RDA Boards are chaired by business people, and at least 50 per cent of Board Members have business experience. Each Board has a maximum of 15 members. Ministers have given a commitment that four will be local councillors. The balance will have backgrounds in trades unions, the voluntary/ community sector, and education interests and one Board Member will additionally have experience of rural issues.
The East Midlands Development Agency has three positions to fill on the Board this year - one representing business, one representing trade unions and one representing local authorities.
The RDAs are non-departmental public bodies with a primary role as strategic drivers of regional economic development. They help businesses compete and create opportunities for employment. They facilitate innovation and promote sustainable development. And they improve regional infrastructure, revitalising both urban and rural areas.
RDA board members use their strategic awareness of the complex issues affecting their regions, as well as their strong communication skills and credibility within their sectors, for the greater good. They join other men and women who represent a wide range of interests - business, education, local government, the voluntary sector, and trade unions – to ensure good governance and oversee each region's economic strategy.
Board members’ formal time commitment is a minimum of two days per month. Their duties involve regular attendance at board meetings as well as sitting on various sub-committees: in addition to the two formal committees of the Board (the Audit Committee and the Remuneration Committee) there are a number of sub groups. Appointments are normally for a period of three years and Ministers may decide to appoint a member for a second term on the recommendation of the RDA Chair and subject to a satisfactory performance appraisal. Should a Board Member wish to serve a third term, s/he would need to go through the full selection process again. No Board Member can serve on the same Board for more than ten years.
The posts will be advertised in The Times on 3 June, The Sunday Times 8 June and The Times 10 June. Hays Executive have been appointed by BERR to support applicants through the recruitment process. Deadline for applications is 26 June. Interviews will be 4/ 10 and 18 September and successful candidates will take up post on 14 December.
Further information and an online application process will be available at www.rdaappointments.co.uk starting 2 June.
Applicants without access to the internet can contact CAPITA on 01256 383745.
