TrustMark Chairman
Job Posted: 14th March 2017
Role Commencement: July 2017
About TrustMark
TrustMark is a company limited by guarantee and a registered Social Enterprise. It was established in 2005.
TrustMark operates under licence from Government with the support and involvement of a wide range of trade and non-trade related organisations and individuals, all of whom have a common desire to ensure the effective functioning of the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) sector in the UK and the empowerment of society and consumers to find reputable tradesmen and firms in a highly fragmented market, in order to reduce the risk of consumer detriment. All these organisations (even competing bodies) come together in TrustMark because of its Government-endorsed standards.
TrustMark’s bold vision is for a future where rogue traders are effectively eliminated from the RMI sector because of the widespread recognition of TrustMark as the quality mark to look out for, because of the extent of industry support and take up, and because the consumer will always choose to use TrustMark registered firms.
TrustMark sees its role as providing consumers with choice, confidence and protection. It also seeks to provide reputable trades the opportunity to thrive through reputational benefits, increased business opportunities and quality referrals from the TrustMark website and other signposting channels.
TrustMark’s core values influence the way it works to achieve that vision:
- TrustMark is committed to monitoring, safeguarding and raising standards;
- TrustMark believes in a collaborative approach, bringing people together, building partnerships and working with others who share our purpose;
- TrustMark stands for fairness, openness and consistency;
- TrustMark is positive and pragmatic, looking for solutions; and
- TrustMark is committed to a not-for-profit, social enterprise ethos.
TrustMark’s corporate governance was changed in 2012 to allow greater opportunities for a ‘Board of Talents’ – more Directors appointed with specialist expertise and experience, rather than being appointed as automatic representatives of other organisations.
About the role
The Chair of TrustMark is also a Director and their role is to lead the Board and Executive Team and holding them to account for the delivery of the TrustMark’s mission and vision, while providing inclusive leadership to the Board and ensuring that each Director fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the business.
Any Member of TrustMark may now stand for election as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of TrustMark. There are currently six Board Directors, plus the independent Chair.
Directors are elected for a term of three years, subject to satisfactory reviews, continued contribution to the business and compliance with the Directors’ code of conduct, with a further three-year term if re-elected by the Members in general meeting.
Two Director posts become vacant each year – one for a Trade Member, the other for a Non-Trade Member. The Selection Committee always ensure there is a balance between Trade/Non-Trade interests on the Board.
Role and responsibilities of directors
The Board’s primary aim is to set the strategy and direction of TrustMark. The Board is the sole authority in respect of all matters related to TrustMark, subject to the on-going right of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy or its successors to withdraw its support and with this any right to the use of the TrustMark Mark, if Government becomes dissatisfied with the standards of operation of TrustMark. The Board has overall ownership of the TrustMark framework and core approval criteria, including setting policy and directing its management toward achieving its objectives and maintaining its integrity.
It has the authority and responsibility to:
- Maintain the overall TrustMark framework and core criteria;
- Evaluate and where appropriate approve applications from industry organisations for approval of their schemes against the core criteria;
- Ensure, via the TrustMark staff, that TrustMark Scheme Operators meet the required standards by monitoring their operation and taking corrective action where necessary;
- Support the Chief Executive and TrustMark staff, and agree budgets and associated operator levies to ensure financial integrity of the framework;
- Drive awareness of the scheme amongst consumers and the trade, working with Scheme Operators, stakeholders and partners as appropriate;
- Protect the integrity and reputation of the TrustMark Mark and ensure effective action is taken against its misuse.
Apart from the Chair, all members of the Board have equal status and are elected or appointed to represent their particular area of expertise and interest. However, they are expected to cooperate to achieve the objectives and the overall success of TrustMark, which may involve making compromises in an effort to achieve consensus across the various stakeholder groups represented on the Board.
All Board members have contracts, specific areas of activity with performance targets agreed as part of their appointment and on-going reviews conducted by the Chair.
