Icon (the Institute of Conservation) is a charitable company working to safeguard cultural heritage and is also the professional membership body for the conservation profession.
Icon’s trustees are responsible for shaping our vision and mission and for approving and monitoring our annual business plan.
Trustees also take decisions on all strategic matters and are responsible for the sound financial management of the company, although the day-to-day running of the organisation is delegated to the chief executive, supported by the management team. All trustees are also directors of the limited company.
There are currently 15 members of the Board of Trustees; 10 trustees were elected by the membership and 5 were co-opted by the Board. Each year a number of trustees reach the end of their terms of office and are replaced with new trustees. Elected trustees are chosen by the membership and we use an open recruitment process for co-opted trustees.
Trustees have a key role to play in ensuring that our organisation delivers its strategy, so it is important that the Board has a broad mix of skilled and capable members. We need people who can think strategically and act collaboratively; people who are willing to devote time and energy to supporting Icon’s staff to deliver our annual priorities. Trustees also need to be able to critically assess ideas and proposals, and to make decisions that are in the best interests of the charitable company.
Being a trustee requires a considerable commitment from individuals, but it is also a rewarding experience, and offers an opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills, which can be a useful addition to your CV. Icon provides an induction workshop and a ‘Board buddy’ for all new trustees and we also encourage trustees to undertake additional training during their time on the Board.
If you would like to find out more, there are various additional resources on this webpage, or you can contact us for an initial chat.
Icon Chief Executive Sara Crofts describes the key duties of charity trustees and outlines the Board's responsibility for setting the strategy for the organisation.
You can download a copy of the presentation slides below:
Getting on Board (Presentation Slides)
Find out more about what it means to be a trustee