GearForm Limited is the holding company for the GearForm group, headquartered in Wadhurst, East Sussex. In 2022, the group transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), creating a business owned for the benefit of its employees. Today, the group employs more than 300 people worldwide across the UK, Poland, The Netherlands, USA, and Colombia.

Employee ownership is central to how the group operates. The Advisory Council — made up of elected employee representatives from across the group — ensures that employee-owners (known internally as Partners) have a genuine voice in shaping the organisation's future. The group is committed to deepening its employee ownership model while making a positive contribution to communities and protecting the environment for generations to come.

Our Businesses

Nikwax Limited develops and manufactures care products and material systems for outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment. By producing entirely in-house, Nikwax delivers exceptional quality and continuous innovation while keeping sustainability at the heart of everything it does. Nikwax is proud to be the only outdoor company to have received both the Queen's Award and the King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, and has been recognised as one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025. Since 1977, Nikwax has maintained a commitment to reducing environmental impact and operating on a carbon-balanced basis.

Páramo Limited designs durable, high-performance outdoor clothing built to keep people comfortable in all conditions. Ethical manufacturing is fundamental to the brand, with garments produced by a skilled team at the company's factory in Bogotá, Colombia — a partnership that delivers outstanding products while creating meaningful employment and lasting social impact.

Together, these businesses form a purpose-driven, internationally recognised group with a proud heritage and an ambitious vision for the future.

About the Role

This is a self-employed, fixed-term appointment for an initial three-year term, with the option to renew for a further term by mutual agreement. The role requires approximately one day per month, encompassing quarterly Board of Trustees meetings and associated preparation time. You will be expected to attend the group's offices in Wadhurst, East Sussex, at least four times per year.

As Independent Chair of Trustees, you will be responsible for ensuring the GearForm Employee Ownership Trust is operated for the benefit of the group's employees. You will provide strong, principled leadership to the Board of Trustees, build a constructive and accountable relationship with the CEO, and help guide the group towards its full potential — growing sustainably and delivering real, tangible benefits to its employee-owners and wider stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Chair the Board of Trustees meetings effectively, actively engaging Trustees and ensuring that collective decisions serve the best interests of beneficiaries
Establish and maintain a strong, constructive working relationship with the CEO — providing support through challenges while holding them appropriately accountable for agreed objectives
Continuously appraise the Board of Trustees, identify competency gaps, and request relevant development support where needed
Facilitate change and resolve conflicts constructively across governing bodies and with wider stakeholders
Lead and conduct the annual CEO appraisal, and provide input on CEO remuneration
Monitor that decisions taken at Board meetings are actioned effectively and in a timely manner
Act as an organisational figurehead alongside the CEO, with a particular focus on charitable initiatives and the group's Sustainability Strategy
Provide leadership to the business and Board of Directors to realise the full benefits of the EOT structure for the GearForm group
Ensure the Board maintains appropriate oversight of business risks, including financial stability, cash flow, and capital expenditure
Ensure that appropriate documentation is received in advance of meetings and highlight any information shortfalls to support fully informed decision-making

Requirements

Relevant governance board experience, preferably within an employee ownership (EO) context
Proven communication skills with the confidence to scrutinise decisions and challenge constructively
Demonstrated leadership experience, including the ability to work in a coaching capacity
Experience contributing to the development of business strategies
A strong understanding of financial and accounting terminology and reporting
A degree or equivalent level qualification
Ability to travel to Wadhurst, East Sussex, a minimum of four times per year

What We Offer

The opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the future of more than 300 employee-owners and the wider stakeholders of an internationally recognised group

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About GearForm Ltd.

GearForm Ltd. is a UK-based Employee Ownership Trust headquartered in Wadhurst, East Sussex, that oversees a group of internationally recognised businesses specialising in high-performance outdoor products with a strong focus on sustainability. Through its subsidiary Nikwax Limited, the group develops and manufactures care products and material systems for outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment, delivering quality and innovation while prioritising environmental responsibility. With over 300 employees across the UK, Poland, The Netherlands, USA, and Colombia, GearForm operates as a purpose-driven enterprise committed to employee ownership, community contribution, and protecting the environment for future generations.