The Independent Chair is responsible for leading the Board in setting the Company’s strategic direction, ensuring effective governance, and maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance, culture and conduct. The Chair provides independent oversight of executive management, promotes constructive challenge, and ensures the Board operates effectively in the long‑term interests of the Company, its policyholders, and wider stakeholders.
The role is a Senior Manager Function (SMF9 – Chair) and is subject to regulatory approval.
Key Responsibilities:
Board Leadership & Effectiveness
- Chair the Board, setting its agenda and ensuring balanced, rigorous and well‑informed decision‑making.
- Foster a culture of openness, challenge and collective responsibility across executive and non‑executive directors.
- Ensure the Board has the right skills, experience and diversity to discharge its duties effectively.
Group–Subsidiary Governance
- Act as a key interface between the subsidiary Board and the parent organisation, ensuring effective information flow while safeguarding the Board’s independent judgement.
- Ensure group policies, mandates and expectations are adopted only where consistent with the subsidiary’s legal, regulatory and fiduciary obligations.
- Escalate matters appropriately to the parent where risks, conflicts or regulatory sensitivities arise.
Strategy & Performance
- Lead the Board’s oversight of the Company’s strategy, risk appetite and business plan.
- Support and challenge executive management on delivery of strategic objectives and financial performance.
- Ensure appropriate oversight of capital, solvency and long‑term sustainability.
Governance, Risk & Control
- Ensure robust governance arrangements aligned to regulatory expectations and group standards.
- Oversee the effectiveness of the system of internal control and risk management.
- Work closely with Board Committee Chairs (Audit, Risk, Remuneration, Nominations) to ensure effective coordination and escalation.
Regulatory & Stakeholder Oversight
- Act as the Board’s primary non‑executive point of engagement with the regulator, as appropriate.
- Ensure the firm meets its obligations under SM&CR, including individual and collective accountability.
- Uphold high standards of conduct, culture and customer outcomes in line with regulatory expectations.
People, Culture & Succession
- Lead the Board’s oversight of culture, values and conduct.
- Support Board and Executive succession planning, including the evaluation of Board and Committee effectiveness.
- Provide appropriate support, mentoring and challenge to the CEO.
Experience & Capability:
Essential
- Board experience in a UK‑regulated financial services or insurance environment.
- Experience within a subsidiary of a larger group or international insurer.
- Good understanding of UK insurance regulation, governance, risk management and SM&CR.
- Demonstrated ability to balance challenge and support, and work constructively with executives and regulators.
- Proven independence of judgement, integrity and credibility at senior stakeholder level.
Desirable
- Previous SMF9 (or equivalent) approval.
- Experience within a subsidiary of a larger group or international insurer.
- Track record of leading organisations through change, growth or strategic transformation.
Personal Attributes
- Gravitas and authority combined with a collegiate and inclusive leadership style.
- Sound judgement, resilience and the confidence to constructively challenge executives.
- Commitment to high standards of governance, ethics and regulatory compliance.
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