Join the Board of a pioneering urban innovation consultancy using technology, data and insight to improve neighbourhoods and deliver real impact for people.
Who we are
What we do
Harnessing the power of technology and data to transform places and people’s lives.
How we do it
DG Cities focuses on delivering useful, impactful ways to deliver benefits where they really matter – to people. Our work bridges policy, innovation and delivery to support real-world change.
Our approach
We combine strategy, research, implementation and evaluation to deliver people-first solutions that balance commercial rigour with social purpose. We believe that technology is most effective when it is human-centred, evidence-led and developed in partnership with the communities it serves.
We are an urban innovation consultancy specialising in technology, data and behaviour change to improve neighbourhoods across the UK. We work with central and local government, private sector organisations and local communities to address complex urban challenges — from delivering on net zero ambitions in social housing and developing smart mobility solutions, to unlocking the opportunities of gigabit connectivity, supporting inclusive economic growth and rethinking neighbourhood planning and public resource optimisation.
Innovation sits at the heart of our organisation — not only in the focus of our work, but in how we work, how we govern ourselves and the diverse perspectives we bring together to create change that makes a real difference to people’s lives.
We are an independent company wholly owned by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. To our knowledge, we are the only local authority-owned urban innovation company of our kind in the UK. To date, all our profits have been reinvested in the company.
About the roles
We are seeking to appoint two Independent Non-Executive Directors to our Board. We are entering a new phase of growth, maturity and leadership transition, including planned changes to Board composition and senior leadership in the coming years.
By joining the Board now, you will play a key role in:
- Shaping the future strategic direction of a distinctive, values-led organisation.
- Strengthening governance and commercial capability while retaining strong public purpose.
- Supporting the senior management team to scale impact responsibly and sustainably.
- Helping position the organisation as a national leader in urban innovation.
This is a genuine opportunity to influence how technology and innovation are used to improve people’s lives at place level.
You will support and constructively challenge the senior management team, help strengthen our governance arrangements, support the development of the company and act as an ambassador for the organisation and what we stand for.
You will contribute to building a strong, effective Board culture rooted in trust, openness and shared purpose.
Who we are looking for
As a Non-Executive Director, you will have independent judgement, sector insight and commercial and governance expertise.
We are looking for individuals who bring:
- Senior leadership or board-level experience (as an executive, non-executive, or trustee).
- Strong understanding of innovation and/or technology-enabled sectors and their relevance to the urban environment.
- Experience supporting companies or organisations to grow/business development.
- Strategic thinking, sound judgement and a collaborative approach.
- Confidence to provide constructive challenge with diplomacy and humility.
- Commitment to public value, integrity and inclusive leadership.
You will be comfortable representing the organisation externally and helping to build its profile and influence.
We believe that diversity of experience, background and perspective strengthens decision-making and innovation. We warmly encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented at board level and from those whose career paths may not be traditional but who bring relevant insight and capability.
The time commitment for these roles will be 12-14 days per year.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack. For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Philippa Fabry | philippa@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07772 902071
Todd Johnson | todd@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07535 423577
Welcome
Pending
About us
Founded in 2016, we are an independent company wholly owned by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. To our knowledge, we are the only local authority-owned urban innovation company of our kind in the UK.
Stakeholders consistently describe us as offering “the best of both worlds” — the credibility and public purpose of a council-owned organisation combined with the agility and flexibility of an independent consultancy. Our clients value our work for the efficiencies, innovation and impact it delivers rather than financial return alone.
Approximately 60% of our work is commissioned by the council, with the remainder funded through competitive research and innovation programmes (including Innovate UK) and commercial commissions from other public and private sector clients.
We operate with a strong public sector ethos while generating the commercial income required to remain self-funded and sustainable.
A public sector ethos is central to what we do, whilst we also operate commercially. DG Cities is self-funded, delivering research & development for local government and participating in government (Innovate UK) research and innovation programmes at cost, whilst needing to generate commercial work.
We help our clients harness the power of technology and data to transform our towns and cities, with a practical approach that puts a city and its people first.
We believe that technology solutions are only effective if they support positive behaviour change that brings benefits to as many as possible. New technology is most effective when designed collaboratively with engaged users and communities and tested with their input.
We deliver products and services aligned to the following themes:
- Housing decarbonisation consultancy
- Future mobility
- Tech innovation pilots
- Connectivity
- Evaluation and behaviour science
- Technology living lab / testbed
- Neighbourhood consulting
Values and ethos
Our values: are important in driving success:
- Growth and improvement
- Future thinking
- Courage and commitment
- Excellence and performance
- Communication
- Collaboration
Our ethos: We are committed to using our skills and expertise to create positive social and environmental impact through our work. Our culture and commitment to innovation and being a good employer are key to this.
Our impact: Our work spans consultancy, research, pilots and delivery across the following areas:
- Housing decarbonisation consultancy
- Future mobility and EV infrastructure
- Technology innovation pilots and living labs
- Connectivity and digital infrastructure
- Evaluation and behavioural science
- Neighbourhood-based consulting
Highlights include:
- Securing £5m of Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund funding to support a £20m retrofit programme.
- Developing neighbourhood analysis frameworks and intervention plans aligned to local strategies.
- Delivering smart energy management and community energy pilots.
- Developing and implementing EV charging strategies.
- Influencing national policy through research on autonomous vehicles, public perception, and net zero infrastructure.
- Supporting the first public trials of autonomous shuttles and deliveries in the UK and creation of a national real-world test bed for connected and autonomous vehicles.
- Winning competitive commissions from central government departments on housing decarbonisation and EV regulation.
About the DG Cities Board
The current board is made up of three councillors and the Managing Director of the Company. It is described as welcoming, collaborative and professional. The council members are nominated by the council; one of these members is the Chair.
The current board is led by Sandra Thomas and the other members are Nick Williams, Calum O’Byrne Mulligan and Trevor Dorling (DG Cities’ Managing Director).
Learn more about usThank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: DG Cities — NED” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Philippa Fabry | philippa@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07772 902071
Todd Johnson | todd@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07535 423577
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please get in touch with the advising consultants. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 13th April 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Thursday 16th April 2026
First stage interviews (online): Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st April 2026
Second stage interviews (in person): Tuesday 28th (AM) and Thursday 30th (PM) April 2026
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and DG Cities are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
Data Processing, Protection and Privacy Policy
By completing the form to view, or if you have access to this page from an email invitation, Peridot Partners will have processed your personal information. For more information about Peridot Partners’ data processing activities and your rights, please read our Privacy Policy.
