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Before you go

Looking to the future, how would you like Hereford to be in 10 – 20 years time? Tell us the three words or phrases to describe your vision.

We’re seeking new board members to help transform our city

Are you passionate about Hereford City’s future? Do you want your hometown to be one of the greenest and fairest cities in the country? 

We’re currently recruiting new board members and are looking for people who have significant commercial experience and (ideally) experience of delivering ambitious projects, or are aged between 16 – 22 and live, work or study in Hereford.

Photo courtesy and copyright of the Hereford Times

About the Towns Fund

Hereford was one of 101 places invited by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to be part of the £3.6 billion Towns Fund to support economic growth. #StrongerHereford put forward a bid for £24.9 million to Central Government in January 2021 and secured £22.4 million later that year to put towards the assigned projects outlined in their Town Investment Plan. The guidelines for the bid stipulated that projects needed to be in Hereford city and focus on improved transport, broadband connectivity, skills and culture; the successful projects echoed these themes. The name of the scheme has changed over the years – firstly being the Towns Fund for England, then the Towns Fund followed by the Stronger Towns Fund.  The Stronger Hereford Board is now overseeing the delivery phase of the projects.

The projects

There are 15 trailblazing projects. They range from a hugely ambitious renovation of the city’s Museum and Art Gallery and a ground-breaking collaboration between formal education and community organisations, to a new, free to use electric bus service and exciting enhancements of Hereford’s pioneering skate park.

Description of Stronger Hereford Board

Stronger Hereford is an independent board for Hereford city made up of a blend of people from private, public and community sectors who all have Herefordshire in their heart. It is a mix of parents, students, educators, business owners, employers, employees, creatives and politicians.

Stronger Hereford works in collaboration with Herefordshire Council and Hereford City Council, and each has one seat on the Board.

The Board is supported by the programme managers Rose Regeneration and Orphans which provides professional communications support.

Board member qualities

  • A passion for the successful delivery of the Stronger Hereford vision.
  • A willingness to devote the time and effort the Board requires.
  • A problem-solving mindset.
  • The ability to speak your mind in a group.
  • A readiness to work as part of a team.

Experience

We are looking for new members with significant commercial experience and ideally also experience of delivering ambitious projects.

We’re also looking for young people’s representatives who should be aged between 16 – 22 and live, work or study in Hereford. You should be passionate about Hereford’s future and an interest in speaking to and up for young people.  

Board members must uphold Nolan’s seven principles of public life:  selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Testimonial from #StrongerHereford board member - Lauren Rogers of Rural Media
Testimonial from #StrongerHereford board member - Will Vaughan of Pedicargo
Testimonial from #StrongerHereford board member - Ruth Parry of product design company, Simple Design Works

Commitment

The Board currently meets monthly online (the first Friday of each month 8.30am – 10am) with approximately three face to face Board meetings (in Hereford) a year.

The successful applicant(s) will be expected to attend the majority of the board meetings.

In addition, the project sponsors (leads from each project supported by Stronger Hereford) usually meet on the third Thursday of each month during a weekday evening and Board members are invited to join when they can.

Board members are encouraged to participate in activities in between Board/Project Sponsor meetings which could involve visiting one of our projects, representing the Board at networking events or participating in a sub group.

The Board has recently launched a Board buddy programme encouraging some Board members to develop deeper insight into one or more of the projects.

The role is unremunerated.

Eligibility

Board members are expected to live in Herefordshire or to have a close connection to the county and to be confident that they can travel to attend some meetings in person.  If you have any close connections with the projects please note them in your application.  If appointed you will be required to fill out a conflict of interests form which may be published.

To arrange an informal conversation, email the chair of the Board, Abigail Appleton or Board members recruitment task and finish groups members Ruth Parry or Paul Stevens.

How to apply?

If you would like to join us please complete the application form and email to strongerhereford@gmail.com.

Alternatively, if you’re applying for the young person’s role, email us with a maximum of 500 words or a two minute video (quality doesn’t matter) in which you tell us about yourself, why you are interested in Hereford’s successful future, and why you think being involved in the Stronger Hereford Board would make a difference.