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Governance

Trustee Board and Council Members

United KingdomWorldwide

Our Trustee Board governs and controls the Institution. Trustees set our strategic direction and their decisions have wide-reaching and long-lasting significance.

President speech

About you


You must be one of our Corporate Members (member/Fellow). You should:

  • Be able to demonstrate a commitment to us and the engineering profession
  • Have a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role
  • Be discrete at all times
  • Have good, independent judgment
  • Be able to think creatively and have strategic vision
  • Be willing to speak your mind
  • Have an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
  • Be able to work effectively as a member of a team
  • Be able and willing to support publicly corporate views, not held privately Adhere to Nolan's seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

Meet a past Trustee Board Member


  • Jon Hursthouse

    Jon served as a Trustee Board member from 2014-2015, using his skills to drive the strategic direction of the Institution whilst engaging with senior engineers and influencers.

What you will do

Trustee Board member

If you are seeking to serve as a Trustee Board member, you will need to attend and input into Trustee Board meeting, which typically take place six times a year as well as attend Council meetings.

You will be required to use any specific skills, knowledge or experience 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
  • Chairing an expert subcommittee

Your statutory duties as a trustee will include:

  • Ensuring that we comply with our governing documents, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
  • Ensuring we pursue our objects as defined in our governing document
  • Ensuring we use our resources exclusively in pursuance of our objects, ie we must not spend money on activities which are not included in our own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are
  • Contributing actively to the board of trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
  • Safeguarding our good name and values
  • Ensuring our administration is effective and efficient
  • Ensuring our financial stability
  • Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of our funds
  • Appointing the chief executive officer and monitoring their performance

Council member

The Council provides guidance and advice to the Trustee Board on matters related to strategy, the Institution’s membership and other relevant issues. Council meets on average twice a year.

For more information, please see the Council Terms of Reference.

How you will benefit

You will:

  • Have an opportunity to gain an even broader perspective on mechanical engineering
  • Develop an appreciation of issues across a wide spectrum of technology
  • Enhance your strategic knowledge and skills
  • Broaden you network of contacts

How much time it will take

The Trustee Board meets on average six times a year, and you should attend. Trustee Board members are also expected to attend Council meetings.

How it works

You must contact Joan Gibbins below to register your interest in the first instance.

Candidates standing for election to the Trustee Board are required to be proposed by 12 Corporate Members (ie, Fellow/member) who are prepared to support your candidacy.

For nomination as an Ordinary Member of the Council – Fellow or Member, you need to be nominated by two Corporate Members (ie, Fellow/member).

All nominations must be submitted in time for the relevant Ordinary Meeting.

Candidates’ details will then be included in the voting papers/biographical details sent to all Corporate and Associate Members during April. The results are announced at our Annual Meeting.

Get in touch

If you are interested in standing contact our Trustee Department.

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Ask a question or apply

If you are interested in standing contact our Trustee Department, to find out more about the Trustee Board and Council election procedures.

More information

Visit Governance to find out about the Trustee Board and Council.