Trustee Role Profile

Statutory duties of a Trustee

• To ensure that the Institution complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• To ensure that the Institution pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
• To ensure the Institution uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects: the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are
• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the Institution, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
• To safeguard the good name and values of the Institution
• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Institution
• To ensure the financial stability of the Institution
• To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity's funds  
• To appoint the Chief Executive Officer and monitor his/her performance.

Other duties

• Scrutinising board papers
•  Leading discussions
• Focusing on key issues
• Providing guidance on new initiatives
• Other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise
• In the case of the President-Elect and Vice-Presidents, chairing an expert subcommittee.

Trustee person specification

• Commitment to the Institution and the Engineering profession
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Discrete at all times
• Strategic vision
• Good, independent judgment
• Ability to think creatively
• Willingness to speak their mind
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Ability and willingness to support publicly corporate views not held privately
• Nolan's seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.