Chair of the Board

Chair of the Board – Equity Release Council

Check below to see if you have what is needed for this opportunity, and if so, make an application asap.

The Equity Release Council is the UK’s standards-setting body for the equity release sector, bringing together lenders, advisers, legal professionals and wider partners to promote high standards, consumer protection and market confidence. Building on more than 30 years of influence, the Council is now extending its role across the broader later life lending landscape.

The Chair leads the Board at a pivotal point in this evolution. This is an active, outward-facing role, combining strategic leadership, strong governance, and credible external representation. The Chair works closely with the Chief Executive to guide delivery of the Council’s strategy, ensure effective oversight of performance and risk, and position the organisation as a trusted voice in a complex and high-profile market.

The role requires an individual who can lead a high-performing Board, foster constructive challenge, and maintain clear focus on strategic priorities. The Chair ensures that governance is robust, decision-making is disciplined, and the organisation operates with transparency and accountability. Alongside this, the Chair plays a visible ambassadorial role, engaging with regulators, policymakers, industry leaders and consumer stakeholders to advance the Council’s influence and reputation.

This is not a ceremonial appointment. The Council operates with a lean executive, so the Chair is expected to be engaged, pragmatic and collegiate, while respecting the boundary between governance and management. The position demands sound judgement, independence of thought, and the ability to navigate competing interests in a regulated, reputation-sensitive environment.

Candidates will bring significant Board-level experience, including prior chairing or senior governance roles, and a strong understanding of regulated or public-trust environments. Experience of market development, policy engagement, or membership organisations will be valuable, as will the ability to operate credibly in complex stakeholder settings.

The appointment is for a three-year term, with a time commitment of approximately 4–5 days per month. Remuneration is £40,000 per annum. xwzovoh

For an experienced Chair, this is a rare opportunity to shape the direction of a market that plays an increasingly important role in later life financial wellbeing, while leading an organisation with established authority and clear ambition.