The Edinburgh International Book Festival is looking for several new members to join the Book Festival’s Board of Trustees. We are seeking to appoint trustees with specific skills, experience, and interest in any of the following areas:

• Writing and/or illustration (based in Scotland)

• Publishing/media (wider UK)

• Finance and risk

• Law

• Community engagement/creative learning

• Sustainability/climate emergency

Key Information

• Board meetings take place four times per year in March, June, October, and December. Meetings are held in central Edinburgh and take place during the day. There is the option to join remotely.

• Trustees are appointed for a term of 5 years initially, with the option to stand for re-election for an additional 3-year period.

• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings (including costs of childcare) and other Festival related activities will be paid.

• The Edinburgh International Book Festival’s work is framed by a commitment to equality, diversity, care, and inclusion.

• We want to create a working environment where everyone is treated fairly and our differences are celebrated as strengths. We actively encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We also welcome applications from younger people in the early stages of their careers (aged 21-35) who are keen to build their board and strategic leadership experience.

• For any questions, please contact our Executive Assistant, Danielle McCann danielle.mccann@edbookfest.co.uk in the first instance to arrange a call

Background

For 425 years, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow has been improving health and healthcare for people around the world. Today, we remain the only multidisciplinary Royal College in the UK, home to more than 15,000 physicians, surgeons, dental surgeons and specialists in the fields of travel medicine and podiatric medicine.

College Vision, Purpose and Values

Our vision is to build an influential global community that enables our members to develop the skills, knowledge and influence to improve healthcare standards worldwide. Our purpose is built around delivering:

• Excellent education and outstanding member experience
• Elevated standards through assessment and gold-standard qualifications
• Transformative impact on health, wellbeing and the wider world

Our values support us in the delivery of our purpose, and articulate what we stand for, and the way we work. We live and work according to the values of:

• Community
• Integrity
• Innovation
• Inspiration
• Inclusivity

Purpose of the Audit and Risk Committee

The Audit and Risk Committee’s purpose is to support the College Trustees/Executive Board and the Chief Executive Officer by reviewing the comprehensiveness and reliability of assurances on the adequacy of the College’s risk management processes, internal control environment, governance arrangements, and the integrity of the College’s Annual Report and Financial Statements.

Overview of role

The Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, who will also be a College Trustee, will work closely with College’s President, Registrar, CEO and Director of Finance, Operations and ICT Services to guide the Committee in achieving its purpose.

The Chair of this Committee is a member of College’s Executive Board.

This role is non-remunerated. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Trustee responsibilities

Trustees are responsible for the overall strategic direction, leadership, supervision and control of the activities and affairs of the College. They must use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that they:

• Exercise proper control over the College’s activities, assets, staff and consultants.
• Ensure that the College acts in compliance with all legal requirements.
• Set or approve appropriate strategies, policies, proposals and budgets, and monitor theCollege’s performance against them.
• Put in place an appropriate framework of delegation, and appropriate systems of internalcontrol.
• Conduct the affairs of the College with honesty and integrity.
• Carry out regular risk reviews and take appropriate steps to manage or otherwise respond tosignificant risks to the College and its affairs.
• The affairs and activities of the College are sufficiently able to stand the test of scrutiny bythe public, the media, charity regulators, Fellows and Members, other stakeholders,Parliaments and the courts.
• Comply with all applicable statutes, rules and regulations and the Trustee Code of Conduct.

Time Commitment

The Chair will be required to attend four Audit & Risk Committee meetings, six Executive Board meetings and six Council meetings each year, an annual time commitment of roughly 40 hours. The Chair will be expected to work closely with the Chair of College’s Finance & Investment Committee.

Additional ad hoc meetings are also likely to be required.

While some in person attendance will be required, meetings are generally hybrid.

The Chair of the Committee will be appointed for a term of three years with the option of serving a maximum of two terms by mutual agreement with the Chair of the Trustees

Person Profile

College is looking for a Chair who has:

• Significant professional experience overseeing one or more of statutory audit, internal audit,or organisational risk management of complex, customer focused organisations.
• Knowledge of the charitable sector.
• Experience of a Professional Body and/or at least one of Membership, Education,Examinations or the Health sector would be advantageous.
• A relevant professional qualification and membership of a professional body.
• Strong commercial acumen.
• The gravitas and personality to contribute effectively as a College Trustee and member of College’s Executive Board.

Director/Trustee of the Renfield Centre

The Renfield Centre is looking to appoint several individuals to its Board of Directors. The Board plays an essential and active role in pursuing the successful operation and development of the Renfield Centre, which is a Scottish charitable company limited by guarantee (SC153177; SC022996), located in the City Centre in premises owned by the Renfield Street Trust. With its Christian ethos (but no denominational affiliations) it is committed to the improvement of the wellbeing of the whole community, in physical, mental and spiritual respects. It provides short-term lets of serviced, IT-equipped accommodation, with capacities ranging from 8 to 200, to facilitate a huge range of social, professional, learning and creative activities. It also supports developments in the performing arts, and in addition offers long-term subsidised accommodation to enable particular charities to continue their vital work in meeting specialised needs. It presently employs a small team of seven permanent staff. It was incorporated in 1994.

It is an interesting time to become involved, as the Centre is on the threshold of initiating significant developments which will increase its prominence and contribute to the improvement of the ambience of this part of the City Centre. This will include the re-establishment of an integral café, operated by a wholly-owned trading subsidiary Renfield Enterprises

The Board is looking for enthusiastic and energetic individuals from all walks of life who feel they can become committed to the Centre’s objectives and take an active part in the Board’s deliberations and decision-making. The Board generally meets once a month, afternoon or evening and in-person or hybrid as arranged. Past experience in a relevant context is expected, and competencies in management, marketing or finance would be useful but not essential.

Directors of the company are simultaneously Trustees in respect of its charitable recognition.

We are delighted that you are considering a role of Trustee of the University of the West of Scotland Students' Union. We have 20,000 members across five University campuses in Ayr, Dumfries, Lanarkshire, Paisley and London.

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is sector leading in breaking down barriers to students from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds accessing Higher Education. Our Students' Union plays a vital role in ensuring ALL students across ALL campuses get the support they need to ensure they achieve their academic goals and have an excellent student experience.

If you are passionate about advancing the opportunities for students and supporting the development of a dynamic and passionate students' union this would be a great opportunity for you!

A key value of our students' union is promoting Equality and Diversity - Advancing equality and breaking down barriers in all that we do. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of their race, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status or any other

diversity. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments you may require in the recruitment process or once in the post.