With a turnover of some £160 million, 275 staff and an active membership in excess of 180,000, governance of the Society is a significant role. The Committee meets 11 times a year (usually for four hours beginning at 4pm, but there are two half day meetings). There are also two Subcommittees, which meet a total of seven times a year and on which Committee members are expected to serve. Most meetings are in Stevenage, with a few in London. There is also an expectation to attend tastings and other events. Participation on the Committee, therefore, requires a significant commitment of time.
Committee members (other than the Chair and Deputy Chair who receive more to reflect the work they do) receive an annual fee of £7,725, and an additional £2,575 for being on a Subcommittee.
It is important for the Committee to have a diverse set of skills and also as diverse a perspective of view as we can. We look all the time to refresh, and bring new skills on to, the Committee; with new members being co-opted on to the Committee for a period before possible election in due course. We are now looking for people with senior Board and/or commercial or professional experience.
Members of the Committee need a combination of commercial acumen, an understanding of, and an ability to review and comment on, the finances and management accounts of the Society, being comfortable in a digital business environment and a breadth of knowledge and experience that will enable them to contribute to our deliberations on all the topics which come before us. Experience of being on a Board or equivalent is a definite help.
Apart from the commitment of time and the necessary skills, it is essential for Committee members to have an ability to understand a members’ organisation (a mutual) with its very different drivers from a ‘normal’ profit-making organisation and, even more importantly, a real enthusiasm for the Society and what it stands for; the values by which it lives.
If you are interested in being considered for co-option, you should write to executivepa@thewinesociety.com setting out what you believe you would bring to the Committee and giving details of your skills and suitability. We will then send you the link to register on our recruitment platform.
Replies should reach us by Wednesday 18th February. We plan to notify those shortlisted for interview in the week beginning Monday 16th March and will hold interviews in Stevenage on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th April 2026.