Chair/ NED

At Widgit Software, we are committed to creating innovative solutions that empower individuals with communication difficulties. As a Non-Executive Director and Board Chair at Widgit your primary role will be to support this commitment by leveraging your expertise to help propel the company’s success both in the UK and globally.

As Chair, your commercial responsibilities will be aimed at fostering growth and sustainability throughout your tenure at Widgit. You will help to guide strategic decisions, enhance revenue streams and expand market reach. You’ll be expected to collaborate with fellow board members and the Executive team to drive innovation and optimise Widgit’s operations to achieve growth objectives. By leveraging your expertise, you’ll position Widgit for sustained success.

Working with the Board of Directors and executive team you will set the strategic direction and provide tactical guidance and governance oversight. You will play a key role in advising on the company strategy and will be expected to provide advice to the Chief Executive and senior management team particularly in areas relating to technology for good, best-practice Software-as-a-service (SaaS) business strategy, and the education sector.

Time allocation

Three board meetings per year, often accompanied by a preceding strategy day and stop over.

Annual General Meeting.

Further time spent liaising directly with the executive team, shareholders and preparing reports for the Board, as required. The Board Chair is expected to devote up to 24 working days a year (or a maximum of 2 days a month).

Person Specification

• Strong interpersonal skills with personal stature and integrity and a proactive approach to collaboration, communications and innovation

• Having an understanding of the Companies Act, the direction of public companies and responsibilities of directorship of a public sector provider and not disqualified from acting in such a capacity

• Strong internal and external customer focus

• Able to demonstrate a high level of commercial acumen and an entrepreneurial approach

• Having an understanding of employee ownership is desirable, to ensure effective accountability to shareholders and stakeholders

• The ability to work as part of a cohesive team is essential

• Ability to act impartially and without bias

• Strong ethical code and commitment to and appreciation of the company’s mission and values

Experience

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation

• Experience of company governance and working with or as part of a Board

• Experience of external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders

• Significant experience of chairing meetings and events

• Experience working within a business operating a SaaS model