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About Ice Hockey UK

Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) is the nationally and internationally recognised national governing body (NGB), also responsible for developing elite ice hockey in the UK, and the body recognised by the International Ice Hockey Federation. IHUK has recently entered into a new partnership with UK Sport to put plans in place with an aim to qualify for and perform successfully at major championships, including the Olympic Games in the next 8-12 years.

UK Sport’s investment into the sport of ice hockey in the UK has also enabled IHUK to set their ambitious plans in motion for the sport over the coming decade, in order to achieve both their performance and commercial goals.

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and indeed other major international partners such as the National Hockey League (NHL) have identified the considerable latent commercial potential that exists in the UK for the sport. Combining an existing loyal fanbase with the large North American and European diaspora, there is significant faith in the UK as a ready market for one of the world’s truly global sports. Already the third most watched ‘indoor’ sport in the UK, with the support of our national and international partners, ice hockey has the potential to become a significant player in the UK’s sporting landscape.

Overview

Great Britain Teams: British Ice Hockey is a sport that has great sporting potential. Most recently, GB Men won the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I, Group A – in front of a packed Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, which saw promotion to the top tier of international ice hockey once again. IHUK run the selection, operations and management of GB squads, starting from U16 through to senior teams, across both male and female groups. The organisation will continue to pursue the goal of reaching and competing-well at the most competitive international competitions, including the Olympics, in the coming years.

Domestic Leagues and Memberships: The domestic ice hockey scene has a loyal and passionate fan-base, which IHUK intends to further support over the coming years.  Ice hockey, from recreational to semi-professional teams, is overseen, in England and Wales by the EIHA (English Ice Hockey Association) and in Scotland and Northern Ireland by the SIHA (Scottish Ice Hockey Association). The UK wide professional league – is overseen by the Elite Ice Hockey League.

Major Events: A key part of IHUK’s commercial strategy is the organisation and delivery of major events here in the UK. The nation has some fantastic arenas, brilliant fans and the operational capability to welcome competing countries from across the globe.

Inclusion: As Britain’s population continues to diversify, IHUK is committed to reaching and engaging with traditionally under-represented groups. As part of this commitment, IHUK is working hard to make the sport equitable and to ensure that everyone feels able to participate, regardless of their age, ability, gender, disability, race, parental or marital status, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. You can find more information on this important matter in the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policy: ED&I Policy – IHUK (icehockeyuk.co.uk)

Sustainability: Making the sport of ice hockey more environmentally is a focus for IHUK – it is important that the organisation considers and improve how it operates, but also support its members, players and fans as they look to improve their own environmental impacts. IHUK expect to launch a Sustainability Strategy in due course, led by CEO Henry Staelens.

Performance Pathway: IHUK is responsible for all GB representative teams. The GB senior men and senior women teams enter the Olympic Games and take part in the IIHF world championships each year. In addition, GB men’s and women’s teams also compete at a number of different age groups and take part in world championships and other international tournaments. A new initiative is the development of the 3 on 3 game and GB are preparing a team for the next Youth Olympic Games.

Volunteers: Like many UK sporting bodies in the initial stages of their journey, IHUK rely on the dedication, commitment and skill of volunteers – who are known as ‘Miracle Makers.’ Accordingly, IHUK is committed to ensuring that it has an effective, well trained, motivated and appropriately resourced volunteer workforce to support continued development and growth.

Ethics and Governance: IHUK believes in the principles of good governance, fair play and ethics-led decision making, and is working hard to ensure that these key drivers are clearly visible in all areas of the game. The important decisions taken and overall performance of the organisation should be transparent, with IHUK taking clear accountability for the health of the sport in the UK.

Board of Directors
The Board’s role and purpose is to govern the organisation’s performance, set the strategic director and provide leadership to the executive workforce.

The current board comprises of:
• Chair of the Board
• Two Non-Executive Directors
• One Executive Director (Commercial, Marketing and Communications)
• Chief Executive Officer

Recruiting an HR-specialist INED is crucial to the future success of the organisation, and to ensure all of the key skills required are represented at Board level.

To satisfy the definition of ‘independence,’ candidates appointed to the Board must be completely free from any commercial connections with Ice Hockey in the UK and must not hold a significant role in a club or other Ice Hockey related organisation and must from the perspective of an objective outsider, be viewed as independent. Participation or non-political or commercial involvement in ice hockey does not in itself prevent any individual from being appointed.

The Role

The focus of the extended board will include finalising a new strategy, ensuring that the resources are in place to deliver it, reviewing and establishing a strong governance framework, providing financial oversight, managing risk and oversight and support of the CEO and executive team and stakeholder relationships.

The role is voluntary (non-remunerated) and will require a commitment of approximately 6-8 days per annum, including attendance at meetings of the board, committees of the board and events. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

The length of the appointment is for four years, with the possibility of extending for a further four-year term. Candidates should be UK-based.

The Person(s)

The successful candidate ie likely to be able to demonstrate some or all of the following characteristics:

  • Strategic-level experience in Human Resources, People, Culture.
  • Track record of success in senior roles in the private, public or voluntary sector, with an understanding of the role of the board
  • The ability to consider complex issues with the aptitude to think creatively and strategically
  • Skills to challenge, support and present views in a clear and concise manner
  • A commitment to improving diversity and equality and understanding the needs of under-represented groups in sport
  • A passion for sport and a willingness to devote time, energy and effort to IHUK

To Apply
Applications should be made by submitting a CV and supporting statement (of no more than one page) outlining your motivations and the value you could bring to the board of IHUK.

Applications should be submitted by email to careers@icehockeyuk.co.uk.

Closing date: 14th August 2023Ice Hockey UK is committed to fairness and equality, and all recruitment processes ensure that these values are respected. To learn more about Ice Hockey UK’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, click here: ED&I Policy – IHUK (icehockeyuk.co.uk)