Volunteer Talented trustees needed for start-up social enterprise in Scotland!

What will you be doing?

Solas was formed as a social enterprise in May 2023 to enhance biodiversity in little pockets of neglected or redundant land across Scotland. We work in partnership with public landowners, conduct ecological surveys, and design and plan natural interventions to increase flora and fauna. The first year has seen the organisation move from concept to delivery and is now planning to increase its scale of operations, with more sites across the country. We are also exploring new income streams including natural capital opportunities, social investment, product development, and bespoke consultancy work. New board members will work with the original non-executives, dedicated contractors, and our founder to grow and build Solas for Nature.This is an exciting and critical time in our story and we want the best minds and experience to help guide, shape, and drive the enterprise forward. We are keen to attract in traditional board experience and are especially keen for more women to join the board - we currently have a 2:4 split.  Land-based nature enhancement projects are our main business, however we have always aspired to quantify and monetise the biodiversity benefits as a way to increase our income and speed up the pace we can scale at.We believe in re-investing our profits back into the business and maximising the public good we can contribute to. Please see our website for more about solasfornature.org.uk and see the attached document for more information on the role.  

What are we looking for?

We are seeking experienced directors or trustees, or anyone with senior level experience, who wishes to join the board of our start-up social enterprise. We are committed to helping nature at local level, and are looking to build an organisation know for its responsible business practiced and high-value work. We believe in trust and integrity, and to working collaboratively with each other, and with our project partners. If you have marketing, financial planning, business development, product development experience then this will make a huge contribution to us in these early stages. Knowledge of how to build the organisation and put in place the right policies, governance and risk management structures would also elevate the organisation.Having confidence to design and build strong businesses and engage across the corporate and SME sectors would also be an advantage. The opportunity to roll Solas out right across Scotland is dependent on bringing in the right people at this juncture to embed the energy and expertise we need right at the top of the tree - so to speak!  We have several seats available so if you have some of the skills listed that'd be great!

What difference will you make?

We are looking to increase our board with strong experience of board-level strategy and organisational longevity. We have the ideas but now we need the talents and experience of others from across the business world to develop the essential next areas of growth and development for the business.If you have marketing, financial planning, business development, product development experience then this will make a huge contribution to us in these early stages. Knowledge of how to build the organisation and put in place the right policies, governance and risk management structures will elevate the organisation.There are potentially thousands of acres of scrappy land that we could be enhancing for the benefit of nature and many local communities across Scotland. Help us build and create the best business base to be able to accelerate our growth and reach! In the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss, repairing as much of nature as possible is critical. If you have any strengths and experience that we seek at director level, and you have an energy to do well by people and planet then please reach out for an informal chat with our Chair or apply through Reach.