SPORTS GROUNDS SAFETY AUTHORITY
Chair
Role Specification
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport wishes to appoint a Chair of the
Sports Grounds Safety Authority in early 2015 to succeed Paul Darling QC.
About the Sport Grounds Safety Authority
The Sports Grounds Safety Authority was established in 2011 to build on the success of the Football Licensing Authority, originally established in 1992, and the critical role it played in transforming spectator safety at football grounds over 20 years. The SGSA is an Arms Length Body funded by the Department for Culture
Media and Sport. The Chief Executive is on secondment from the Department for
Culture, Media and Sport, and is due to return to the Department in April 2015.
The SGSA is a lean but effective organisation. With a team of 16 employees, including ten regionally based inspectors, and an annual budget of around £1million it has worked tirelessly to become a world leader in spectator safety. The SGSA works with a diverse range of stakeholders to keep spectators safe and has strong relationships with the football authorities, sports governing bodies, clubs and venues, local government, industry, supporters and central government. Its ethos is to educate, advise and influence to keep spectators safe. One of the SGSA’s great strengths is its reputation for independence, which is essential to its role as a lighttouch, trusted regulator. The SGSA has undergone significant transformation in recent years and is looking for a Chair who can build on its successes and continue lead the organisation to achieve its goals in the future.
On 14th October 2010 the Government announced proposals to reform 481 public bodies through the Public Bodies Bill. The SGSA was identified as one of the bodies to be abolished, but with a commitment given that it should remain as a separate body until after 2012, when its expertise and functions would be transferred to another body. Taking account of factors such as value for money, accountability, effectiveness and ability to develop, the decision was taken in August 2014 and announced on 10 th November to retain the SGSA as an independent body. This was, in part, in recognition of the significant achievements the organisation had made since expanding its role through the Sports Grounds Safety Authority Act in 2011.
This decision will enable the SGSA to continue its work as an effective light touch regulator of football in England and Wales, and as an expert adviser on spectator safety to a wide range of other sports and countries.
The SGSA Board
The SGSA Board currently consists of the Chair and five other Board members:

Paul Darling QC (Chair)

Brendon Batson

Pauleen Lane

Peter Rowley

Ronnie Wilkie


Derek Wilson
Further background about the Board members can be found at: http://www.safetyatsportsgrounds.org.uk/about-us/board-members
The SGSA’s core functions are to : a) implement the Government’s policies on ensuring the reasonable safety and management of spectators at Premier League, Football League and international football grounds in England and Wales, in particular by –

keeping under review the discharge by local authorities of their functions under the Safety of Sports Ground Act 1975 in relation to such grounds

ensuring that clubs take responsibility for managing safety at their grounds to a reasonable standard
 enforcing the Government’s policy on the all-seater requirement through the operation of a licensing scheme

advising and assisting local authorities, clubs and other relevant parties b) deploy its exper ience and expertise to advance the Government’s policies on safety at sporting events, in particular by
–

advising the Government on sports ground policy and safety issues

advising sports authorities, local authorities, ground management and other responsible bodies or individuals on request

promoting British expertise overseas c) develop and share advice and guidance. Sports Grounds Safety Authority publications are used internationally by a range of sports governing bodies and venues. The Guide to Safe ty at Sports Grounds (the ‘Green Guide’) and Safety
Management are used around the world and complemented by a range of advisory services including:

Stadium inspections

Advice on capacity calculations

Green Guide compliance for new and existing stadia

Training for stadium safety staff at all levels

Conference presentations

Workshop planning and delivery

Advice on developing Operations Manuals and other documentation
The Board has a corporate responsibility for:

ensuring that the SGSA delivers against priorities and targets

ensuring that high standards of probity and corporate governance are observed at all times

establishing the overall direction of the SGSA within the policy and resources framework agreed with the Secretary of State


overseeing the delivery of planned results through the monitoring of performance against objectives and targets

promoting the efficient use of staff and other resources

Receiving and reviewing regular financial information concerning the management of the SGSA, and ensuring the requirements for the use of public funds are complied with.
The strategic goals of the SGSA are:
Regulation
To operate as an effective light-touch regulator, in keeping with its duties under the
Football Spectator’s Act 1989, and to help create the conditions for effective safety management in football grounds in England and Wales.
Education
To provide advice and guidance to help ensure effective safety culture in sports grounds across the UK and the world. To share good practice and to work with a wide range of partners with an interest in safety for spectators at sports grounds. To continue to learn and develop as an organisation.
Innovation
To innovate and champion continuous improvement in sports ground safety. To be the 'thought leaders' for integrated safety management (including, for example, local government safety advisory groups, national and international organisations etc).
Delivery
To deliver an excellent service for customers and good value for money. Prioritise according to need and impact, and make the best use of available resources.
Promotion
To promote spectator safety and accessible stadia. To enhance the reputation of UK
Plc through international advice and advocacy work.
Responsibilities of the Chair
The Chair has particular responsibility for providing effective strategic leadership on the following matters:

reviewing the strategy developed by the Chief Executive and staff for the
SGSA to fulfil its statutory duties, and for the Board to adopt that strategy once it is agreed

ensuring that the Board, in reaching decisions, takes proper account of any applicable guidance or legislation

encouraging high standards of propriety throughout the organisation

representing the SGSA in meetings with Ministers, football authorities and clubs, other sports authorities and jurisdictions at the highest level

recruitment and line management of the Chief Executive
Specific qualities and skills sought

Candidates should be able to demonstrate proven leadership skills, exceptional stakeholder management and partnership working skills, and the ability to set strategic direction in a challenging and complex environment.
The successful candidate will also need to demonstrate:

an understanding of and commitment to the objectives of the SGSA, and of principles for spectator safety such as risk management, multi-agency working, inclusivity and access, etc.

excellent communication skills an ability to act as an ambassador for the organisation at all levels both domestically and internationally

strong networks or contacts across the sporting world, or the ability to develop them in order to advance the objectives of the SGSA

the skills and abilities to support the organisation in business development and income generation work

the ability to lead the Board, and provide effective challenge and support to the Chief Executive

an understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of corporate governance
The mix of skills and experience across the Board currently includes policy, operations, risk management, finance, sports governance and sports stadium architecture.
Supporting Information
How much time will I need to commit?
The Board meets approximately 8 times per year, usually in London, including a twoday strategic planning meeting each September. Additional time will be required to liaise with the Chief Executive, study papers and undertake visits/representational work, such as match visits, meetings with Ministers and strategic partners etc. The likely time commitment for the Chair is approximately four days per month, though it may be more in the early days as the successful candidate becomes familiar with the organisation and role.
Is the post paid?
The current annual remuneration for the post is £18,130.
How long is the appointment and when will it start?
Appointments to the SGSA are for three year terms. Subject to performance and the decision of the Secretary of State, members may be reappointed for further three year terms.

Public appointments to the SGSA are made by the Secretary of State for Culture,
Media and Sport, in accordance with the Code of the Commissioner for Public
Appointments. Appointments are made on merit, and political activity plays no part in the appointments process.
It is envisaged the successful candidate will take up the role in Spring 2015.
Key Dates
The closing date for applications is close of play on Monday 26 January 2015.
Interviews for shortlisted candidates are expected to be held in central London in early March 2015.