Non-Executive Chair

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Non-Executive Chair to help lead the organisation through a period of transformational change.

The MCA is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport (DfT) responsible for developing and implementing the Government’s strategy for maritime safety and environmental protection, in close collaboration with the DfT and with a wide range of customers and other stakeholders. This is achieved through education, prevention, regulation, inspection and - when required - by initiating and coordinating maritime Search and Rescue through HM Coastguard and other emergency responders. In addition, the Agency runs the economically vital UK Ship Register and certifies seafarers. It provides survey and inspection capabilities to check the safety of ships operating in British waters and UK-registered ships abroad and administer the law in relation to wreck and salvage.

The MCA’s vision is to provide the best coastguard and maritime regulator services in the world, to grow the UK maritime sector through its services and the UK Flag, and to show leadership in shipping decarbonisation. It has a dedicated team of some 1,100 professional staff and 3,500 Coastguard volunteers and an annual budget of around £441m plus £175m for Search and Rescue helicopters. Many of the activities of the MCA support the UK’s wider maritime sector which makes a direct contribution of at least £11bn to the economy while directly supporting more than 113,000 jobs and 6,600 businesses.

The Non-Executive Chair will help the Agency to meet its challenging objectives and to strongly support the delivery of DfT’s ambitious Maritime strategic priorities. It offers the right candidate the opportunity to play a major role in an ambitious agenda of internal transformation and external impact in support of DfT.

The MCA is looking for someone who has proven recent experience and success in working at board level in a non-executive role within a large, complex organisation who will challenge and support the Agency as it progresses its strategy and turns it into delivery. The breadth to communicate and influence across a wide range of stakeholders is essential.

Start date:                      April 2024

Length of appointment:   3-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of extension

Time commitment:          35 days per annum

Remuneration:                £23,333

Expenses:                       Travel and subsistence at standard Civil Service rates

For more information on how to apply and to download the application pack please visit: www.odgers.com/90738