Thank you for your interest in the Chief Executive position at ELBA.
This is an exciting time for a new Chief Executive to take over and to help us to formulate and deliver our new long term strategy.
ELBA is a charity which was founded by leading members of the City’s business community in 1989. It has a very clear mission and goals: to promote social mobility, tackle poverty and fight inequality. Each year over 12,000 people from around 100 businesses join with us to work with our network of community organisations, schools, colleges and universities.
Our current Chief Executive, Ian Parkes, is leaving us, after eight highly successful and happy years. We are in a very sound financial position, with consistent year-on-year surpluses, steadily increasing reserves and a strong cash position. We have a very well-established reputation in the business community as well as strong partnerships and relationships in the local areas we serve.
We have bounced back very quickly from the pandemic period, and are now operating at levels significantly above those of 2019 and before.
Over the next five years our challenges will be to refresh and develop the strategy for ELBA’s future, while staying true to our history and origins and to our social goals and partnerships with business. Our strong position allows us to consider a wide range of options for our development, and we want our new Chief Executive to help us develop an exciting five year plan.
You will be working with a committed and experienced Board of Trustees and with a very capable, committed, young and energetic leadership team, together with our staff of around 40 people.
ELBA is a great place to work. We have a unique culture, in which all our people have the opportunity to contribute to the development of the organization, and where there are good opportunities for personal development and progression.
Ian will leave behind a Leadership team all of whom have progressed from more junior positions internally.
We welcome applicants from all sectors; it is not essential to have either charity or business experience, but we would expect candidates to show a clear understanding of commitment to our mission and goals.
Whatever your background, you will be expected to maintain and build effective relationships with our business partners, to stay close to our community organisations and local stakeholders, and to have a keen sense of the balance between producing maximum impact on the ground while keeping a sharp eye on our financial position.
ELBA is a very diverse and inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from every part of the community – our aim is to continue to reflect the very diverse boroughs we serve in east London.
If you are keen to build on this very solid foundation and to add your own skills, talents and experience to build ELBA’s next chapter, please do apply.
Chris Watson
Chair