Independent Board Member - Swim England Qualifications

Organisation: Swim England
Salary: £0
Location: SportPark, Pavilion 3, 3 Oakwood Drive, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, Le11 3QF
Contract type: Volunteer
Closing date: 30 November 2026
Interview date: 9 December 2026
Job Description: Swim England is the national governing body for swimming in England.

We help people learn how to swim, enjoy the water safely, and compete in all our sports.

Our vision is of a nation swimming and we strive to inspire everyone to enjoy the water in the way that suits them. We work with our partners to create engaging programmes that enable everyone to be active, have fun and stay healthy through swimming.

Your application is generated using the information you have provided in your Profile. Your CV and any additional supporting evidence will also be attached and made available to the hiring manager.

Swim England Qualifications is the market-leading Awarding Organisation for the aquatics sector, with qualifications delivered nationally and internationally. Part of Swim England, we are regulated by Ofqual and Qualifications Wales and are an Approved Awarding Organisation with CIMSPA.

Voluntary Board Position – Initial Four-Year Term

- Time Commitment: Approximately six days per year, including four Board meetings (3x online, 1x in person)
- Location: Meetings held virtually, with one meeting per year attended in person at SportPark, Loughborough
- Remuneration: Unpaid, with travel and accommodation expenses reimbursed in line with Swim England policy
- Term: An initial four-year term, with the option of a second four-year term

About the Role

We are seeking an Independent Board Member to help shape the future of Swim England Qualifications, providing leadership, guidance and strategic direction to our executive team.

You will help oversee performance against our strategic priorities, support regulatory compliance and ensure the interests of learners remain central to our decisions. You will also provide constructive challenge and support as we explore opportunities to develop our products, strengthen customer support and generate revenue for reinvestment.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with commercial expertise. We also welcome applications from individuals whose professional backgrounds and experience would broaden the Board’s collective capability and strategic oversight.

Previous Board or non-executive experience is not required. Induction and support from experienced Board members will be provided, making this a valuable development opportunity for the right candidate.

Experience in aquatics or membership sports is not essential, but a commitment to our ambitions and values – we include, we are ambitious, we collaborate and we do what’s right – is important.

Key Responsibilities

In this role you will:

- Provide strategic guidance and monitor performance against Swim England Qualifications’ objectives and priorities.

- Support compliance with Ofqual’s General Conditions of Recognition and Qualifications Wales’s Conditions of Recognition.

- Help oversee compliance with relevant regulatory, statutory, legislative and sector requirements.

- Support and constructively challenge opportunities to develop revenue streams for reinvestment.

- Contribute to the assessment of opportunities, threats and risks, considering both organisational performance and the wider external environment.

- Ensure the views and interests of learners, customers and other stakeholders inform Board decisions.

- Act as a positive, proactive and credible ambassador for Swim England Qualifications.

- Contribute to annual reviews of your own effectiveness and the Board’s performance.

Skills and Experience

Essential

- Experience working at both operational and strategic level within an education or awarding organisation setting.

- Knowledge of qualifications, learning and development, and awarding organisations, including relevant vocational qualifications policy and legislation.

- Sound judgement, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to evaluate options and reach balanced decisions.

- An open-minded approach, with the confidence to constructively challenge and consider different perspectives.

- Excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills, including the ability to present views clearly and concisely.

- Ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

- Willingness to give and receive honest, constructive feedback.

- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, encouraging all Board members to participate and contribute.

- Ability to commit the time required for the role and a passion for supporting our future and goals.

Desirable

- Commercial expertise and experience that could help identify and assess opportunities for sustainable growth and revenue generation.

Swim England is committed to inclusion and embraces the spirit of equality legislation. We welcome applications from individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

Where possible, Swim England will always make reasonable adjustments for accessibility to anyone who requires them.

Swim England is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

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 embraces the spirit of equality legislation. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role are guaranteed an interview. We are also piloting a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Candidates who opt in to the scheme and demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. Applicants can indicate if they wish to opt in by answering the relevant question within the application form.

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. 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: Please click on the following link to apply: https://sepeople.jobs.people-first.com/jobs/details/recruitment%2Fjobdetails%2Fc57140be-79f0-4ab4-8793-1a16a7bf6ad0

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Independent Board Member - Swim England Qualifications