About Bloom UK
Bloom launched in 2010 as a network to provide professional support for women within the
communications industry. We’re on a mission to ensure women have equal opportunity in our
industry. By harnessing the power of their real voices, we strive to future-proof their careers,
spearhead industry change and pay it forward.
In our first year, we had 21 members and now a decade later we have over 400 and are continuing
to grow. To this day, we have remained discipline-agnostic and welcome members from across the
broader media, marketing, and advertising industries. Now we have a Board of Directors who
oversee the strategic and regulatory health and success of the organisation. They have ultimate
accountability and are final decision makers for Bloom.
•Chair - Bronac McNeill
•Non-Executive Board Directors - Emily Samways, Hattie Whiting
•Board Director & CFO – Elizabeth Emsley
•Board Director & President (1 year tenure) - Sophie O’Brien, 2025/6 Bloom President
You can find out more about Bloom here:https://www.bloomnetwork.uk/home
Our Board lives and operate with Bloom’s values in mind at all times:
-INCLUSIVE
Everyone is welcome at Bloom. We are mindful of how we intersect and know that diversity
of thought brings much richer ideas to the table.
-REAL
We’re real, honest and not afraid to make ourselves vulnerable in tackling the barriers to
our success
-DRIVEN
We are doers. In work, outside of work, and in Bloom. We believe we can achieve so much
more together
-KIND
We treat all people with respect. We’re considered in how we respond to the industry,
approach our work and each other. We’re committed to Bloom’s vision and values.
-FUN
We exist to make this industry better for us all. And if we’re not having fun whilst we’re doing
it, then what’s the point?
The Non-Executive Director Role
We are looking to appoint two new Non-Executive Directors to sit on Bloom’s Board and work with
us to continue to grow Bloom’s influence, thinking and ability to support its community. These are
volunteer roles and will not be remunerated.
The Non-Executive Directors are responsible for protecting Bloom’s purpose and values. As a
team, we’re working to keep Bloom focussed on our core pillars of mentoring, networking and
fundraising (every year we donate a significant amount of funding to Women’s Aid). It’s our job to
support the SLT to create a valuable experience for Bloom’s membership, helping build
connections which continue to place Bloom as a hugely important contributor to the UK
communications industry.
These roles will act as Directors on the Board, within the requirements of the Companies Act. They
will also be ‘corporate’ members of the organisation with voting rights on the Board. These roles
primarily focus on adhering to legal obligations, overseeing the delivery of strategy and plans of the
Senior Leadership Team. They are not involved in the day-to-day operational running of the
network.
Collectively, the Board is responsible for the following:
-Submission of company accounts
-Annual Directors Report
-Financial undertakings & liabilities
-Legal compliance: H&S, GDPR etc
-Statutory meetings
-Organisational risk register
-Contractual obligations – Articles of Association
-Act within the powers of the constitution/articles
-Promote the success of the network
-Exercise independent judgement
-Ensure reasonable care, skill & diligence
-Avoid conflicts of interest
-Not accept gifts or benefits from a 3rdparty
-Declare any interests in a transaction
The Board represents the highest level of decision-making in Bloom, with overall responsibility for
setting the direction and management of the organisation.
What we’re looking for
-Leadership
Our ideal candidates for this role will have some degree of leadership experience. This may
have been gained in a professional capacity, through volunteer roles or another context. In
the spirit of fostering a truly inclusive culture, we are not necessarily seeking individuals
who are senior in a professional context – but those who can demonstrate their leadership
potential and offer something new to our team.
-Connection
We’d welcome applications from individuals with a strong network of their own. It helps
bring outside influence and inspiration into Bloom. As Directors, a part of our role is to
support our SLT to deliver on their goals through driving partnerships and new industry
connections.
-A fresh perspective
To be effective, the Board needs to be made up of a range of people with a diverse mix of
backgrounds, skills, knowledge, perspectives and experience. We welcome applications
from all backgrounds and would like our Board to be representative of the industry and the
people we serve. We are committed to practicing diversity, equity and inclusion.
-Other specialisms
If you have previous experience with fundraising, membership organisations or another
specialist area which links well with Bloom’s core pillars of mentoring, networking and
fundraising, that would be fantastic. We’re open to suggestions about other experience that
our new Directors can bring to the table which will help us consider how Bloom can evolve.
Time Commitment
Taking on a Non-Executive Director role with Bloom does mean making a time commitment to the
organisation.
-We typically hold and attend 6-8 Board meetings each year – some virtual, some face-to-
face in Central London. These usually last 2 hours.
-On top of Board meetings, we tend to spend around 4-8 hours each month communicating
with our team or the SLT to make sure ad hoc support is there when needed and to remove
blockers relating to legal, financial or commercial activities.
-Bloom runs events during the year, for example the Bloom awards evening. We’d like our
Non-Executive Directors to be present for a minimum of one event each year so that the
membership has the chance to meet them.
Benefits
-A unique chance to help shape and influence this growing and influential membership
organisation
-Help guide Bloom’s strategic projects to give them maximum industry and charitable
impact
-Collaborate with a community and network of women in communications, who are
dedicated to supporting and elevating each other
-Access to thought leadership and networking events delivered by Bloom
-Make a meaningful contribution to funding Women’s Aid – a charity dedicated to the
eradication of domestic abuse
Please note: Bloom may be able to reimburse reasonable expenses incurred during the
performance of Board duties.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter to Gina Miller (gina.miller@bloomnetwork.uk) by Friday
16thMay 2025. In your covering letter, we’d like to hear your answer to two key questions:
-Why do you want to be a NED at Bloom?
-What experience and skills will you bring to the role and our team?
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