Independent Chair

Risk & Policy Analysts (RPA) is a successful employee owned environmental, chemicals policy and economics consultancy with an international client base.

RPA Trustees Limited is looking for a new independent Chair. RPA Trustees Limited is the trustee company responsible for RPA’s Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), which owns 100% of Risk & Policy Analysts Limited.

RPA has traded for 36 years and has been employee owned since 2019, becoming fully employee owned in July 2023. Much of RPA Trustees Limited’s focus in recent years has been on completing that transition, and establishing the governance and relationships needed to make it work.

We are now at a different point. The business and its approach to employee ownership have matured, and our focus is on RPA’s longer term future. We are looking for a Chair who can help us explore what the future should look like, consider how we can evolve our governance and ownership, with the aim of delivering long-term success.

This is not a role for someone who wants to run RPA or become involved in day-to-day decisions. It is for someone who knows how to chair well, brings perspective and experience, supports and challenges in the right measure, and can support the directors of RPA Trustees Limited and RPA’s Board with effective decision making.

What we are looking for

Direct, practical experience of an Employee Ownership Trust.
A strong track record of chairing a board.
A clear understanding of the different responsibilities of the trustee company, RPA’s board and its operational leadership.
The judgement to support and challenge in the right measure, without moving into operational management.
The ability to act as a trusted adviser, guide and coach, helping directors and trustees understand issues in order to reach better decisions.
A genuine interest in RPA, its people and its future, and a willingness to be a champion for the business.
The confidence to help a mature employee owned business consider and navigate its next phase in a challenging and consolidating market.

Experience and sector background

This is a role for someone who knows how to chair well, brings perspective and experience, supports and challenges in the right measure, and helps the directors of RPA Trustees Limited and RPA’s Board make effective decisions. It is not the intention that the Chair would run RPA, or become involved in day-to-day decisions.

We are not looking for someone from a particular sector. Experience of professional services or consultancy may be useful, particularly an understanding of businesses whose success depends on specialist people, strong client relationships and the quality of their work, but it is not essential.

What is essential is direct, practical experience of an EOT and a strong track record of chairing a board.

We need someone who understands the responsibilities of an EOT trustee and can consider the future of the business objectively. The right person will support employee ownership while being willing to challenge whether the current arrangements remain the best way to achieve RPA’s long-term objectives.. They will bring sound judgement, understand the boundaries between ownership, governance and operational leadership, and be willing to ask difficult questions when needed.

About RPA

RPA is an evidence-led professional services consultancy that has been in business for over 35 years. Our main office is in Norwich, with a presence in London, Cambridge, South West and the North West. Our clients include the European Commission, UK Government, EU agencies and businesses across the UK, Europe and internationally.

Our work focuses on complex policy and regulatory questions across two areas: chemicals, and environment and society. We bring together scientific, economic and policy expertise to provide clients with robust, independent analysis.

RPA’s success depends on the quality and judgement of our people. Our priority is to ensure that RPA remains a successful and sustainable business, providing fulfilling work, opportunities to and meaningful benefits for its employees. The next Chair will help us consider how RPA’s ownership and governance can best support those aims as the business continues to develop.

Commitment and location

The appointment is for a four-year term. The role is intended to be an active and trusted relationship, not one limited to formal meetings. This may include conversations with directors and trustees, advice on particular issues, and additional support at important points for the business. The primary day to day contact is the managing director of RPA.

There are four scheduled Board meetings each year, with preparation and attendance representing a minimum commitment of four days. In a normal year, we would expect a further four to six days of contact and support, depending on what is happening within the EOT and the business.

Board meetings are held face to face in Norwich, and attendance in person is an essential part of the role. Other contact can take place virtually or in person, as appropriate. Fees are negotiable and will reflect the successful candidate’s experience.

Selection process and timing

Closing date: Friday 25th September 2026

First stage: Virtual conversation with shortlisted candidates during October

Final stage: Face-to-face meeting with RPA directors and trustees in Norwich during October or November

Transition: The preferred candidate will be invited to attend the November Board meeting as a guest, with appointment intended during November and transition completed by December 2026

How to apply

Please send a CV and a short covering statement explaining your relevant chairing and EOT experience, your approach to the role of an independent Chair, to applications@rpaltd.co.uk by Friday 25th September 2026.

If you would like to discuss the role further or have any questions, please contact Matthew Lambert, Managing Director, at matthew.lambert@rpaltd.co.uk