Secretary & Chamberlain

The Royal Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh, is a charitable organisation for business and professional people which is dedicated to supporting the young and the elderly. Nowadays usually known as The Merchant Company, it has been enriching the life of Scotland’s capital for more than 300 years and is one of Scotland largest charitable organisations. The Merchant Company’s original purpose was to protect trading rights in the City of Edinburgh. Today, around 500 businessmen and women are Members of the Company, actively involved at the heart of the city in educational and charitable works, as well as continuing to hold a central role in the civic life of Edinburgh. The Company is also Scotland’s most pre-eminent livery company.

This role reports to the Court and is effectively a COO role which is responsible primarily for administering the affairs of the Company and the Master’s Court.  It also includes acting as Secretary for various Merchant Company institutions that come within the Company’s control which include:

• The Merchant Company Education Board
• The Merchant Company Endowments Trust
• The Sundry Trusts
• The Enterprise Fund
• The Merchant Company Retirement Benefit Scheme
• The Widows Fund
• The Merchants’ Hall Ltd

The role is wide-ranging and involves leading a small team in the following main elements:

• Finance, accounting and company secretarial matters
• Management of properties and investments
• Administration of the charities
• Administration of membership and members’ events
• Administration of ceremonial occasions
• Effective communications, both within and outwith the Company

You will work in close liaison with the Master, the Court, and various committees and members, advising on strategy and policy and the implementation of initiatives across all areas of the organisation.

We are interested in hearing from candidates with proven leadership experience in a diverse organisation and an interest in the charity sector.  A focus on operational excellence and measurable results is highly desirable, as is strong financial acumen.

The Merchant Company has a strategy to grow its impact on the City through it’s various charities, as well as through The Merchants Hall, and we are looking for an ambitious and driven COO to help achieve this growth and diversification.

To download the candidate brochure, please click here.

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to Ailsa Sutherland, Director at FWB Park Brown at fwb@fwbparkbrown.com.  For an initial confidential conversation please contact our Edinburgh office on 0131 539 7087.