Sustainable Ventures Non-Executive Chair

We’re Europe’s largest ecosystem of climate tech startups. Having secured a £3m growth  funding round led by Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital, we are rapidly expanding our presence across the UK and Northern Europe to create the worlds largest climate tech ecosystem by 2030. Our impact on the planet’s climate and its natural resources is being felt more often and by more people than ever before. It is clear that significant changes must be made to achieve the targets set by the IPCC and reach Net Zero by 2050. This presents the world’s biggest challenge and it is something that SV has been addressing since 2011. We believe in the power of commercial innovation to address the twin challenges of climate change and resource scarcity.

As we embark on our next phase of growth, we seek a Non-Exec Chair who can guide the board, act as a high-profile ambassador, and help us build strong relationships within the political sphere, and across the public and private sectors. 

Our ideal candidate is a high-profile leader with a strong personal brand, extensive experience in the political arena as well as private and public sectors, and a proven track record of building strategic relationships at the highest levels. You will bring a unique ability to elevate SV’s visibility, open doors to new partnerships, and act as a key public advocate to drive our mission. With a commitment to supporting innovation and sustainability, this individual will inspire confidence among investors and stakeholders, and mentor the executive team on strategic growth initiatives.

In this role, you will use your reputation and network to enhance the SV’s visibility and credibility among key stakeholders, including investors, corporate partners, and public bodies. You will cultivate high-level relationships with influential figures in both the public and private sectors, acting as a bridge to new opportunities and partnerships. As a public advocate, you will represent the company at industry events, public forums, and media engagements, positioning SV as a leader in its field. In addition, you will provide high-level advisory support and mentorship to the CEO and executive team, using your experience to guide decision-making in key areas such as expansion and strategic partnerships. Through your leadership, you will help shape the company’s growth trajectory and ensure its long-term success.

Requirements

• High-profile individual, with a proven track record in corporate or public sectors.
• A well-established personal brand that aligns with the company’s values and goals.
• Strong network and ability to open doors at senior levels within government, investors, and corporate sectors.
• Experience as a spokesperson – or thought leader – in areas relevant to SV’s mission, such as sustainability, climate tech innovation, net-zero initiatives, green energy transition, corporate social responsibility, and public-private partnerships.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion, bringing varied perspectives to the board.

Benefits

We’re an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive environment, where everyone can thrive and be their authentic selves at work. We recognise that the climate crisis intersects with social and inclusion issues, and we’re particularly eager to receive applications from individuals who bring diverse perspectives, including people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, parents, carers, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We also value different experiences and encourage applicants whose backgrounds may not exactly match the criteria in the job description to apply. 

Recommendations / selection process

• We’re seeking recommendations and referrals of potential candidates, as well as direct applications for our short-list. 
• Short-listed candidates will be invited for interview with the CEO. 
• Candidates may also be considered for our Fellows Programme (launching in November 2024).