Council Committees

Council delegates responsibilities to a number of Committees. These Committees are authorised to make decisions on behalf of Council or to make recommendations to Council for approval.

Delegating responsibility to Committees provides Council with assurance that the appropriate attention and scrutiny are being afforded to important strategic issues for which there may not be sufficient time for discussion at Council meetings.

Council collectively retains ultimate responsibility and accountability for all decisions taken and from time to time reviews the structure and membership of Council Committees to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

All Trustees serve on one or more Council Committees and may attend any Committee meeting. The Chair and Treasurer are ex officio members of all Council Committees except the Audit Committee and the Nominations Committee which they attend by invitation.

Audit & Risk Committee

The Audit & Risk Committee provides structured systematic oversight of the Charity’s governance, risk management and internal controls practices that may have an impact on the Charity’s ability to meet its aims; provides Council with objective advice, guidance and support regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of the organisation’s systems and processes of governance, risk management and internal control and potential improvements; and reviews the Annual Report and Accounts of the Charity, prior to making recommendation to Council.

Audit & Risk Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 321 KB)

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee exercises supervisory oversight, on behalf of Council, over all aspects of the Charity’s financial policies and operations and to maintain the short and long-term financial viability of the Charity and the stewardship of its assets.

Finance Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 309 KB)

Fundraising and Marketing Committee

The Fundraising and Marketing Committee exercise supervisory oversight, on behalf of Council, over all aspects of the Charity’s fundraising and marketing and philanthropic activities.

Fundraising and Marketing Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 291 KB)

Nomination and Governance Committee

The Nomination and Governance Committee oversees succession planning, and leads on recruitment, for all Trustees, Non-Trustee Committee members and the Chief Executive Officer to ensure that the Charity has the right mix of skills, knowledge, experience, independence and diversity to effectively govern the Charity and to support the delivery of the Charity’s strategy. It oversees an open, formal, inclusive and transparent recruitment process in accordance with its recruitment principles.

Trustee and Non-Trustee Committee Member Recruitment Principles(PDF, 167 KB)

Nomination and Governance Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 319 KB)

People and Remuneration Committee

The People and Remuneration Committee exercise supervisory oversight, on behalf of Council, over all aspects of the Charity’s activities related to people, and related risks, and to remuneration. Day-to-day management of activities relating to people are and remain the responsibility of the CEO and the Executive Team.

People and Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 350 KB)

Research Committee

The Research Committee exercises supervisory oversight, on behalf of Council, of the development, implementation and review of the effective delivery of the Charity’s research strategy. It provides advice and recommendations to Council on areas relevant to research including emerging fields and new types of partnership working. It also oversees the Charity’s policies and risks management relating to the employees of the Charity’s Institutes and those funded through Charity grants.

Research Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 311 KB)

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