ITM SEEKS CHAIR-ELECT TO CARRY ASSOCIATION FORWARD
The association, under the leadership of the new chairman Caroline Strachan from Yahoo!, is beginning the search for its Vice Chair position by asking interested buyer members to make themselves known to the association. The successful candidate will take up the Vice Chair position until the end of 2009 and then move to the position of Chairman for a further two years, after which time they stay on the board as Immediate Past Chair for an additional two years to keep a "steady hand on the tiller".
Applicants should have the full support of their companies to devote time to the association and have a strategic understanding of the industry. Only buyer members of ITM can apply for the role. The total commitment to the association is not insignificant but those taking on the role can get a lot back for both their own development and their companies.
The incumbent Chairman, Caroline Strachan from Yahoo!, can already see the benefits of taking on the role, despite finding herself involved in some key, detailed issues within months of taking on the position, "I don't think I quite understood what the role would do for me when I first started" she says,"but it's already apparent after just a few short months that, whilst the input required is not insignificant, both I and my company benefit from being at the heart of key industry issues and from the network you quickly build as chair person of the association."
In the first instance interested buyers are simply asked to contact either Caroline Strachan or Paul Tilstone direct for a confidential discussion about the role and their interest. Short-listed candidates will then be screened for any conflicts of interest and then required to present their views on key industry issues and where the association is and should be headed to a panel representing the board of ITM.
"Quite often people don't think that they have the necessary skills or view that they are appropriate to take on the role but at ITM we always say to people that you should leave that decision to us," adds Paul Tilstone, Executive Director. "What's most important is whether candidates have any interest in the role, a passion for this industry and good knowledge and aptitude."
If you've got a passion for this industry please contact Caroline Strachan or Paul Tilstone directly at cstrach@yahoo-inc.com or paul.tilstone@itm.org.uk . the deadline for expressions of interest is 16th May 2008.
