Greencore Construction designs and builds high-performance, healthy, low-carbon homes for developers and landowners in the south-east of England. Its aim is to give everyone the opportunity to live in high-quality, low-carbon homes.

Greencore has developed the concept of Climate Positive houses. The construction of a new house is generally negative for the environment, with the construction industry being one of the biggest polluters. Greencore seeks to turn this on its head and build in a way which creates positive impact; it locks up more carbon than it emits at the construction stage. Its houses generate more energy than they use and it seeks to create a significant gain in wildlife / biodiversity. A typical Greencore house has a carbon footprint of -27 tonnes compared to +120 tonnes for an average ‘business as usual’ house. This represents a more than 100% reduction in emissions in construction.

Over the last year, Greencore has focused on completing its award-winning development, Springfield Meadows. It has also concentrated on how best to scale up its activities - to have more impact and to build more homes. Springfield Meadows has won a total of 10 national and regional awards, not only for its ‘green’ and sustainable credentials, but also for the best housing development where it was up against some of the largest developers and housebuilders in the UK.

In January 2022, M&G acquired a majority stake in Greencore Construction through its Catalyst strategy, which provides patient capital to help innovative privately owned businesses tackle some of the world’s biggest social and environmental challenges. M&G Catalyst’s investment allows Greencore to scale up and accelerate its growth faster than ever. It is aiming to deliver at least 1,000 houses over the next five years. As part of this, in early 2022 it moved into a new office and factory in Bicester.

With its ultimate goal to bring a community-first approach to housebuilding, and to leave a legacy of sustainable housing for future generations, Greencore is on a very strong growth trajectory, which will also benefit the environment.

At this exciting time in its growth journey, Greencore Construction seeks two Non-Executive Directors who will make a significant contribution to the Board. The successful candidates will be expected to contribute in the following:

The Board: fully participate in Board meetings and work together with Executive Directors to ensure fulfilment of the Board's overall responsibilities

Strategy: challenge and contribute to the development of the Company’s strategy; promote ideas and challenge the executive directors on strategy; approve the annual business plan
Performance: provide oversight of the performance of management in its meeting of agreed goals and objectives
Financial reporting, risk and internal control: be satisfied that financial information is accurate, and that financial controls and systems of risk management and internal control are robust and defensible

Compliance: be satisfied that the Company is compliant with its legal and regulatory obligations
Ensure that the level of reporting to the Board is sufficient, clear and accurate to enable the Board to function properly Understand ESG at an asset and corporate level, as well as regulation, reporting and disclosure

In these appointments, one will be an Independent Non-Executive Director and one will be an Investor Director who will represent M&G Catalyst. Both NEDs will bring senior experience of residential real estate development - this could be from a variety of functions, including but not limited to development, finance, marketing, sales, legal or operations.

Greencore is open to most backgrounds; the key element is an understanding of the complexities which surround residential development in the UK. It is expected that the successful candidates will be able to engage in strategic discussions around the challenges and opportunities of large-scale construction and property development.

Both NEDs will have held a recent senior executive or non-executive leadership role within a UK-focused house builder or real estate developer with some focus on residential property.

Ideally, candidates will also bring an understanding of sustainable development trends and practices and should have a keen desire and interest to work towards its sustainability agenda, which is Greencore's ultimate goal.

Please note: Greencore wants to ensure that it is representative of the communities it supports and therefore, wishes to improve the diversity on its Board. Applications from under-represented groups, ethnic minorities and women will be particularly encouraged.

Reasonable travel expenses for domestic candidates will be covered. The expected time commitment is c.10-12 days per annum. This includes five Board meetings, meeting preparation time and ad hoc involvement as and when required. The annual fee is £25,000.

It will be necessary to attend Board meetings in person in London, having reviewed all the material provided in advance. It is expected that to fully understand the work that Greencore does, NEDs will also travel to construction sites as and when required.

Greencore welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. The Board wants to ensure that it is representative of the communities it supports and wants to improve the diversity on its Board. Applications from under-represented groups, ethnic minorities and women will be particularly encouraged. 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.