Independent Chair Role Description
Summary
The SoundPound Group Limited is a consortium of credit unions working together to increase the reach, impact and long term sustainability of ethical finance across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Originally formed in 2016 by Greater Manchester community credit unions, SoundPound has evolved into a formally constituted co operative and strategic collaboration vehicle for the sector. Today the consortium brings together 12 credit unions across community, employer and association based models, collectively serving more than 160,000 members across the region.
SoundPound exists to help credit unions achieve together what would be difficult to achieve alone. This includes shared services, collaborative product development, strategic partnerships, marketing and digital infrastructure, social impact measurement and influencing policy around financial inclusion and community wealth building.
The Independent Chair plays a vital role in helping SoundPound navigate this next phase of growth and development. The role supports effective governance, strategic leadership and productive collaboration across the consortium while helping raise the profile and influence of SoundPound externally.
Particular focus will include:
- Oversight and evolution of governance arrangements
- Supporting strategic growth and long term sustainability
- Strengthening collaboration and trust between member credit unions
- Supporting the development of shared services and collective infrastructure
- Helping position SoundPound as a leading voice for ethical and community finance
- Supporting relationships with regional and national stakeholders
- Championing innovation and systems change within financial inclusion and the social economy
Context
SoundPound was established in Greater Manchester in 2016 as a collaborative initiative between community credit unions. Over time the consortium has built a strong reputation for innovation, partnership working and practical collaboration.
Key achievements to date include:
- Reaching Round 2 of the national NESTA development programme
- Delivering Greater Manchester’s first Credit Union Awareness Month
- Launching collaborative lending products during the Cost of Living crisis
- Securing investment support from Fair4All Finance
- Building strategic relationships with Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Mayor of Greater Manchester
- Launching the Bee Network annual travel ticket loan scheme in partnership with TfGM
- Developing collaborative green lending and retrofit finance pilots
- Supporting social enterprise lending through partnership working
- Establishing SoundPound Group Limited as a Registered Co operative Society with the FCA
- Expanding membership to include employer and association based credit unions
- Beginning exploratory partnership discussions with neighbouring regional alliances including Merseyside
SoundPound is now entering a new stage of development. The consortium is exploring how shared infrastructure, collaborative delivery models and regional partnerships can help strengthen the future sustainability and reach of credit unions across the North of England.
Current strategic priorities include:
- Development of a shared digital and customer onboarding journey
- Shared procurement and operational efficiencies
- Employer engagement and payroll saving growth
- Collaborative marketing and sector visibility
- Social impact measurement and reporting
- Green and affordable home finance
- Financial inclusion partnerships and regional influence
- Governance development and long term sustainability planning
- Exploration of wider regional collaboration models
The consortium currently operates through a range of active workstreams supported by the Executive Lead, Project officer and member credit unions.
The Role of Independent Chair
The Independent Chair provides strategic leadership and governance oversight for SoundPound Group Limited.
This is a pivotal stage in SoundPound’s development. The organisation is moving from an informal collaboration model towards a more mature shared infrastructure and strategic delivery model capable of supporting long term sector growth.
The Chair will help guide this transition while ensuring SoundPound remains rooted in its co operative values, collaborative ethos and commitment to community impact.
The role requires somebody who can balance diplomacy with challenge, help maintain strong relationships across a diverse membership and support ambitious but practical strategic development.
The successful candidate must be able to attend Board meetings both virtually and in person across Greater Manchester.
Core responsibilities include:
- Leading an effective and well governed Board
- Supporting the development and delivery of SoundPound’s long term strategic direction
- Ensuring SoundPound maintains strong governance, accountability and risk management arrangements
- Supporting positive and productive relationships between member credit unions
- Providing constructive challenge and support to the Executive Lead and Project Delivery Manager
- Helping shape SoundPound’s future operating and delivery model
- Championing SoundPound externally and supporting relationship development with stakeholders and funders
- Supporting SoundPound’s positioning within wider discussions around financial inclusion, social economy and community wealth building
- Ensuring the organisation remains focused on practical delivery alongside strategic ambition
Time Commitment
The estimated time commitment is approximately 2 days per month, though some flexibility may be required during periods of strategic development or major partnership activity.
This is expected to include:
- Preparation for and attendance at Board meetings
- Strategic planning and governance discussions
- Engagement with key stakeholders and partners
- Supporting the Executive Lead and Project Officer
- Attendance at occasional external events and meetings
- Supporting workstream development where appropriate
Board meetings are generally held every two months, with additional strategy sessions and stakeholder meetings arranged as required.
Remuneration
Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses relating to governance activity may be claimed in line with SoundPound policy.
The role is a governance and strategic leadership position and does not constitute employment.
Skills and Experience
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Strong leadership and chairing skills with the ability to facilitate effective and inclusive decision making along with strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and consensus across partnerships
Experience of governance, strategic planning and organisational development and the ability to translate complex issues into clear strategic direction
An understanding of risk, sustainability and organisational resilience
Experience of influencing, partnership working and stakeholder engagement with the ability to both support and constructively challenge senior leaders
A commitment to financial inclusion, co operative values and the role of community finance
We would particularly welcome interest from individuals with experience in:
Financial services, ethical finance or co operative development
Social enterprise and community wealth building
Governance and organisational transformation
Shared services or collaborative business models
Public policy, local government or regional economic development
Digital transformation and customer experience
Social investment and growth strategy
Chairing complex partnerships or multi stakeholder organisations
Supporting organisations through periods of growth and change
Our Approach
SoundPound is ambitious but collaborative. We are interested in practical people who can help us build something sustainable, values driven and genuinely useful for credit unions and the communities they serve.
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who understand that the future of community finance will require both strong local relationships and smarter shared infrastructure, and who can help us navigate that balance thoughtfully and constructively.
To talk to us about this role or to apply with a covering letter please contact us on executive@soundpoundgroup.co.uk or Caeryn@soundpoundgroup.co.uk. The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 3rd July