Chair, Institute of Swimming

Organisation: Swim England
Salary: 0.00
Location: Loughborough
Contract type: Volunteer (Part time)
Closing date: 6 October 2026
Job Description: Voluntary Position
4x Online Board Meetings per Year
Initial 4-Year Term (With Possibility of a Second 4-Year Term)

About Us

The Institute of Swimming is the UK’s leading provider of swimming teaching, coaching and aquatic workforce qualifications.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Swim England, we develop skilled professionals across the aquatic and leisure sectors through qualifications, training and continuing professional development – helping more people access, enjoy and benefit from aquatic activity.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Chair to lead the Institute of Swimming Board.

You will provide effective governance, strategic direction and constructive support and challenge to our executive leadership.

Working closely with the Senior Executive Lead and Swim England as our sole shareholder, you will help ensure the Institute remains financially sustainable, responsive to its customers and well positioned for continued growth.

You will create the conditions for an inclusive and effective Board that provides strong oversight, supports organisational performance and contributes to the Institute’s long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

Provide inclusive and effective leadership to the Board.
Chair meetings and enable informed, timely decision-making.
Promote openness, collaboration and constructive challenge.
Maintain a positive and effective relationship with the Senior Executive Lead.
Provide support, advice and appropriate challenge to executive leadership.
Keep the Board focused on strategy, performance, risk and financial sustainability.
Support organisational growth, innovation and commercial development.
Oversee effective governance, internal controls and regulatory compliance.
Lead Board succession planning, recruitment, induction and development.
Maintain strong relationships with Swim England as shareholder.
Act as an ambassador for the Institute of Swimming and Swim England.
Build relationships across the sport, leisure, education, training and aquatic sectors.

About You

We are looking for someone with:

Board-level experience as a Chair, Non-Executive Director, Trustee or equivalent.
A strong understanding of effective governance and the respective roles of Boards and executive leaders.
Experience of supporting and holding senior leaders to account.
Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of organisational performance.
Experience contributing to organisational growth, sustainability or transformation.
The ability to identify strategic opportunities and manage risk.
Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
Sound judgement, diplomacy and personal resilience.
High standards of integrity and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Experience within leisure, education, training, qualifications, workforce development, membership organisations or a related sector would be particularly relevant.
Knowledge of the aquatic sector would be advantageous but is not essential.

Additional Information

This is a voluntary appointment for an initial four-year term, with the possibility of a second four-year term.

The expected time commitment is approximately one day per month. This includes four online Board meetings each year, preparation, engagement with the Senior Executive Lead and occasional stakeholder representation.

The role is nationwide, with additional engagement taking place as required.
How to apply: To apply for this role please click the following URL link to be re-directed to Swim England's recruitment page where you can register and apply. https://sepeople.jobs.people-first.com/jobs/details/recruitment%2Fjobdetails%2Fef277d2a-fbb6-469e-a663-1a0aac7adf60

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Chair, Institute of Swimming