Non-Executive Director & Chair of Audit & Risk Committee

GENERAL SUMMARY

We are seeking to appoint a non-executive director to Chair our Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) — a pivotal governance role providing strategic oversight of Digital Catapult’s audit, risk management, and financial reporting processes. The Chair leads and supports the committee, ensuring it is effective, appropriately constituted, and adds value beyond procedural responsibilities. The role involves providing assurance to the Board, guiding discussions on risk, finance, and governance, and engaging with key stakeholders while ensuring compliance with statutory duties.

About Digital Catapult:

Digital Catapult is a deep tech innovation organisation. 

It plays an important role in catalysing the UK’s science, research and technology infrastructure, helping to deliver the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and supporting economic growth. 

Digital Catapult bridges the gap between the UK’s world-class research and entrepreneurs, startups, businesses, investors and government to support innovation and unlock commercial opportunities. 

It accelerates the adoption of breakthrough frontier digital technologies by UK businesses and boosts the growth of new deep tech startups. 

With offices in London, Belfast, Bristol and Gateshead, Digital Catapult is part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network and receives its core grant funding from UK Research & Innovation. 

Digital Catapult leads a productive deep tech innovation ecosystem by: 

• Working with the UK’s world-class research institutions and universities to support the commercial application of research in breakthrough frontier digital technologies. 
• Providing physical and digital infrastructure for developing, testing and commercialising deep tech in the real world. 
• Supporting the adoption of frontier technologies by UK businesses through programmes and collaborations. 
• Connecting high potential startups and early-stage deep tech businesses with business leaders, customers, suppliers and potential funders.   
• Aligning its interventions to Government policy and working with agencies to support innovation and growth. 
• Hosting regular events on specific technologies and topics of interest. 
• Publishing market and technology insights, including research reports, case studies and guides that enable real-world adoption. 
• Making connections, building relationships and collaborating across the UK Catapult Network.  

Visit www.digicatapult.org.uk for more information.

As Chair of the ARC, you will support high standards of governance, risk management and regulatory compliance, recognising Digital Catapult’s public funding accountability.

You will have relevant senior-level experience and expertise and will provide informed guidance on how to implement Digital Catapult’s strategy and generate tangible outcomes.

Our Non-Executive Directors are advocates and champions of Digital Catapult on the national and international stage and have an extensive network of contacts through which to help to continue to elevate the profile of the important work Digital Catapult is doing in deep tech innovation. It is important that Non-Executive Directors are free from material relationships with the company and its external auditors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, fostering a culture of robust challenge, transparency, and accountability within the committee.
• Lead the committee in reviewing and challenging the annual financial statements to ensure they are fair, balanced, and understandable.
• Oversee the relationship with the external auditor, including their appointment, performance, and independence. This includes reviewing the scope of the audit, the audit findings, and any management actions taken in response.
• Advise the Board on the identification and assessment of the principal risks to the organisation, including strategic, financial, operational, and reputational risks. The Chair ensures these are regularly reviewed and that appropriate mitigation strategies are in place
• Provide input into the organisation’s strategic vision, bringing key knowledge and expertise, leadership and guidance to Digital Catapult’s Board and Senior Leadership Team.
• Have an active interest in the success of Digital Catapult as well as the Catapult Network and UKRI and an appreciation of the wider market opportunities and the growth of the UK economy.
• Advise, challenge and support the team to develop innovative ideas for delivering highly complex research-led programmes, with the ability to think outside traditional boundaries and ways of doing things.
• Focus on ways to ensure commercial relevance and ensuring organisational governance.
• Attend Board meetings, review board papers and provide guidance and input as required.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

Technical Capabilities and Experience

• Board-level experience of the leadership of an organisation working in a complex operating environment.
• A qualified accountant with experience operating at CFO level and with experience of either chairing or serving on audit and risk committees.
• A strong understanding of risk management frameworks.
• Experience of successful commercial delivery at the highest level.
• Track record of managing complex financial budgets and P&L responsibility, including within a public sector funding setting.
• Experience of leadership in an organisation operating in a complex stakeholder environment.
• Proven experience and understanding of turning vision into tangible outcomes, including commercialisation.
• Ability to scrutinise, whilst at the same time being able to demonstrate an ability to support a company to innovate, change, improve and scale.
• An understanding and experience of working in relevant sectors, start-up/ scaleup, policy and academic research.
• A respected individual with a track record of delivery.
• Possess the depth required to win credibility and engage with industry leaders and stakeholders and represent Digital Catapult at the highest level.

 

Behavioural Competencies

• Highly collaborative, a team-player and adept at putting forward compelling arguments as well as being open to taking on board diverse views and perspectives.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to act as an advocate and champion.
• A credible and persuasive ambassador for Digital Catapult
• Articulate, dynamic, energetic and delivery focused.
• Self-motivated, committed, optimistic, enthusiastic, results oriented.
• Leads by example, inclusive, open, curious, innovative, and prepared to share expertise, know-how and skills.
• A highly presentable and persuasive communicator at this level.

Deadline for application: Tuesday, September 1 2026, 3 pm BST (we do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so you are encouraged to submit your application at the earliest opportunity)

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a remunerated NED position of £17,500 gross p.a. Our standard NED fees are £12,500 p.a. and the Chair of ARC attracts a further supplement of £5,000 p.a. Fees are paid on a quarterly basis.

The board meets quarterly for half a day and an evening and Board members contribute another six days in the year. 

Digital Catapult is proud to be a member of Inclusive Employers and puts diversity and inclusion at the forefront of our business practices. As such, we welcome applications from all sections of our society and those who will continue to lead by example and who will demonstrate inclusivity and be open, curious and innovative. You will be committed and energetic and willing to share your expertise, know-how and skills to support us in continuing to deliver on our mission. Visit www.digicatapult.org.uk for more information and contact [email protected] with any questions you may have.