Member

Members play a limited but crucial role in Multi Academy Trust (MAT) governance. Members are the guardians and custodians of governance in the trust and its vision, values and ethos. As guardians of the trust, Members must assure themselves that the governance of the trust is effective and that trustees are acting in accordance with the trust’s charitable objects. While trustees are responsible for setting the trust’s strategic direction, Members have the ability to appoint and remove the board. Members are also responsible for other key activities such as amending the trust’s Articles of Association, changing the name of the trust or winding it up. Members do not usually have a term of office.

Selection Criteria: Some/all of the following:

Strategic leadership:

• Familiar with the trust’s strategic priorities and its charitable objects
• Broad understanding of national and regional educational priorities and the implications of these for the trust
• Ability to think strategically about the future direction of the trust and the appropriate composition of the trust board

People

• Ensures the board of trustees has the necessary expertise to fulfil its functions effectively and acts in accordance with the trust’s charitable objects
• Understands the importance of succession planning to the ongoing effectiveness of the trust board
• Sets high expectations for conduct and behaviour for all those in governance and is an exemplary role model in demonstrating these
• Promotes and fosters a supportive working relationship between members and the board
• Confident to approach the governance professional to obtain advice and support as needed
• Confident and resilient enough to remove any or all trustees if governance is failing, pursuant to the Companies Act

Structures and compliance:

• Understands the principles of delegation, and specifically the relationship between Members and the trust board and the need for clear separation of activities
• Understands the legal, regulatory and financial context of the trust
• Understands the principles of audit and assurance
• Confident speaking up when concerned about non-compliance where it has not been picked up by the board or where they feel it is not being taken seriously
• Able to identify when specialist advice may be required, such as the commissioning of external reviews of governance.

Evaluation:

• Ability to put the needs of the trust first and is willing to step down or move on at the appropriate time
• Capable of using regulatory feedback fully to inform decisions about trust development