Non-Executive Chair

CABI is a not-for-profit development-led organization with a mission to improve people’s lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment.

Non-Executive Chair
Location: The appointee should be resident in Europe for ease/cost of travel and accessibility
Terms: Non-Executive Directors initially serve for a term of three years.  Board members receive an annual fee of £9750 per annum
Time: The expected time commitment by the Chair is 20 days per annum

Our work increases food security and protects biodiversity. Organised under an international treaty level agreement, registered with the UN, we are influenced by government representatives from our 47 member countries who help guide the activities we undertake. These include scientific publishing, development projects and research, and microbial services. We are also leading a major new initiative, Plantwise, which aims to improve food security and the lives of the rural poor by reducing crop losses.

With a turnover of just over $40M per year, CABI operates on a commercial basis to generate an operating surplus which can be re-invested in projects for the benefit of its member countries. We have nearly 400 staff based in 20 countries, with offices in Brazil, China, India, Ghana, Holland, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, the UK and the USA.

With previous experience of chairing a board, you are familiar with working in complex organizations operating on a global scale either in the private, public or non-profit sectors. 

Candidates should demonstrate a broad range of cross-cutting experience, intellect, personal presence, communication and listening skills to be able to lead the Board and support and challenge the executive management team. 

A personal commitment and empathy consistent with CABI’s mission, values and objectives is important, as is a willingness to act as an ambassador and advocate for CABI locally, nationally and internationally with member countries, partners, donors and the wider business and development community. 

If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to discuss it in further detail, please contact our recruiting partner Fiona Wansborough, at Prospectus, on 020 7691 1920 or via email at fiona.wansborough@prospect-us.co.uk. 

Closing date: Wednesday 23 April
Preliminary interviews:  Weeks commencing 5 and 12 May
Final panel interviews: Weeks commencing 2 and 9 June
Finalist attendance at Board meeting:   1-2 July (Switzerland)