Navigating change at Borough Market: A focus on community and values

Narinder Uppal, Principal of our Membership, Arts & Heritage and Charities sector, discusses her recent appointment for Borough Market.

The Background

Borough Market, a registered charity governed by the Charity Commission, operates as a vibrant marketplace in London relying solely on revenue generated from pitch fees and investment properties. With the departure of the previous CEO, Borough Market sought an Interim CEO to provide leadership, stability and strategic direction during the transitional period.

The Candidate

In light of Borough Market's unique requirements, Narinder Uppal, Principal of the Membership, Arts & Heritage and Charities sector at Odgers Interim recommended Jane Swift for the role of Interim CEO. Jane's extensive experience in leading charitable and nonprofit organisations, coupled with her proven track record of organisational transformation, positioned her as an ideal candidate for the challenge at Borough Market. Her background in finance and operations, along with her ability to forge strong relationships with stakeholders made her well-suited to address the client’s multifaceted needs.

The Solution

Upon assuming the role of Interim CEO, Jane embarked on a comprehensive strategy to address Borough Market's key challenges and opportunities, always highlighting the importance of her supportive Board and talented team. Her approach encompassed the following initiatives:

Strategic Review: Jane conducted a thorough examination of Borough Market's purpose and positioning. She worked closely with the Board and senior team to redefine the market's strategic objectives, focusing on its charitable status, putting the community first and rallying everyone behind its values.
Governance Implementation: The Board had already conducted a governance review before Jane joined. One of her first tasks was to implement the recommendations made by this review. She provided guidance on governance best practices and facilitated discussions to enhance Board effectiveness and accountability.
Stakeholder Engagement: Jane prioritised building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including traders, staff and the broader community. She fostered open communication channels and collaborated closely with the senior team to ensure alignment with stakeholders' interests and expectations.
Team Development: Jane worked closely with the senior team to set clear objectives and priorities, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration. She provided mentorship and support to enhance team effectiveness and drive performance improvements.
Pandemic Response and Future Planning: Jane led efforts to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic, developing strategies to mitigate its impact on Borough Market's operations and finances. She also focused on future-proofing the organisation by developing a robust strategic plan that would guide its growth and resilience in the years to come.

The Outcome

Jane's interim leadership, bolstered by a supportive Board and a talented team proved instrumental in guiding Borough Market through a period of transition and transformation. Her strategic review and governance implementations laid the foundation for sustainable growth and enhanced organisational effectiveness. By prioritising stakeholder engagement and team development, Jane fostered a culture of collaboration and accountability, ensuring Borough Market's continued success as a charitable institution.

At the conclusion of her interim assignment, Jane entered the competition for the permanent role and was selected as the strongest candidate. Her contributions were widely recognised and she was subsequently made permanent. Under Jane's leadership, Borough Market emerged stronger and more resilient, poised to fulfil its mission of serving the community while advancing its charitable objectives. The organisation's strategic pillars of Food, Place and Voice which are underpinned by Sustainability and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, have also become central to its renewed focus on the local community, its food offerings and its vision for a better future.