Non Executive Director - Legal & Governance

Organisation: Swim England
Salary: N/A
Location: Loughborough
Contract type: Volunteer (Part time)
Closing date: 15 January 2026
Interview date: 26 January 2026
Job Description: About Us

Swim England is the recognised national governing body for swimming, artistic swimming, diving and water polo in England. We help people learn how to swim, enjoy the water safely, and maximise their potential in aquatic sport at every level — from community participation to world-class performance.

We work with clubs, coaches, teachers and volunteers across the country to create safe, inclusive and inspiring aquatic environments. As a membership organisation and charity, we are committed to supporting the growth of our sports, promoting physical and mental wellbeing, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a lifelong love of the water.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced and values-led Non-Executive Director (Legal & Governance) to join the Swim England Board. This strategic leadership role is critical to ensuring our governance, legal compliance and organisational assurance are robust, forward-looking and aligned with best practice.

As part of our Board, you will bring legal and governance expertise to help shape proportionate, evidence-informed decisions, ensuring the organisation operates with integrity and in accordance with the Code for Sports Governance, charity and company law, and relevant regulatory requirements.

You will act as an ambassador for One Swim England, championing our vision of great experiences in water, for all, for life, while contributing to a strong, inclusive and effective Board environment.

Key Responsibilities

- As a Non-Executive Director (Legal & Governance), you will:

- Act in the best interests of Swim England with honesty, integrity and good faith.

- Serve as an ambassador for One Swim England and our organisational values.

- Provide strategic legal and governance insight to support informed, robust and compliant decision-making.

- Contribute to strong governance practice and organisational assurance, including alignment with the Code for Sports Governance and relevant legislation.

- Support the Board and Senior Leadership Team by interpreting legal and governance implications relating to policy, risk and strategic delivery.

- Participate in relevant working groups, advisory groups or project meetings where legal and governance expertise is valuable.

- Contribute to an inclusive, collaborative and effective Board culture.

- Champion and role-model Swim England’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

Skills and Experience

Essential

- Significant experience in legal, governance or regulatory environments.

- Strong understanding of legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of corporate and charity Directors.

- Ability to interpret, communicate and apply legal and governance considerations clearly and pragmatically.

- Open-minded, with the ability to listen, evaluate diverse perspectives and constructively challenge.

- Strong judgement, integrity, intellectual curiosity and strategic thinking.

- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across varied audiences.

- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and alignment with Swim England’s values and purpose.

Desirable

- Knowledge of, or enthusiasm for, aquatic and membership sports.

Terms of Engagement

- Approximately 1–2 days per month, including Board meetings and occasional working group involvement.

- This is an unpaid voluntary role. Travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed in line with Swim England policy.

If you feel you have the suitable skills and attributes for this position then we would love to read your application, detailing how you meet the brief, and how you believe you’re the right candidate for this opportunity.

Please be advised that we cannot offer visa sponsorship and that you must have right to work in the UK to apply or be considered for this role. If you are a non UK/EU National, you must have an appropriate working Visa to undertake employment. You must also be working within the UK to apply or be considered for this role, due to the public liability insurance Swim England holds.

Swim England is committed to inclusion and embracing the spirit of all equalities legislation. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled people. We recognise that the diversity of our workforce is not reflective of today’s society and we are currently operating a pilot scheme whereby applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds can opt into our guaranteed interview scheme. Candidates that have opted into the scheme will be guaranteed an interview provided that they have demonstrated, within their application, that they meet the essential criteria for the role. When emailing the CV and cover letter, applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds are encouraged to state they wish to ‘Opt In’ to the scheme.

Where possible, Swim England will always make reasonable adjustments for accessibility to anyone who requires it. If you would like any of the documentation in a different format or would like to apply in a different way please get in touch via swimengland@macildowie.com. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, in line with the Equality Act 2010. However, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Swim England is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
How to apply: To apply email with your CV and cover letter to: swimengland@macildowie.com