Participate in an annual Board evaluation and your own individual evaluation
  • Undertake relevant training to support your role
External Engagement
  • Build effective relationships with auditors, insurers, external partners and stakeholders as required
  • Attend British Rowing events and meetings, representing the organisation and hosting partners, sponsors, and stakeholders
Board Competencies

The successful candidate will be expected to:

  • Understand governance and management roles, their differences, and frameworks for assurance
  • Empathise with the volunteers who are vital to the sport’s success
  • Champion your area of expertise and provide leadership and direction to the team as required
  • Voice the requirements of British Rowing’s stakeholders
  • Support initiatives which will promote, embed and advance equality, diversity and inclusion in every aspect of the organisation

Person Specification

Candidates will bring the following sets of expertise:

Essential:
  • A qualified accountant or equivalent extensive experience in senior financial leadership
  • Comprehensive understanding of GAAP, IFRS, financial statements and internal control systems.
  • Strong understanding of UK corporate governance and the sport governance code.
  • Ability to explain complex financial concepts in clear, non technical language to the board.
  • Previous board exposure either as an executive or non-executive
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely
  • Excellent leadership and people management skills. Ability to work collaboratively towards a shared purpose.
  • Strong organisational skills, with the ability to generate a consensus and manage conflict.
  • Be open, honest, and respectful in all communications.
Desirable:
  • Awareness and understanding of the issues facing sports organisations domestically and/or internationally
  • Expertise in change programmes and change management.

Additional Information

Terms of appointment

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The role requires attending six to eight Board meetings each year (held in London or virtually) and serving on one Board Committee, which typically meets six times annually. In addition, attendance will be required at one AGM.

The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.

Diversity

British Rowing is committed to improving its equality and inclusion and is actively seeking applications from qualified individuals who can help bring diversity to the forefront of everything it does. It welcomes applications from all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or marriage and civil partnership.

Process

To apply for this role, please submit your application alongside your CV, a one-page cover letter and a short summary (max 100 words) explaining your suitability and motivation for the role.  After we have closed the application window we carefully assess your application against the criteria outlined in the role specification. Interviews will be conducted week commencing 16th and 23rd March.

Connected Parties

If you know someone at the organisation, please mention it in your Reason for Application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for appointment as an Independent Non-Executive Director, you must be free from any close connection to British Rowing such that, from an objective outsider’s perspective, you would be considered independent. Membership of British Rowing or an affiliated club does not automatically preclude independence.

APPLY HERE

Salary: Voluntary - Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses

Application Dates: From Monday 16th February 2026 to Monday 2nd March 2026