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As well as working full-time, many people expand their skills by taking on additional roles within the business community.
The part-time position of non-executive director (NED) allows individuals the chance to get involved in a totally different type of organisation than the one in which they are engaged full time. Simultaneously a company can benefit from an objective outside view, or simply from guidance and counsel from someone who has seen it all before.
NEDs form part of a company’s board of directors, but are not direct employees or affiliated with the organisation in any other way. Instead they are responsible for bringing new ideas and direction to the company, with the focus being purely on strategy, policy and performance, rather than day-to-day operational management.
Neil McArthur, commercial director with Aberdeen-based company MS Industrial Services Limited, has recently been appointed a NED to the Cromarty Firth Port Authority (CFPA). During the last 21 years, he has held senior management positions in banking, the marine and environmental sectors and has a keen interest in business development and company growth.
As an independent statutory body, CFPA is located in Invergordon and deals with activities relating to North Sea oil exploration, inspection, repair and maintenance work, subsea fabrication, pipe spooling and the import, export and ship-to-ship transfer of crude oil.
Regulated by the Scottish Executive, the authority has responsibility for safe navigation within the Cromarty Firth, including its approaches, pilotage, emergency planning and environmental management. The port authority is also a partner in Cruise Highland Limited, which attracts cruise vessels to the firth.
Set up in 1973, under the Cromarty Firth Port Authority Confirmation Act 1973, CFPA employs a permanent staff of 21 covering all disciplines and services covered by the authority. The board – which has seven non-executive directors – has an underlying responsibility to serve the community in an environmental and economic way, and is key to the growth of the port.
Of his new role, Neil, said: “I am delighted to be involved with such a well respected organisation, and look forward to the many and varied opportunities the position will bring. The port is committed to its clients and has a wealth of experience in safeguarding the amenities of the area. Through my involvement as a NED I hope my previous experience will benefit the board, the management and the authority’s stakeholders.
“I think the purpose of NEDs is fairly straightforward - it is an advisory role, whereby policies are reviewed and strategic questions are asked, largely to assist with the achievement of the organisation’s mission and objectives”
Neil added: “I am being released by MSIS to take up this position, and, of course, I am not their representative on the Board. I will devote around two days a month to the job. This time will be used to attend board and other meetings, company functions and to interface with various stakeholders such as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), providing them with information about the port and its ongoing commitment to regulatory procedures.
"From my own perspective, becoming a NED is a good opportunity to give something back to the business community, and to learn more about a specific organisation. I would urge anyone with an interest to find out more about the role.”
There are many advantages associated with the role of NEDs - from offering advice from the perspective of somebody not absorbed in the day to day running of an organisation to the provision of valuable industry contacts, knowledge and expertise – which can all play a vital part in the successful progression of any organisation.
For more information about Cromarty Firth Port Authority and its services, contact the Port Office on (01349) 852308.
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GIVING SOMETHING BACK TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY