Founded in 1921, the Building Research Establishment (BRE) has been raising the standards of the built environment for over a century. BRE started as a UK government-funded, research-based organisation and has become an ambitious profit-for-purpose global business. We re-invest profits back into the business to deliver our purpose: to create a world in which everyone, in every building, everywhere can thrive. Today BRE operates in over 100 countries, with international revenue accounting for 50% of total revenue.

The Group develops world-leading tools and products focused on making buildings safe and sustainable globally. BRE’s environmental assessment method launched in 1990, BREEAM, is the most widely used environmental rating scheme for buildings, infrastructure and communities globally, with millions of assets registered worldwide. BRE also plays a role in emerging areas such understanding and building the sustainability standards for AI data. Together, these demonstrate the continuing relevance of BRE’s science-led expertise and the opportunity to extend its impact further.

We are now looking for a Chair and two Non-Executive Directors (NED), one of which will be a Senior Independent Director (SID), to guide BRE through its next strategic phase: becoming a more commercial, digital, international and customer-focused business while staying true to independence, technical rigour and public benefit that define us. This is an important moment for BRE. We have a strong heritage, trusted expertise and global reach, but we also need to modernise how we work, strengthen the experience we create for colleagues and customers, and grow our impact in a changing built environment. These appointments are therefore a real opportunity to help shape the next chapter of an established and respected organisation.

All non-executive directors are expected to help shape and oversee BRE Group's long-term strategy as a profit-for-purpose subsidiary of a charity, ensuring commercial growth stays aligned with the Group's social purpose and public benefit, while championing equity, diversity and inclusion within the Board itself. They must uphold strong governance, ethics, and regulatory compliance, giving both the Group and the Trust confidence and assurance. Above all, they will be purpose-driven and bring a strong alignment with BRE’s values and vision.

The successful candidates will have the governance discipline and judgement to lead the newly delineated Group and Trust Boards through transition, alongside strong stakeholder management skills and credibility with government, industry and wider sector stakeholders. The Chair will assume a dual role, concurrently presiding over the BRE Trust Board and the BRE Group Board; the Senior Independent Director (SID) will act as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the Chair, and will also serve as Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee. The Non-Executive Director (NED) will serve as Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

These are remunerated positions: £35k for the Chair position, £30k for the SID and £25k for the NED position. It is broadly anticipated that the Chair will spend two to three days per month on the role and the non-executive directors will spend around one to one and a half days per month.

For further details, including the job description, person specification, and information on how to apply, please visit https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/ quoting 8550.

Candidates wishing to apply should submit a CV (including comprehensive details of key achievements and responsibilities) along with a covering letter which fully addresses the competencies outlined in the role description and person specification.

The closing date for applications is 09:00am on 30 September 2026.

BRE will be supported in this appointment by the executive search firm Perrett Laver.

Any initial queries regarding the Chair position should be directed to Fiona Dattan at fiona.dattan@perrettlaver.com.

Any queries regarding the NED positions should be directed to Nikki Tye at nikki.tye@perrettlaver.com.

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Inclusion

At BRE, we believe that excellence comes from recognising the value of every individual. Diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences across our organisation, and particularly on our Board, strengthen challenge, decision-making and our ability to serve our colleagues, customers and communities. They are central to our ambition to build an inclusive organisation where everyone feels valued, respected and able to fulfil their potential.

We have recently launched our first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, but recognise that there is more to do, including continuing to close our gender pay gap and improving representation at senior levels. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to an inclusive appointment process and to ensure that candidates are treated fairly and with respect, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity or national origin, family circumstances, gender, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, nationality, political or religious beliefs, race, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, and would like to specifically invite applications from under-represented groups.

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