FINESSE SEEKS ADDITIONAL TRUSTEES Finesse Leisure Partnership is the trading name for Welwyn Hatfield Leisure Ltd, an Industrial and Provident Society with charitable purpose established in January 2004 to provide the general public with facilities for recreation and leisure time occupation in the interest of social welfare, health and to advance the education of the public in leisure activities. The Finesse Board of Trustees is looking to recruit two enthusiastic, business minded trustees to join the team. The Board are seeking people with relevant business and board member qualifications together with relevant skills and experience. They are particularly interested to hear from people with senior relevant experience particularly in strategic financial management, creative enterprise, strategic partnership working and people management. TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT PACK WHO ARE WE? Finesse is an Industrial and Provident Society with charitable purpose managing the following facilities on behalf of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council: Hatfield Swim Centre Hatfield Leisure Centre Panshanger Golf Course Stanborough Park and Watersports Centre King George V Playing Fields and several Finesse Environmental Ltd other Outdoor sites The Company works in close partnership with the Council, other public bodies, the voluntary sector and local businesses to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors to the Borough. Finesse Environmental Ltd is the company s commercial grounds maintenance trading subsidiary with operations currently in the Milton Keynes area where it trades as S&D Environmental and Twigs Environmental.
THE CONSTITUTION OF FINESSE Finesse is an Industrial and Provident Society regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Registration Number 29635R). Finesse also has registered charitable purpose. The Society s Rules state that the objectives of Finesse are to provide the general public with facilities for recreation and leisure time occupation in the interest of social welfare, health and to advance the education of the public in leisure activities Subject to confirmation of a review that is currently taking place, the Finesse Board of Directors will be constituted from the following: The Head of Paid Service Up to 6 representatives of the local A representative of the staff community In addition Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council will have the right to nominate two Council observers. The Finesse Board of Directors currently serving are as follows: - Mr P Cabon (Chairman) Mr R Loader (Vice Chairman) Mr M Barlow (Managing Director) Mr D Mitchell Mr M Levitt Ms C Dann Ms E Nicholls Cllr D Bell Cllr C Storer Finesse recognises the importance of ensuring that the Board is representative of the community that it serves. Membership is therefore kept under regular review and positive attempts are taken to encourage greater representation by women and ethnic minorities. THE FINESSE PHILOSOPHY Our Mission Caring for Leisure To provide quality sports, leisure and cultural facilities and activities which are affordable and accessible for an increasing number and range of users who will want to return time and again. Our Values The organisational values of Finesse have been identified as : Pragmatism Honesty Sustainability Empowerment Quality Creative and Innovative Enjoyment Passion
Our Aims To provide products and services which are: High quality Fully inclusive Value for money Sustainable Meeting the needs of all local people Providing partnership opportunities Improving the health of the community Contributing to the local quality of life Contributing to the local environment Contributing to local economic growth Increasing participation in sport, physical and cultural activities What does the Board look like and do? Subject to confirmation of a review that is currently taking place, the Finesse Board will comprise 8 Directors together with 2 nominated Council observers. As a Board member you will act as a non-executive director of the organisation. Board meetings are held on 6 months of the year, usually on the last Monday of the month between 6.45pm and 8.30pm. In addition there will be the opportunity for those with suitable skills and interests to work on sub-committees including Personnel and Finance together with a position on the Company s Strategic Health & Safety Group. The Board is responsible for setting the strategy and policies of Finesse and guides and supports the Head of Paid Service and the Executive Management Team. What does the Person Specification for the role look like? Each member of the Board must have:- A commitment to the organisation A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort An ability to think creatively A willingness to speak their mind An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of directorship Strategic vision Good independent judgement An ability to work effectively as a member of the team Nolan s seven principles of public life: Selflessness, Integrity; Objectivity; Accountability; Openness; Honesty and Leadership
What would my role be? Trustees are the people responsible under the governing document (Rules of the Society) for controlling the management and administration of Finesse Leisure Partnership. The main duties are to: Promote the organisation Ensure compliance with the Rules of the Society Ensure accountability Ensure compliance with the law Set and maintain the Mission, Values and Aims Develop strategy Establish and monitor policies Monitor and review employment procedures Maintain proper financial oversight Select, manage and support the Head of Paid Service Respect the role of staff Maintain effective board performance The majority of these responsibilities will be delegated through the scheme of delegation to the Head of Paid Service and other members of the Executive Management Team, however the Board have a responsibility to ensure that adequate processes and checks are in place to ensure that the above take place. There are several roles within the Board that have additional responsibilities. These include the Chairman of the Board and the Chairmen of the Finance and Personnel Sub Committees. The Trustee appointed to serve on the Strategic Health & Safety Group also has additional responsibilities in accordance with the relevant section of the Company s Health & Safety Policy There are 6 Board meetings per year, 5 meetings of the Finance Sub Committee, typically 3-4 meetings of the Personnel Sub Committee and 3 meetings the Strategic Health & Safety Group. The AGM also takes place in September each year. In addition there are occasional task and finish groups and events that the Board members are encouraged to join/attend. Overall the time commitment is likely to average 2 days per month. These are voluntary positions and therefore no payment is made to trustees. Appendix A provides further details regarding the Duties and Code of Conduct of Directors.
WHO ARE THE CURRENT TRUSTEES? MR P CABON CHAIRMAN (COMMUNITY DIRECTOR) Peter joined the board of Finesse in 2005 and became chair in 2008/09. He also sits on the personnel committee and attends finance meetings as an observer. He was previously a career banker and held several senior roles within Barclays Bank. He has a degree in Financial Services (ACIB) and is a fully accredited Business Consultant being a full Member of the Institute of Consulting. Peter joined Enterprise Agency Wenta in September 2004 as a business advisor and is now Executive Director. The agency seeks to develop enterprise and business skills in people of all ages and provide a valuable link between education, business, public sector and social enterprise. Peter is also a Director of My Incubator Ventures, a unique online portal providing virtual one to one support for both new and existing small businesses so developing the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. His current/past Board appointments include Hertfordshire Probation Trust and the local Boards of HM Courts Service and Career Academies UK. He was also a school governor for 18 years at both Junior and Secondary School level.
MR R LOADER - VICE CHAIRMAN (COMMUNITY DIRECTOR) Robin has had a career of over 40 years in Manufacturing and Service Industries, initially with a division of Philips Electronics Industries in Purchasing moving into Production Management, introducing new Team working techniques. He joined British Aerospace in 1982 and was Production manager introducing significant organisational change and subsequently General Manager of the Commercial Aircraft site at Hatfield and in 1992 had responsibility for the difficult activities including the redeployment of personnel, associated with the British Aerospace closure of the Hatfield site. In 1994 Robin transferred to British Aerospace Aviation Services at Bristol as Operations Director, subsequently as Business Director he worked as part of a small team to develop this new business of Civil aircraft maintenance and the conversion of large passenger aircraft into Freighter Aircraft. He was responsible for Sales and Marketing and as such he travelled extensively across the world, opening up new business opportunities in China, Asia, Africa, North America, Middle East and Europe. On leaving BAE Systems in 2002 he has undertaken a number of management and business consultancy projects both inside and outside the Aerospace Industry for business performance improvements and management processes, particularly team working initiatives. In 2006 Robin was appointed as a Finesse Board Director and has held the positions of Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Health and Safety Committee and is currently Vice Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Personnel Sub Committee. Robin s interests are golf, walking and travelling.
MR D MITCHELL (COMMUNITY DIRECTOR) Originally from Plymouth David moved to London in the early 1970s and has lived and worked in Greater London ever since, moving to the Hatfield area in 2007. David s career has been in banking, Barclays and Clydesdale, primarily in corporate banking. He is now semi - retired and works on a part time basis providing banking consultancy services to small and medium sized businesses. David is also a director of a small London based Housing Association which provides accommodation and support, in London and Hertfordshire, for homeless young people. David has a keen interest in sport, particularly football and cricket and as a Spurs season ticket holder goes to home and away games. When not watching sport he can be found in the garden, reading or listening to music. MR M LEVITT (COMMUNITY DIRECTOR)
MS C DANN (COMMUNITY DIRECTOR) Catherine was born in Hastings and has previously lived throughout both East and West Sussex. Catherine worked for Tesco Stores Ltd for 17 years in various roles including some time in the head office in Shire Park. In 2007 she moved with Tesco stores Ltd to Los Angeles, California to support the set up of the US business, Fresh & Easy Neighbourhood Markets. Having spent 6 years living in the US, she moved back to the UK and the Welwyn Garden City area in March 2013. She found the community welcoming and with the wealth of sports and leisure facilities and so close to the countryside, it supported her interests of swimming, cycling and running. In May 2014 Catherine set up her own consultancy business and with that came the opportunity to work within the community and focus on her strong beliefs in social purpose. Taking the Board position with Finesse in October 2014 has enabled Catherine to bring this together with her passion for fitness and health. MISS E NICHOLLS (EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR) Emily has worked for Finesse since its creation in 2004 and started as a receptionist at Hatfield Swim Centre. She progressed to the role of Customer Services Manager, followed by a move to grounds 5 years ago to support with the cemetery tender. Since then her role has developed to become a Contracts Manager responsible for 4 parks, Panshanger Golf Complex and King George Bowls pavilion. Emily plays an active role in tendering for new contracts and new business opportunities. During Emily s time with Finesse we have successfully retained the Green Flag awards for Stanborough Park & King George V Playing Fields, successfully been awarded the ISO 9001 (Quality) and 14001 (Environmental) accreditations and have retained the Safe Contractor Accreditation. We have also been awarded the BALI (British Association Of Landscaping Industries), the quality kite mark for Landscaping works. Emily works in partnership with several local community groups and clubs to promote children s sporting activities and environmental improvements in the parks and open spaces.
CLLR D BELL (COUNCIL NOMINATED OBSERVER) Duncan Bell is a borough councillor within Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. He is one of two council representatives on the board. Duncan was first elected to the council in 2012, and is one of the ward councillors representing Hatfield Villages ward. Amongst his responsibilities on the council, Duncan chairs the Resources Overview Steering Committee. Duncan graduated in Economics from Bristol University in 1975. He then worked for accountancy firm Touche Ross, qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1979. Subsequently, he pursued a career in international banking, working for Chase Manhattan until 1985, and then for Midland Bank, and then HSBC. Within HSBC, Duncan specialised in financial reporting and financial systems development. As part of this career, Duncan has lived and worked in both Paris, France, and, more recently, from 2004 to 2008, in Chicago, USA. Duncan is now retired. Duncan enjoys the outdoors, and foreign travel. CLLR C STORER (COUNCIL NOMINATED OBSERVER) Carl is a Welwyn Hatfield Borough Councillor elected to the Handside Ward in 2000, now representing the Welwyn East Ward. Amongst his responsibilities on the council he is one of the two representatives on the Finesse Board. Carl is also the Chairman of the Hackney Carriage Committee, Vice Chair of Environment and on Cabinet Housing and Planning Panel. I was the last Chairman of Welwyn Hatfield District, and has been the Mayor twice. Carl also represents the council on four other outside bodies. Before becoming a councillor Carl spent thirty years in the Metropolitan Police starting as a beat officer in Kentish Town North London going on to the Special Patrol Group, Flying Squad, Air Support Unit, Diplomatic Protection Department and spending his last fourteen years in Special Branch.
WHO ARE THE CURRENT EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM? NATALIE PALMER (HEAD OF PAID SERVICES & COMPANY SECRETARY) Natalie is an ACCA qualified accountant with twenty years experience working in finance. For the past twelve years she has worked in the Sports and Leisure Trust sector. Prior to that she gained eight years experience in accounting practice where she was engaged in accounts preparation, taxation and auditing for a wide range of clients. Her main responsibilities are to provide efficient and effective financial information and advice to the Company Stakeholders and to manage the resources of Finesse in order to drive the business to be the best it can be. ALEX BEDFORD (DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS) Alex has worked in Leisure for nearly 20 years, beginning his career as a fitness instructor and lifeguard, progressing through sales management to site management. For the last 10 years Alex has been managing multiple facility contracts for a private management company working in the Local Authority Sector, with diverse portfolios including theatres, arts and sports development teams, an art and craft gallery and a nature park. Alex joined Finesse in April 2015 and will ensure that commercial, operational and health and safety KPI s are achieved within the sites.
DUWAINE SINCLAIR (SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR) Duwaine joined the executive management team of Finesse in April 2015. He brings with him over 14 years operation and commercial experience in the leisure sector. He started his career in leisure on a part time basis whilst studying for his law degree at the University of Hertfordshire. His passion for sport and exercise combined with his love of interacting with the public made this a natural career choice. In his early career Duwaine worked in the private sector, starting in sales and moving into operations running multiple sites. During his time in the private sector he worked for many of the major operators including Holmes Place, Esporta and Virgin Active. Prior to joining Finesse Leisure Duwaine worked for Fusion Lifestyle, one of the largest leisure trusts in the public sector. During his time there he gained valuable experience operating a commercial organisation with community lead priorities. ANDY CARR (COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR FINESSE ENVIRONMENTAL) Andy is a highly experienced all round Commercial Director, having had a vast experience of hard and soft landscaping projects and grounds maintenance. He is both customer focused and profit driven and has a practical approach to all works having spent many years on the tools. Andy joined Finesse in 2008 and is now our Commercial Director for Finesse Environmental, the company s trading subsidiary, where he is focused on providing both a quality service and financial success. Andy is a highly experienced all round Commercial Director, having had a vast experience of hard and soft landscaping projects and grounds maintenance. He is both customer focused and profit driven and has a practical approach to all works having spent many years on the tools. Andy joined Finesse in 2008 and is now our Commercial Director for Finesse Environmental, the company s trading subsidiary, where he is focused on providing both a quality service and financial success.
WHAT IS THE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE? A copy of the current organisational structure is provided as Appendix B. HOW DO I APPLY? Return the short application form provided as Appendix C together with your CV to: P.Cabon c/o Finesse Leisure Partnership, 4th Floor, Campus West, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL8 6BX If you would like to find out more about joining our Board, please contact Peter Cabon (Chairman) by telephoning his secretarial support (Michelle Ford) on 01707 357179 or by emailing him via m.ford@finesseleisure.com. Correspondence will then be made to invite successful applicants to attend a short interview at a mutually convenient time.