Non-Executive Director (Audit & Risk) – Scottish Rail Holdings

About Us

Since 1st April 2022, ScotRail services have been provided within the public sector by an arm’s length company owned and controlled by the Scottish Government. This holding company is Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd. (SRH).

Scottish Rail Holdings is a limited company wholly owned and controlled by the Scottish Ministers that has been set up with the express purpose of overseeing the governance of train operating companies under Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993.

We act as the “holding company of the owning group” of the operating company and provide an oversight interface between Transport Scotland as strategic policymakers and the direct management of train service delivery for ScotRail Trains (SRT).

Overall Accountability

The role will be part of the Sottish Rail Holdings (SRH) Board, bringing an independent voice to ensure the Board is as effective as possible, with healthy challenge as appropriate. The role holder will provide an external and independent view on the running of the business, governance and best boardroom practice. The role will also have a specific function on the Board to support on all matters relating to risk and effective risk management, including chairing the Board Audit and Risk Committee.

Person Specification

Do you have the skills necessary to work as a Board member? Do you have strong leadership skills and a good working knowledge of best practice in financial scrutiny and managing risk? Do you want to be a central part of a Board focussed on delivery, strong governance and diversity? Are you able to support an organisation in taking policy and strategy and shaping it into tangible actions and outcomes?

Do you have an understanding of constitutional devolution and how this affects the delivery of public services in Scotland?

If the answers to the questions above are yes, then becoming the an Non-Executive Director (Audit & Risk) may be the right opportunity for you.

In this post you will be entrusted with giving constructive challenge, strategic guidance, offering specialist advice and holding management to account.

• Safeguarding the finances and resources of SRH, demonstrating due skill, care and good faith in exercising fiduciary responsibility
• Attending SRH board meetings, providing original input and contribution and, where appropriate, constructive challenge of processes and procedures
• They will bring a specific focus on the area of risk management to the Board, including best practice in the identification and management of risks, ensuring that all Board decisions are considered with respect to risk and that where mitigations are required these are both agreed and implemented in a timely manner.
• Identifying and advising upon new challenges, initiatives and market opportunities, and to develop and refocus strategic plans of SRH
• Providing independent oversight and challenge and ensuring, with the Board SRH as a whole, the effective implementation of Board and Committee decisions
• Providing scrutiny of executive and business performance in meeting the agreed SRH strategy, plan, goals and objectives, as well as monitoring reporting of performance
• Ensuring, with the Board as a whole, that SRH is operating within the risk appetite and Risk Management Framework agreed by the Board

The role holder will attend the following Boards and Committees: chair the SRH Audit and Risk Committee, SRH Board, Scotland’s Railway Alliance Board, Scottish Rail Holdings Limited Nominations and Remuneration Committee

Specialist Expertise

A recognised accountancy qualification (CCAB or equivalent) and knowledge and experience of corporate governance, audit and risk committees and risk management. Financial experience in central government or public sector finance would also be an advantage.

• Excellent understanding of finance-related performance standards
• Proven ability to develop and execute financial strategies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of corporate governance and regulatory best practices
• Organisational and leadership skills

• Any travel and subsistence costs
• Reasonable childcare or carer expenses
• Disability-related reasonable adjustments