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

In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve:

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.

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Your Institution needs you

Past President Tony Roche explains the role of Trustees.