AHDB is seeking an Independent Board Member to serve as Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Board (AHDB) is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Established in 2008 under the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Order 2008, it is funded through a statutory levy collected from farmers, growers and other parts of the agricultural supply chain across four sectors.
AHDB’s mission is to support these sectors in becoming more sustainable and competitive. It achieves this by delivering high value through strategic investment, transparency and active industry engagement. Key activities include providing market intelligence, conducting research and development, facilitating market access and promoting knowledge transfer initiatives that empower farmers and growers to succeed in an evolving landscape.
Role:
The postholder’s primary responsibility is to bring audit and risk expertise to the organisation and ensure effective oversight in this critical area. While contributing fully to the wider work of the board, the focus of the role is on providing assurance, scrutiny and independent challenge to the board and Accounting Officer regarding AHDB’s governance, risk management, financial management and internal control.
The board sets the overall direction for the organisation and works with sector councils, which are responsible for shaping priorities within their sectors. They ensure strong governance, financial stewardship and risk management, and maintain constructive relationships with government, industry stakeholders and levy payers to support a resilient and competitive agricultural sector.
Time commitment of 36 days per year (which are held in person approximately 6 times a year), with a non-pensionable remuneration of £12,600 per annum.
Responsibilities:
* Chairing the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee and ensuring it operates effectively, providing clear reports and recommendations to the board
* Leading discussions with the committee on risk, financial management, governance and internal control
* Overseeing, on behalf of the board, the internal audit programme – ensuring it is risk based, proportionate and delivers value – by reviewing plans agreed between the Head of Internal Audit (outsourced provider) and the Accounting Officer
* Considering the findings and implications of external audit (NAO) work, together with management responses, and advise the board on the approval of the Annual Report and Accounts based on assurance gathered throughout the year
* Providing independent scrutiny of AHDB’s governance, risk management and internal control framework, ensuring issues are raised and addressed appropriately by management
* Challenging and scrutinising compliance information presented by management in relation to statutory, regulatory and internal control obligations, including financial propriety and value for money
* Ensuring that AHDB’s use of levy-funded resources is transparent, responsible and consistent with the principles of good governance and Managing Public Money
* Maintaining independence of judgment and ensuring that the committee provides robust, evidence-based challenge to the Executive where necessary
* Contributing as a board member to the wider governance of AHDB, including constructive challenge to fellow board members and support for AHDB’s strategic direction and statutory objectives
Essential Criteria:
* A professional qualification in accountancy (e.g. CIPFA, ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA) or significant senior-level financial and audit experience and a strong understanding of assurance and risk frameworks and how they support organisational accountability
* Significant expertise in accounting and audit functions, with a strong understanding of how internal and external audit functions operate in a complex organisation
* Sound judgment, analysis and decision-making skills, and the ability to provide strategic advice to the organisation and challenge in the management of risk and prioritisation of limited resource
* Board-level experience, including experience chairing, or contributing to, an Audit and Risk Committee (in an NDPB, public sector or regulated environment) and ability to communicate clearly and convincingly within the organisation and with stakeholders, the media and a range of public and private sector organisations
Desirable criteria:
* Knowledge of corporate governance frameworks (HM Treasury’s Orange Book, Managing Public Money, the Code of Good Practice for Corporate Governance in Arm’s Length Bodies)
* Experience of current corporate governance best practice
* An engaging and collaborative working style, with the ability to adapt to different partners while demonstrating leadership and influencing skills
Application process:
Please only apply via the Public Appointment Website by 12:00pm on 8.12.25, quoting reference number APPT10-25: https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/9034?titleSearch=independent+board+member…
All candidates are required to submit:
* A CV of no more than two sides of A4 with education, professional qualifications and employment history and the names and contact details for two referees, together with their statement of suitability
* A supporting statement of suitability (indicating at the top the reference number of the role you are applying for) which should give evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for this role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria (maximum of two pages)
* Equality information
* Information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the Disability Confident scheme before you submit your application.
The shortlisting process is expected to have been completed by late December 2025. We anticipate panel interviews to take place in late January 2026.
For further information on the appointments process, please email the Public Appointments team: publicappts@defra.gov.uk; rebecca.loveday@ahdb.org.uk