Join our Board of Directors

Gawcott Fields Community Solar CIC (GFCS) is looking for new volunteer Directors to join our Board.

We’re a Community Interest Company that owns a 4-megawatt community solar farm between Gawcott and Buckingham. A proportion of our profits support local community projects, tackle fuel poverty, enhance local sustainability and biodiversity, and accelerate the community’s transition to clean energy, through initiatives like the Bee Green Grant Fund.

Our grant fund support causes within a 5km radius of the solar farm in Gawcott. Recent initiatives include fully funded educational visits for local schoolchildren to the farm, partial funding of Solar Photovoltaic installations at Buckingham Cricket Club, Golf Club, Rugby Club, and Football Club, and a grant of £47,000 to Buckingham Citizen’s Advice, enabling them to provide face-to-face support on energy saving and fuel debt. 

We are seeking individuals with an interest in renewable energy, climate change, environmental challenges, and/or education to join our board as directors. This voluntary position offers the opportunity to participate in local grant giving and contribute to community-led initiatives. We are aiming to recruit at least one additional local director, or possibly two, to introduce new ideas, support specific projects, and offer fresh perspective. We warmly encourage applications from individuals in minority groups and younger people, whose perspectives and experiences are especially valued in shaping our community’s future.

If you care about climate action, renewable energy, community benefit, and good governance, and you’re passionate about helping community-led projects thrive, we’d love to hear from you.

What does the role involve?

As a Director, you will:

• Shape strategy – help guide the long-term direction of GFCS and ensure we deliver on our community purpose.
• Champion the local community – help us build partnerships with local organisations, schools and community groups.
• Assess community grant applications – review and evaluate applications to the Bee Green Grant Fund, helping ensure funding supports meaningful local environmental and social projects.
• Act as an ambassador – represent GFCS at meetings and events, locally and online.

Time commitment

Full board meetings are held quarterly, typically virtually, while local directors meet more frequently usually in Buckingham town on an informal basis and carry out ad hoc tasks as required.

• Occasional additional activities – such as strategy workshops, community meetings, school visits to the solar farm.

Solar farm operations and company administration is handled by our manager, CfR CIC, so Directors can focus on the important stuff: strategy, oversight and impact.

What support and expenses are provided?

• Expenses covered – reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (e.g. travel, refreshments) can be reclaimed
• Compensation for lost wages (local Directors) – if you need to take time off work for an agreed GFCS activity (e.g. a strategy day, community meeting or school visit), the company will compensate you

If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity and exploring how you might contribute, then the next step is an informal, no obligation, discussion with one of our current directors. Please email gabby.mallett@googlemail.com with your availability.

Note: Directors must be at least 18 years old and need no formal qualifications, only an interest in the environment and local community. A 12-month minimum commitment is expected from all directors. We’re keen to hear from people who:

• Are passionate about community benefit and renewable energy.
• Are able to act responsibly and maintain the reputation of GFCS.
• Can commit the time needed for quarterly meetings and preparation.
• Are comfortable using email and online meetings to communicate.

You don’t need to be an energy expert – but you do need to be willing to learn, ask questions, and exercise your duty of care, due diligence and confidentiality as a Company Director under the Companies Act 2006.

Interested?

If you’d like more information, or an informal conversation with a current Director, please contact: gabby.mallett@googlemail.com

Alternatively, you can contact:

hello@gawcottsolar.co.uk
☎️ 01209 707 600

Join us and help ensure that the power generated at Gawcott continues to power positive change in our community.