Join the CEE board and be at the heart of supporting the growth of community energy

Our Annual General Meeting, which will be held online at 1pm on 22 September, brings the opportunity for our members to put themselves forward to join our board. The CEE board guides our strategic direction, advises on our governance and finances, and helps us meet our impact as an organisation representing the community energy sector.

About Community Energy England

Community Energy England is the national voice of the community energy sector, representing organisations from across the community, public, and private sectors all working to put people at the heart of energy system transformation. Our mission is to create the conditions within which community energy is able to thrive and scale. To deliver our mission, we focus on four areas of activity:

• Influence: Advocating for a policy and regulatory environment that supports significant growth of community energy
• Engage: Working with a range of partners to increase demand for collaborating with and investing in community energy
• Enable: Ensuring community energy organisations across England have access to the resources, support and skills needed to grow in capacity, scale and impact
• Thrive: Ensuring Community Energy England is a strong and sustainable organisation that can serve the community energy sector into the future

We are a small, dynamic and collaborative team based across the country and we are governed by a board made up of representatives of our member organisations, with a majority of community member representatives, and one ex-officio post, held by our Chief Executive. The board includes one sub-committee for Finance and Governance. Please take a look at our annual reports and our website for more information on our work and impact.

What we are looking for 

We are seeking individuals to join our board who are willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will help to broaden our diversity of thinking. We are particularly in need of a new board member who is willing to fulfil the role of Treasurer.

We recognise that diversity is an asset and our aim is to drive inclusion into every area and activity of what we do. In our commitment to continue to diversify our staff, board and programmes, we are keen to hear from those who identify as: being from the global majority/UK minority; LGBTQIA+; living with a disability; or those that come from an underrepresented group.

Duties

Non-executive directors are responsible for leading CEE in a manner that supports CEE’s vision and mission. The board operates under an agreed Code of Conduct. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Act within powers set out in CEE’s articles of association
• Ensure the financial stability of CEE
• Scrutinise quarterly board papers and annual reports
• Monitor and evaluate the chief executive and executive team
• Represent CEE at events on occasion
• Contribute to and promote the success of CEE
• Exercise independent judgement, reasonable care, skill and diligence
• Communicate effectively and provide all information necessary for the Board to function properly and make informed decisions
• Use any specific skills, knowledge and experience to help the board reach sound decisions
• Avoid conflicts of interests and recuse oneself when conflicts arise

Terms of appointment

Board meetings take place four times a year, a mix of meeting online and in-person. In addition, board members attend an annual strategy development day.

Directors will be supported to develop in their role. Time requirements are likely to be 16 days p.a. for core activities, plus additional time for attendance at CEE events, AGM, etc.

Currently directors are appointed for three years, at which point they resign but can put themselves forward for re-election a further two times.

Any travel and reasonable expenses undertaken for work done on behalf of CEE are reimbursed. To ensure that CEE board membership is as accessible as possible, all directors are offered a £1,000 annual remuneration, subject to CEE’s finances being sufficiently healthy. 

How to apply

To arrange an informal chat about the role with our chief executive, Matt Vickers, or any of our board members before applying, please email [email protected].

Any member who wishes to stand as a director is asked to email Lisa West by 10am on Tuesday 1 September with their name, photo, affiliation and in up to 250 words:

• Their aspirations for CEE and the board
• Their proposed contribution, paying particular attention to the skills and knowledge areas that we are seeking this year.

This application will then be put forward to be voted on by members at our AGM on 22 September.