Trustee Elections 2025 are now open
TRUSTEE VACANCIES
The Society for Experimental Biology welcomes nominations from members for the following Trustee positions that become available in July 2025:
- Treasurer (4-year term)
If you would like to nominate yourself, or someone you know, for the position of Treasurer please complete the forms available at this link:
-
Download here
TREASURER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Treasurer ROLE description
The Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) welcomes nominations for the role of Treasurer.
Information on the role and obligations of a Trustee can be found at: The essential Trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do (CC3) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
ABOUT SEB TRUSTEES
Trustees make active and dynamic contributions to the Council (that serves as the Trustee Board), using their wide-ranging skills, knowledge and experience to ensure good governance and the development of strategy for the Society.
The Board of Trustees has up to twelve elected members with specific expertise. Council consists of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Publications Officer, the Chairs of the three scientific sections (Animal, Cell and Plant), an Outreach, Education, and Diversity (OED) Trustee, an Early Career Trustee and up to three independent Trustees appointed for their skills and expertise in finance and other areas deemed necessary to ensure that the duties and obligations of the Trustee Board are fulfilled.
ABOUT the SEB Treasurer ROLE
The treasurer will be expected to have a key role in strategic financial and business planning and lead the Council through deliberations on these matters. The role of the treasurer is to maintain an overview of the Society's affairs, ensure financial viability as a going concern, and ensure that proper financial records and fiduciary procedures are maintained.
Term length: 4 years
Start date: 8th July 2025
PERSON SPECIFICATION/ CRITERIA
The Treasurer should have the following skills.
- Senior management level experience, including managing finances and engagement with Trustee Boards.
- Financial experience including of charity finance.
- Previous experience of chairing a senior governance body or similar.
- Strategic vision, with an interest in directly influencing the future activities of the Society; be able to constructively contribute to discussions on the future role of the Society that will be articulated through the Strategic Plan 2025-2030. Significant work is expected in the forthcoming term to manage the flip to Open Access and the impact of the turbulent economic landscape on Society finances.
- Good independent judgment providing financial analysis and leadership for informed decision making.
- Skills to develop and analyse policy proposals, in particular examining financial consequences.
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship.
- Evidence of commitment to the Society, preferably with experience of SEB processes and council structure.
- Be willing to commit to the considerable time required to effectively discharge the duties of Treasurer.
Overarching expectations
The Treasurer’s role includes:
- Overseeing and presenting budgets, accounts and other financial statements to Council for approval.
- Deliberating on risks to the Society and ensuring that this information is brought to the timely attention of trustees.
- With the Chief Executive Officer, sign off of the Society’s annual financial accounts.
- Being assured that the financial resources of the Society meet its present and future needs.
- Ensuring that the Society has an appropriate reserves policy according to the requirements of the UK Charities Commission.
- Ensuring that the Society has an appropriate investment policy that supports the strategic goals of the Society.
- Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the Society.
- Monitoring the Society's investment activity.
- Liaising with the Chief Executive Officer and external Finance and audit teams as required if any other issues arise with a possible financial impact on the Society.
With the Chief Executive Officer and the external finance and audit teams the Treasurer is responsible for:
- Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place and transparent.
- Responsible for ensuring that the Society complies with all relevant legislation.
- The preparation and presentation of the annual financial statements and risk registers to the Council.
- Ensure that the financial accounts are prepared and presented in the form required by the relevant statutory bodies.
- Ensure that the financial accounts are audited annually in accordance with the regulations and that any recommendations from the auditors are acted on to ensure compliance.
TIME Commitment
Attendance at up to five Council meetings
- We have two full business meetings, that take up to 4 hours, normally between 10am -1pm GMT and two partial business meetings that last for two hours each. We may have a short meeting at the annual conference.
- An option is available to attend all meetings virtually; in person attendance is encouraged at the November meeting which is held in London.
Providing the services of the Chair at up to three Audit and Risk Committee meetings per year.
These meetings normally last for 2 hours and are arranged a few weeks in advance of the Council meetings. There is the option to attend all meetings virtually.
Attending the HR and remuneration committee
Held once annually (often on the same day as the Audit and Risk Committee meetings.)
Attendance at meetings with external auditors and investment managers
These include audit planning and clearance meetings and annual review with investment managers (each meeting last up to 2 hours and are held virtually)
Attendance at up to three Publications Management Committee meetings.
These meetings normally last for 2-3 hours and are arranged within a week of the Council meetings. There is the option to attend all meetings virtually; attendance at one in person meeting (in November, the day before Council) is encouraged.
Engagement with the Executive team
Three of the honorary Officers; the President, Vice President and Treasurer; are empowered to take decisions on behalf of Council; during the intervening periods between Council meetings. This will require working with the executive team on urgent matters as needed, taking high-level decisions and managing risks (by email and/or virtual meetings.)
REMUNERATION
UK Charity law allows for the payment of travel and subsistence expenses resulting from undertaking SEB business but precludes any other payment to Trustees, as such this position unremunerated.
However, the Society is able to make a contribution of £1,000 per annum to your institution in support of your science, in agreement with our charity aims.
How to apply
To apply please download and complete the Treasurer Nomination Form. INSERT LINK
-
Download here
The deadline for nominations is the 15th May 2025.
If only one nomination is received for this position then that candidate will deem to be elected to the Council unopposed.
If voting is required, we will advertise on the website and via email, and all members will be eligible to vote.
In addition, the Society will appoint a Vice President in 2025, who will serve for two years as Vice President and then take up the position of President in July 2027.
The appointment of the President/Vice President of the Society is reserved for the decision of Council. However, members are welcome to send suggestions of suitably qualified individuals with a background in cell biology to the council using by email by the deadline of 15th May 2025. .
The eligibility criteria for the position of VP/President can be found HERE.
Please state their name, position and provide a short paragraph about their suitability for the position.
ELECTION PROCESS 2025
About the Council:
The SEB Council serves as the Trustee Board for the Society. The SEB is both a charity and a company limited by guarantee. As a member of Council you will be a trustee of the charity and a director of the company.
The Vice-President is nominated by each section in turn and is then appointed by Council. The appointment is for two years and then the Vice President is appointed President for a further two years.
The other positions are nominated by the membership and then elected by the members of the Society.
Eligibility of candidates:
A candidate for election to Council must be a member of the Society.
The Essential Trustee guidance, published by the Charity Commission, outlines the following eligibility criteria for trustees:
You must be at least 16 years old;
You must be properly appointed following the procedures and any restrictions in the charity’s governing document (SEB’s Articles of Association).
You must not act as a trustee if you are disqualified, unless authorised to do so by a waiver from the Commission. The reasons for disqualification include:
• being bankrupt (undischarged) or having an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA)
• having an unspent conviction for certain offences (including any that involve dishonesty or deception)
• being on the sex offenders’ register
As a Trustee you will be expected to declare all and any conflicts of interest and complete the Charity Commission for England & Wales Trustee Eligibility Declaration.
Eligibility to nominate or vote:
All members of the Society are eligible to nominate individuals for all vacant Council positions.
If voting is required, this will be advertised on the website and via email, and all members will be eligible to vote.
TIMELINE
Monday 14th April |
Announcement of vacant Trustee positions and call for nominations |
Thursday 15th May |
Deadline for nominations |
Tuesday 20th May |
If required, the election process will begin and be open for 3 weeks. |
Tuesday 10th June |
Voting closes |
Thursday 12th June |
COUNCIL MEETING |
Tuesday 8th July |
New Trustee terms begin |
The job descriptions for these posts are available at:
- Treasurer (4-year term)
TREASURER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Treasurer ROLE description
The Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) welcomes nominations for the role of Treasurer.
Information on the role and obligations of a Trustee can be found at: The essential Trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do (CC3) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
ABOUT SEB TRUSTEES
Trustees make active and dynamic contributions to the Council (that serves as the Trustee Board), using their wide-ranging skills, knowledge and experience to ensure good governance and the development of strategy for the Society.
The Board of Trustees has up to twelve elected members with specific expertise. Council consists of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Publications Officer, the Chairs of the three scientific sections (Animal, Cell and Plant), an Outreach, Education, and Diversity (OED) Trustee, an Early Career Trustee and up to three independent Trustees appointed for their skills and expertise in finance and other areas deemed necessary to ensure that the duties and obligations of the Trustee Board are fulfilled.
ABOUT the SEB Treasurer ROLE
The treasurer will be expected to have a key role in strategic financial and business planning and lead the Council through deliberations on these matters. The role of the treasurer is to maintain an overview of the Society's affairs, ensure financial viability as a going concern, and ensure that proper financial records and fiduciary procedures are maintained.
Term length: 4 years
Start date: 8th July 2025
PERSON SPECIFICATION/ CRITERIA
The Treasurer should have the following skills.
- Senior management level experience, including managing finances and engagement with Trustee Boards.
- Financial experience including of charity finance.
- Previous experience of chairing a senior governance body or similar.
- Strategic vision, with an interest in directly influencing the future activities of the Society; be able to constructively contribute to discussions on the future role of the Society that will be articulated through the Strategic Plan 2025-2030. Significant work is expected in the forthcoming term to manage the flip to Open Access and the impact of the turbulent economic landscape on Society finances.
- Good independent judgment providing financial analysis and leadership for informed decision making.
- Skills to develop and analyse policy proposals, in particular examining financial consequences.
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship.
- Evidence of commitment to the Society, preferably with experience of SEB processes and council structure.
- Be willing to commit to the considerable time required to effectively discharge the duties of Treasurer.
Overarching expectations
The Treasurer’s role includes:
- Overseeing and presenting budgets, accounts and other financial statements to Council for approval.
- Deliberating on risks to the Society and ensuring that this information is brought to the timely attention of trustees.
- With the Chief Executive Officer, sign off of the Society’s annual financial accounts.
- Being assured that the financial resources of the Society meet its present and future needs.
- Ensuring that the Society has an appropriate reserves policy according to the requirements of the UK Charities Commission.
- Ensuring that the Society has an appropriate investment policy that supports the strategic goals of the Society.
- Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the Society.
- Monitoring the Society's investment activity.
- Liaising with the Chief Executive Officer and external Finance and audit teams as required if any other issues arise with a possible financial impact on the Society.
With the Chief Executive Officer and the external finance and audit teams the Treasurer is responsible for:
- Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place and transparent.
- Responsible for ensuring that the Society complies with all relevant legislation.
- The preparation and presentation of the annual financial statements and risk registers to the Council.
- Ensure that the financial accounts are prepared and presented in the form required by the relevant statutory bodies.
- Ensure that the financial accounts are audited annually in accordance with the regulations and that any recommendations from the auditors are acted on to ensure compliance.
TIME Commitment
Attendance at up to five Council meetings
- We have two full business meetings, that take up to 4 hours, normally between 10am -1pm GMT and two partial business meetings that last for two hours each. We may have a short meeting at the annual conference.
- An option is available to attend all meetings virtually; in person attendance is encouraged at the November meeting which is held in London.
Providing the services of the Chair at up to three Audit and Risk Committee meetings per year.
These meetings normally last for 2 hours and are arranged a few weeks in advance of the Council meetings. There is the option to attend all meetings virtually.
Attending the HR and remuneration committee
Held once annually (often on the same day as the Audit and Risk Committee meetings.)
Attendance at meetings with external auditors and investment managers
These include audit planning and clearance meetings and annual review with investment managers (each meeting last up to 2 hours and are held virtually)
Attendance at up to three Publications Management Committee meetings.
These meetings normally last for 2-3 hours and are arranged within a week of the Council meetings. There is the option to attend all meetings virtually; attendance at one in person meeting (in November, the day before Council) is encouraged.
Engagement with the Executive team
Three of the honorary Officers; the President, Vice President and Treasurer; are empowered to take decisions on behalf of Council; during the intervening periods between Council meetings. This will require working with the executive team on urgent matters as needed, taking high-level decisions and managing risks (by email and/or virtual meetings.)
REMUNERATION
UK Charity law allows for the payment of travel and subsistence expenses resulting from undertaking SEB business but precludes any other payment to Trustees, as such this position unremunerated.
However, the Society is able to make a contribution of £1,000 per annum to your institution in support of your science, in agreement with our charity aims.
How to apply
To apply please download and complete the Treasurer Nomination Form. INSERT LINK
- Vice President (2-year term for VP and 2-year term for President)
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
With thanks and best regards,
The SEB Team