3,800 Jobs

Hertfordshire Futures works to accelerate sustainable economic growth, investment, and opportunity across the county. We shape the region’s economic strategy, championing Hertfordshire as a leading UK destination for innovation - from advanced manufacturing and space & defence to film, TV, and digital.

Through our family of 10 services, we connect business, talent, and investment - supporting SMEs to grow, developing a skilled workforce, and helping communities thrive. As part of Hertfordshire County Council's Growth directorate, we play a central role in creating the conditions for sustainable, inclusive growth.

Our business-led Board brings together senior leaders from the public and private sectors to set bold priorities and steer delivery - ensuring Hertfordshire continues to prosper as one of the UK’s most competitive and forward-looking economies.

About the role

This is an opportunity for an experienced business leader to become a member of the Hertfordshire Futures Board and support its agenda to grow the local economy and create jobs. The candidate must be a senior management post-holder, an owner or part owner, board level or similar level in a business that represents a key sector within the Hertfordshire area.

Hertfordshire Futures seeks candidates who can see the bigger strategic picture, offer challenge and insight, and genuinely input into the process of advancing the agenda of fostering real and positive change in the Herts region for the ultimate benefit of all. Strong partnership skills are essential and Board members will need to be collaborative in their style and approach.

We are positively encouraging applications from women and Black and Asian applicants as they are under-represented. We are actively seeking expertise within these key sectors:

Advance manufacturing incl Space & Defence
Film and TV
Sustainability/Climate Change
Digital

Board members should have the skills to support local economic growth, including the ability to analyse the area’s strengths, challenges, and barriers; identify investment priorities; and help shape funding plans to deliver them. They should also be able to contribute to the effective monitoring and evaluation of programmes, using evidence to guide decisions on funding allocations.

Hertfordshire Futures Board members are to:

Attend meetings of the Hertfordshire Futures Board.
Reflect the agreed view of the Hertfordshire Futures Board and its members in all discussions with partners, stakeholders, government, and its agencies.
Support the Chair by leading on activities relevant to their knowledge and experience by representing the interests of Hertfordshire Futures in meetings with partners, stakeholders, government and its agencies
Actively develop an effective business-public sector partnership
Contribute to the setting of the overall strategy, priorities, business planning, budget and the monitoring of performance and risk management
Contribute knowledge and expertise to identify the economic and demographic issues facing Hertfordshire, its strengths and opportunities and the initiatives which should be taken to drive economic growth
Formally represent Hertfordshire Futures in meeting other bodies and partner organisations as required
Provide feedback to stakeholders on Hertfordshire Futures decisions and activities
Lead for the Board on particular issues and activities including serving on or chairing programme board and sub-groups
May be asked to chair or attend other sub groups
Elect, from their number a Vice Chair

Business Board members must:

Be a senior business leader (owner, partner, or board-level).
Have strong experience building effective partnerships across the public and private sectors.
Demonstrate a clear understanding of, and commitment to, driving economic growth in Hertfordshire.
Show sound judgement, creative and strategic thinking, and the ability to assess long-term risks and opportunities.
Act as a credible ambassador for Hertfordshire, engaging confidently with businesses, government (including Ministers of State), and stakeholders.
Bring energy, commitment, and a strong track record in supporting business growth.
Demonstrate integrity, credibility, and the ability to influence complex programmes.
Work collaboratively, contributing to collective decision-making and engaging effectively at all levels.
Uphold public service values, including transparency and accountability.
Be resilient, focused, non-political, impartial, and evidence-led.

Time Commitment:

In addition to attending Board meetings, members may be asked to serve on sub-committees and attend events on behalf of Hertfordshire Futures.

Typical annual commitment includes:

Four Board meetings (up to three hours each, scheduled in advance)
Time to review papers and stay informed between meetings
Regular engagement with the Chair and Executive Team
Attendance at events and stakeholder activities as agreed

Overall, this equates to around two days per month, depending on any additional responsibilities. Board members are expected to support Hertfordshire Futures as needed.

Period of appointment

Appointments are for an initial three-year term, with the option to extend for up to a further three years (normally a maximum of six years in total). Terms are staggered to maintain continuity, with flexibility for extension in exceptional circumstances.

Interview Date: Early September

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional information

We are changing
Hertfordshire County Councilis undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.