HSI Board seeks new directors for 2010

The Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI) has vacancies on its Board early in 2010 and wishes to invite expressions of interest from individuals who consider they might meet the requirements.

HSI is the industry training organisation covering hospitality, with the job of developing national qualifications, facilitating training, and providing leadership to the sector.  (See the HSI Annual Report)

The Board’s role is to provide strategic leadership and direction to HSI on behalf of the hospitality industry.  It is made up of industry association representatives (in essence the ‘owners’ of the organisation) along with individuals holding expertise and senior experience in particular fields so as to ensure the Board is fully reflective of the industry as a whole.  The latter are appointed by the full Board (for two- year terms) on the recommendations of a recruitment panel set up by the Board to consider, shortlist and interview interested candidates.

The Board is using advertising, search and consultation within the industry to find the people best suited to the roles.

The vacancies

• food services representative
• independent director external to the industry (Chair)
• Maori representative
• provider representative (polytechnic).

Some of the present incumbents of these positions may re-apply, others will not be doing so.
The objective of the appointments is for the Board to achieve a sound mix of sector and other expertise, balance of representation, board refreshment, commitment and ability to contribute.

Closing date

Expressions of interest need to be sent by email to be received no later than Wednesday 18 November 09.  

Contact details

Individuals who think they might wish to apply should contact:

• Carol Stigley, Chair, carol@stigley.co.nz  021 889 59  
• or  Bruce Robertson, Deputy Chair, bruce@hanz.org.nz 04 385 1369/ 0274 400 650

For enquiries regarding the independent external director, please contact Bruce Robertson as above.

Position Requirements

The generic requirements for all directors on the HSI Board are for persons who:

• have hospitality experience (other than where there is a specific exception, e.g. independent director such as the Chair)
• are recognised and respected by their peers across the sector and within their relevant sub-sector of hospitality and can bring input from/take information back to their group
• are able to devote the time required
• have some understanding/experience of governance and what the role involves or shows an interest/potential in developing this
• have good collaborative and relationship skills
• have an awareness of the national qualifications framework and the role of ITOs
• have an awareness and preferably an established commitment to HSI qualifications and work based training, and are preferably  ‘users’
• can contribute to the business of leading and sustaining HSI into the future.

The requirements for these appointments are for those who:

a)    have high level skill/knowledge and experience specific to the industry gaps the Board is seeking to fill, being food services, provider/polytech and Máori
b)    bring other desirable skills including financial acumen, governance, and leadership.

The requirements for the independent external director are for a person who in addition to meeting the generic requirements above has:

• established directing experience
• collaboration and leadership skills
• experience in working with government and other stakeholders
• can lead with confidence the establishment of the Institute’s future strategic directions.

Other details

The Board meets four times a year, usually in Wellington.  Meetings take the better part of a day and are occasionally preceded by working dinners/workshops the evening before or after.  
The Board has established the Governance Policy, as a guide to how it operates.

Fees

Board fees are $5,000 plus GST per annum for ordinary Board members, $23,100 plus GST for the independent external director.  The general governance rule of thumb applies i.e for every day spent in meetings directors should expect to spend around another three days in preparation, follow-up, attendance at HSI functions during the year etc.  There are also per day meeting fees for any sub-committee work an individual Board member undertakes (not all Board members are on sub-committees).