Independent Chair and Non-Executive Director

Chair & Non-Executive Directors - EdenServ – East Devon

£500 per day | Chair: c.40 days | NEDs: c.12 days

EdenServ is seeking to appoint its first Independent Chair and three Non-Executive Directors to help shape a brand-new, council-owned company set to transform how environmental services are delivered across East Devon.

EdenServ represents a bold and ambitious shift by East Devon District Council: bringing recycling, waste and environmental services back in-house through a commercial, agile model with strong public sector values at its core. Launching in July 2026, the company will deliver essential frontline services to over 150,000 residents, with scope to grow and evolve over time.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a new organisation from inception, setting its culture, governance and strategic direction at a critical stage. Board members will play a central role in establishing a high-performing, purpose-led organisation that delivers both commercial value and meaningful impact for communities and the environment.

EdenServ is being established at a time of wider system change, including proposed Local Government Reorganisation across Devon. As such, the Board will need to balance immediate operational priorities with longer-term strategic positioning, ensuring the organisation is resilient, adaptable and well-placed to respond to a changing public service landscape.

The Roles

The Independent Chair and Non-Executive Directors will work closely with the Managing Director and Council Shareholder Committee to provide strategic leadership, oversight and constructive challenge. Together, they will ensure strong governance, effective decision-making and the successful delivery of services from day one.

In the Chair we are seeking:

• Board-level non-executive leadership experience in a comparable organisation
• Strong governance expertise and the ability to ensure effective Board performance
• Experience of leading change, transformation or start-up environments
• The ability to build and lead high-performing Boards and executive relationships
• Strong influencing skills, with the confidence to provide support and constructive challenge

Non-Executive Directors will bring experience in one or more of the following:

• Experience of working within a publicly owned or regulated environment, with an understanding of the relationship between the Board, executive team and public sector shareholder
• Commercial or operational leadership experience
• Strong governance expertise
• Finance, audit or risk experience
• The ability to contribute to strategy, performance oversight and organisational development

For all roles, we are looking for individuals who bring:

• A strong commitment to public service and community impact
• An interest in environmental sustainability and place-based services
• Sound judgement, integrity and independence of thought
• The ability to operate effectively within complex stakeholder environments
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills

Why join EdenServ?

This is an opportunity to:

• Shape a new organisation from the ground up
• Deliver services that impact every household and business across East Devon
• Contribute to environmental sustainability and climate ambitions
• Play a meaningful role in public sector transformation

Expected commitment

Chair: up to 40 days per annum £500 per day.

Non-Executive Directors: approximately 12 days per annum (including Board meetings, preparation, stakeholder engagement and ad hoc support during mobilisation phase) £500 per day.

Board meetings are expected to take place in the East Devon locality - initially monthly - with additional meetings during mobilisation. Ultimately, these will move to quarterly meetings with additional committees created – NED’s are expected to sit on at least one committee.

Apply

For further information please download the attached brief and for a confidential discussion, please contact Anna Jay, MD Public Leaders Appointments by an email via the button below.

In order to apply, please submit a CV which should be supported by a covering letter of no more than 3 sides of A4. Your cover letter/supporting statement should outline your motivations for applying to join EdenServ’s Board and highlight how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of our new Chair or NEDs

Closing date: Midday, 28 May 2026.