TrustMark, the government endorsed quality mark for reputable local tradespeople, has started the process to recruit a new independent chairman, and another new director to represent industry interests on the board.

The current chairman, Liz Male, steps down in July following completion of her two full terms of office. She has led the board for more than six years, overseeing significant changes in the organisation including new corporate governance, a renewed master licence from government and improved government-endorsed standards for scheme operators and their registered firms. In the 2015 New Year’s Honours, she received a MBE for services to construction and consumer protection.

Alongside Citizen’s Advice, Liz Male is also leading TrustMark’s work developing the new Code of Conduct and Consumer Charter for the Each Home Counts review, work that she will continue independently from this summer.

The new chairman will work with the Board and chief executive of TrustMark to lead the organisation into its next stages of development, helping to deliver another tranche of new benefits for reputable tradespeople and their customers, and continuing to work in partnership with others to enhance the consumer protection provided in the home improvements sector.

Recent examples of TrustMark’s new services and partnerships include the launch of its escrow scheme to help prevent financial disputes between home owners and tradespeople, e-learning services provided in partnership with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute to boost awareness and understanding of consumer rights, a fire and carbon monoxide home safety scheme developed with CFOA BlueWatch, and the provision of consumer advice and non-technical complaints handling for the Gas Safe Register scheme.

TrustMark also has a vacancy on its Board for a trade director, following the departure of Steve Hodgson, chief executive of the Property Care Association, who has also completed his term of office. TrustMark ensures there  is an equal balance between trade and non-trade interests on its Board, with three directors elected from within the industry, three directors from consumer protection organisations, and an independent chairman.

TrustMark is aiming to begin the interview process for both roles in May. Interested candidates should contact Ray Ferris (rferris@trustmark.org.uk) as soon as possible to obtain details of how to apply. The deadline for applications is noon on 28 April 2017.

TrustMark operates under licence from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and provides homeowners with advice and access to a database of more than 14,000 local vetted, inspected and insured tradesmen and firms through its website and telephone helpline.

With more than 21,000 licensed trades available, TrustMark is the only scheme that requires qualified inspectors to check every firm’s technical skills through on-site inspections.