Role Description

As the governing body of The City and Guilds London Institute, our Trustee Board is ultimately responsible for everything the City & Guilds Group does.

Trustees share this responsibility both individually and collectively and are expected to contribute in an informed and active way to all aspects of the Board’s work.

As an incorporated charity, Board members are charitable Trustees and Directors of a company limited by guarantee. The work of the Board is therefore governed by both charity and company law.

Purpose of the role

Each Trustee should use their skills, knowledge and/or experience to help and support the Group CEO and the executive team to reach sound strategic corporate decisions. This may involve scrutinising board and committee papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues affecting the Group, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives and other issues in which the Trustee has experience.

Trustees are required to act reasonably and prudently in all matters relating to the charity and must always take decisions in the best interests of City & Guilds Group and its beneficiaries.

The role of the Trustee Board

The Trustee Board’s primary responsibility is ensuring the Group pursues its charitable objectives and that it remains financially robust. Trustees must be fully committed to the purpose of the City & Guilds Group and the positive impact it can make to individuals, businesses and economies.

As we are a charity, we need our Trustees to acquire a sound knowledge of the activities and financial position of the Group and be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to their role for no payment or personal gain.

Key tasks and responsibilities

We expect our Trustee Board members to:

Be responsible for the proper administration of the Group and act individually and collectively in the best interests of the charity by:
1. Identifying and managing risks.
2. thinking strategically about the strategic future of the Group.
3. ensuring that City & Guilds Group is and remains solvent and that robust financial controls and risk management systems are maintained.
4. Being responsible for the charity’s money and property, held on trust on behalf of people affected by the City & Guilds Group.

Ensure that the Group is adhering to its values and purpose and adheres to its Royal Charter and Charity Commission obligations, complying with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulation.

In addition to the general responsibilities of a Trustee, duties of the Treasurer in accordance with the Constitution of City & Guilds are as follows:

Reporting on the past financial year; present the audited Accounts to the members and nominated representatives (Members); and answering questions raised by Members.
Reporting to the Council as often as Council thinks necessary on the finances of City & Guilds.
Keeping under review the adequacy of City & Guilds’ internal controls and the work of the external auditors.
Serving as a member of the Trustee Board and leading the consideration of the annual accounts of City & Guilds prior to their approval by the Trustee Board.
Keeping generally up to date with legislative and regulatory developments affecting the financial affairs of City & Guilds.
Conferring with and advise the Director-General [Chief Executive Officer], the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary of the Institute, and other staff as necessary, on the financial affairs of City & Guilds.
Serving as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Remuneration Committee, the Investment Committee, and the Nominations Committee.

Additionally, the duties of the Treasurer will also include:

Along with the Chief Financial Officer, overseeing, and reviewing budgets, accounts and financial statements which are presented to the Board of Trustees.
Being assured that the financial resources of City & Guilds meet its present and future needs.
Liaising with City & Guilds’ auditors.
Ensuring that City & Guilds has an appropriate reserves policy and investment policy.
Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place and keeping generally up to date with legislative and regulatory developments affecting the financial affairs of City & Guilds.
Advising on the financial implications of City & Guilds’ strategic plans.
Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of City & Guilds.
Monitoring City & Guilds’ investment activity and ensuring it is consistent with City & Guilds’ policies and legal responsibilities.
Ensuring that the annual accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies, i.e., the Charity Commission.
Ensuring that the annual accounts are scrutinised in the manner required (independent examination or audit) and any recommendations are implemented.
Keeping the Trustee Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
Sitting on other Board sub-committees as required. The Treasurer Chairs the Investment Committee and sits on the Audit & Risk, Remuneration, Nominations, Foundation Committee, and the Pension sub-Committee.

What this role offers Trustees

Being a Trustee requires a significant commitment but also creates the opportunity of participating in very rewarding work.

As a Trustee you will have the opportunity to shape the work of City & Guilds Group at the highest level and have a direct impact on our ability to deliver our purpose. This includes the opportunity for personal development to build on your existing skills and experience.

All of our current Trustees say they get enormous job satisfaction from using their skills and experience to support the work of the charity, knowing that they are making a real difference for people affected by City & Guilds Group.

Standards

Members of the Board of Trustees are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with acceptable standards of behaviour in public life, embracing selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership (the Nolan Principles).
Candidates should not have been disqualified from acting as trustees from a previous organisation and will be asked to confirm in writing that this is the case.
Candidates will be asked to consider and declare any existing or potential conflicts of interests.
Since City & Guilds is a charity it is critical that the Board of Trustees exercises efficient and effective use of the resources of City & Guilds for the furtherance of its purpose. The Board must also maintain the long-term viability of City & Guilds, safeguarding its assets, and ensuring that a proper mechanism exists to ensure financial control and for the prevention of fraud.

Practicalities

Appointment Term: Appointments as Trustee are typically for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of two further terms each typically of three years subject to a satisfactory appraisal and Council approval.

Time Commitment: Trustees will be expected to devote such time as is necessary for the proper performance of their role. For this role, the appointed candidate should expect to spend the equivalent of two/three days a month on City & Guilds’ work after the induction phase. This is based on attendance at the below meetings:

Scheduled formal Board meetings (8 in each year, including 2 residential with overnight stay).
Scheduled Committee meetings: Nominations Committee (2 in each year); Audit and Risk Committee (4 in each year), Investment Committee (4 in each year) and the Remuneration Committee (4 in each year).
Attendance at the Yearly and bi-annual Council Meetings.
Other adhoc meetings

Remuneration and Expenses: In common with other registered charities, there is no remuneration associated with membership of the Trustee Board, although City & Guilds will reimburse fully for all reasonable and properly documented expenses incurred in performing duties.