As a registered charity we are governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board is there to make sure we uphold our principles, and make good strategic and financial choices. All our trustees are unpaid volunteers. We have 15 trustees, who are elected for three-year terms, and then have the option to extend for a further two years by agreements with the Board.

Our trustees work alongside two appointed ex officio members. These members do not have a finite term. They represent Bishopsgate Institute not their own institutions while serving on our Board.

Our Board also includes voluntary Honorary Advisors, as well as consultants and other specialist advisors as required.

Purpose and main tasks of the Board

• Hold the organisation in trust for current and future generations of users
• Oversee Bishopsgate Institute’s strategic direction
• Formally sign off statutory accounts and annual budget
• Fulfil the three legal duties of Trustees
• Delegate authority to standing committees and the Chief Executive as appropriate and review such delegation on a regular basis
• Oversee governance, charitable giving and human resources, and authorise individual Trustees to lead in these areas.

Our Board reviews the activities of the Institute through two principal committees. These committees are the Finance & General Purposes Committee (F&GP) and the Programmes Committee. They meet three times a year, or as required.

Purpose of the Finance Committee

• Work and coordinate with standing committees and the Chair of the Board of Trustees
• Review the statutory accounts and recommend them to the Board
• Review and recommend the budget and forecasts to the Board
• Monitor financial performance against budget and forecast, and recommend any corrective action
• Monitor financial controls
• Maintain a risk register and take a regular review of all risks
• Review proposed major capital expenditure
• Scrutinise progress on major projects
• Review investment strategy and performance
• Work with Programme Committee to ensure budgets support the strategic plan.

Purpose of the Programme Committee

• Work and coordinate with standing committees and the Chair of the Board of Trustees
• Retain oversight, and support and advise the executive on the strategic plan
• Monitor operational performance against the Institute’s mission and strategic objectives
• Work with the Finance Committee to ensure budgets support the strategic plan.