Chief Executive at Scotland’s Regeneration Forum (SURF)

Take a look at the role…

Welcome Note from Kate Wimpress, Chair of the Board

Thank you for your interest in becoming our new CEO.

SURF’s overall objective is to improve the lives and opportunities of residents in Scotland’s disadvantaged communities. To meet this aim we provide the space for all sectors and players in Scottish community regeneration to share their knowledge and experience; stimulate challenging debate about community regeneration policy and practice; maintain a high status for community regeneration on Scotland’s political agenda; and provide relevant and constructive feedback to key policy-makers.

SURF currently has over 300 members and over 3000 individual contacts in its extensive network of practitioners, policy makers and academics. The prestigious SURF Awards, and SURF’s innovative Alliance for Action, Shared Learning and Sector Connector services, have helped to promote and inform more collaborative and successful regeneration in Scotland’s communities, towns, cities and regions.

SURF’s USP is its ability to inclusively and intelligently connect all players, disciplines and levels of regeneration in Scotland and beyond. It is internationally respected as being independent, informed and influential. SURF has deliberately remained a lean and agile social enterprise, often admired for punching well above its weight.

As Andy Milne steps down after 18 years as SURF CEO, we now seek an outstanding leader to build on our success and actively promote better understanding and practical cooperation between all regeneration partners, sectors and perspectives.  You will have the opportunity to bring fresh thinking, creativity and ultimately make a difference for communities across Scotland.

This role will be both rewarding and challenging as we seek to continue to strengthen the organisation and respond to impacts of the unfolding pandemic.

SURF members range from small community groups to large private companies, and include local authorities, housing associations, health boards, academic institutions, professional bodies, and third sector organisations. Your job will be to harness their thinking, trust, enthusiasm and resources to improve lives across the country.

I hope the following pages inspire you to apply.

Thank you.

Kate Wimpress, Chair of the Board

Scotland’s Regeneration Forum (SURF) was established in 1992 as a not-for-profit membership organisation, limited by guarantee. Since its inception, SURF has operated from two basic principles:

  • Successful and sustainable regeneration is only achievable when all aspects of physical, social, economic and cultural regeneration are addressed in a holistic approach.
  • The people who are the intended beneficiaries of any regeneration effort must be meaningfully involved in the process if it is to be successful in planning, implementation and maintenance.

With the overall objective to improve the lives and opportunities of residents in Scotland’s disadvantaged communities, SURF’s key aims are:

  • To provide a neutral and inclusive space for all sectors and players in Scottish community regeneration to share their knowledge and experience
  • To stimulate challenging debate about community regeneration policy and practice
  • To maintain a high status for community regeneration on Scotland’s political agenda
  • To provide relevant and constructive feedback to key policy-makers

As an organisation SURF prides itself on celebrating the successful regeneration efforts of communities, highlighting the challenges projects, organisations and communities face on a day to day basis, whilst also providing a voice to those who are often not heard.

SURF’s members range in size from small community groups to some of Scotland’s largest private companies and also include local authorities, housing associations, health boards, academic institutions, professional bodies, voluntary organisations and charities. Providing the primary arena for debate on community regeneration in Scotland, the SURF network acts as a channel for information, consultation and policy proposals, based on the knowledge and experience of its extensive membership and wider connections.

SURF’s three main income sources are from service delivery contracts/grants, membership fees and event fees with the first presently accounts for more than 70% of SURF’s income. The second two sources are smaller in scale but still sufficient to ensure adequate political and financial independence, which is essential for how SURF is perceived and how it operates.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be responsible for the leadership and management of the operational and financial affairs of the charity including developing, promoting and facilitating strategies, objectives and policies and ensuring the organisation meets all its legal and statutory requirements.

The CEO will also ensure SURF continues to be a ‘safe’ and inclusive forum for regeneration practitioners, policy makers and academics to exchange their cross-sector experience, knowledge and ideas. Its role is to enhance shared understanding and cooperation; and in the process to inform and influence better regeneration policy and practice.

Click here to View the Position Profile

For more information, interested candidates should contact Douglas Adam, Head of Public and Not for Profit Practice, at Livingston James on 0131 220 2209.

Interested candidates should provide a tailored CV and covering letter, outlining your suitability and motivation for applying to [email protected]

Recruitment Timetable

Shortlist meeting (Livingston James and SURF): w/c 30th November
Final Panel Interviews: w/c 7th December

The recruitment of this position is managed by Livingston James