Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee Independent Chair at West Midlands Metro, Wednesbury

Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee Independent Chair

Location: Wednesbury, hybrid working options – WS10 0AR
Salary: £500 per day
Contract: Approx. 1.5 days per month, part time - FTC - 2 Years

Help provide independent oversight at the heart of Midland Metro Limited

Midland Metro Limited is looking to appoint an experienced and credible Independent Chair to its Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee, providing high-quality independent leadership, scrutiny and challenge across the organisation’s governance, financial management, risk and assurance arrangements.

This is an opportunity to use your senior-level financial and governance expertise in an influential non-executive capacity, helping ensure that Midland Metro Limited continues to operate with robust controls, effective risk management and the highest standards of corporate governance.

Working closely with the Chair of the Board, Managing Director, Head of Finance, senior leadership team and external and internal auditors, you'll lead the Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee and provide independent assurance to the Board.

What you'll be doing

As Independent Chair, you will:

• Chair and provide effective leadership to meetings of the Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee.
• Provide constructive, independent challenge on governance, risk management, financial controls and assurance.
• Ensure committee discussions and decision-making are fair, transparent, proportionate and appropriately evidenced.
• Review financial reporting, governance arrangements and the effectiveness of the organisation's internal control environment.
• Maintain an open and constructive relationship with internal and external auditors and other assurance providers.
• Review audit and assurance findings and monitor the implementation of agreed recommendations.
• Advise on the appointment and performance of external auditors and other assurance providers, working with the Head of Finance.
• Report significant matters, recommendations and decisions from the Committee to the Midland Metro Limited Board.
• Encourage a culture of continuous improvement, constructive challenge and high standards of conduct.
• Ensure appropriate consideration is given to matters including fraud, whistleblowing, ethics and organisational standards.
• Support the ongoing effectiveness and development of the Committee, including succession planning and reviewing its terms of reference.

About you

You'll bring significant financial management experience, together with the judgement, independence and confidence required to operate effectively at Board and senior leadership level.

You'll be comfortable analysing complex information, asking probing questions and constructively challenging senior stakeholders while maintaining positive and professional relationships.

Previous Audit Committee experience and experience overseeing ethics or conduct matters would be particularly valuable, as would knowledge of local government and corporate governance arrangements.

You'll also need:

• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• The ability to handle sensitive matters with tact, discretion and diplomacy.
• The confidence to challenge appropriately and objectively.
• The ability to absorb complex information and identify the issues that matter.
• A genuine commitment to good governance, transparency and continuous improvement.

Commitment & remuneration

The appointment requires approximately 1.5 days per month and will be remunerated at £500 per day.

There is a minimum of four Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee meetings each year, generally held at the West Midlands Metro Depot, Potters Lane, Wednesbury. Meetings normally begin at 10am and last up to two hours, with additional meetings and occasional training sessions arranged where required.

Some meetings may also take place remotely via Microsoft Teams, so you'll need to be comfortable chairing effectively in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

The Independent Chair is also entitled to receive appropriate travel expenses.

Eligibility

Applicants must be aged 18 or over and must not currently be employed by Midland Metro Limited. The successful candidate will also need to satisfy the organisation's eligibility requirements for the appointment and will be subject to Midland Metro Limited's relevant policies, including its drugs and alcohol testing procedures.

Interested

If you're an experienced finance, audit or governance professional looking to make an impact through an influential non-executive appointment, we'd love to hear from you.

Bring your expertise, independence and judgement to Midland Metro Limited and help ensure strong governance and assurance continue to underpin the organisation's future.

Click on “APPLY” today!