Members of Board of Trustees

The Board of CaSE is seeking new trustees to help steer the organisation in the next phase of its evolution, to oversee and facilitate its exciting programme of work, and to diversify the input and perspectives we receive. New trustees should be committed to advocacy of R&D, promotion of collaborative and partnership working, and to equality, diversity and inclusion.

About CaSE

CaSE exists to put science and engineering at the heart of the UK’s future. We are a membership organisation and registered charity representing the breadth of the research sector in all four nations of the UK.

Our membership spans 110 scientific organisations including universities, businesses, research charities, professional societies and hundreds of individual scientists and engineers. We collaborate closely with our members, partners in the wider sector, and the public to lend our clear, expert voice to decisions about research and development. By offering responsive and non-partisan solutions, we aim to help research and innovation thrive in a way that improves people’s lives and livelihoods.

CaSE is a small organisation that has a big impact. Over the last year alone CaSE has made significant and valued contributions to the discussion and scrutiny of major issues facing UK research, including; the UK’s association to Horizon Europe; public attitudes to UK R&D; the skills needs of UK R&D including the debate around immigration and international students; and the General Election campaign. Alongside these areas of work, CaSE maintains an active media presence, providing a voice for our members and the sector. Through major events such as our flagship Annual Lecture, CaSE acts a as a focal point for UK science, engineering, and R&D policy discussions.

On our website you can find out more about the Purpose and Values of CaSE and about our current Board members. As set out in our Articles of Association, the charitable objectives of CaSE are “promoting science and engineering and to highlight the importance of these fields … especially within research and development funding; education; the use of science and engineering for public policy; diversity; and economic issues.”

What we are looking for

The Board of CaSE is seeking new trustees to help steer the organisation in the next phase of its evolution, to oversee and facilitate its exciting programme of work, and to diversify the input and perspectives we receive. New trustees should be committed to advocacy of R&D, promotion of collaborative and partnership working, and to equality, diversity and inclusion.

CaSE believes that a diverse Board is a more effective Board. We are very keen to increase the diversity of our board so that it better reflects the community we represent and the wider public. We currently have a fantastic and committed Board, but we are aware that there are several groups who are underrepresented amongst our Trustees. We are committed to changing this.

With this in mind, we particularly welcome applications from those from ethnic minority groups, women, and those living with a disability, as we want our board to be more representative of our community. Previous board or trustee experience is not necessary, and we actively welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds.

We are seeking a new Treasurer with finance or accountancy skills and two further trustees ideally with legal or campaigning experience.

Treasurer

The Treasurer role involves:

• Overseeing all financial aspects of CaSE as chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee to ensure the organisation’s short and long-term financial sustainability.
• Ensuring that the Committee fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the proper financial governance of a registered organisation.
• Delivering regular financial reports to the Board.

This position requires experience of accounting and financial management and someone who is keen to support the growth and governance of CaSE to enable it to continue to be the leading independent advocate for science and engineering in the UK. There will be a one-year overlap with our current Treasurer who is stepping down in 2025.

Legal

For our trustee with a legal background, we require a qualified legal professional, ideally with an understanding of advising Charities, and someone who is keen to support the growth and governance of CaSE to enable it to continue to be the leading independent advocate for science and engineering in the UK. There will be a one-year overlap with our current legal Board member who is stepping down in 2025.

The opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity to be part of the UK’s leading advocate for science and engineering, influencing its direction, and working with experts from every corner of the research and innovation ecosystem. You will bring your unique perspective to a team with a proven record for supporting and influencing our national research and innovation landscape. This is an exciting time to join the CaSE Board as we work to put science and engineering at the heart of the UK’s future.

CaSE is both a charity and a company limited by guarantee, therefore the CaSE Board are trustees of the charity and non-executive directors of the company. The Board is responsible for the good governance and financial management of the organisation. The Board helps set the strategic direction of CaSE and use their broad range of expertise in an advisory capacity to the staff who run the organisation on a day-to-day basis. Directors are not remunerated for their role on the Board, but can claim reasonable travel expenses. The term of appointment is three years, with the option of remaining on the Board for a second term (six years in total). 

The CaSE Board meets four times a year using a combination of virtual and in person meetings in January, April, June, and October. Additionally, we hold an AGM in November, three Finance and General Purposes Committee (FGPC) meetings (applicable for the Treasurer role), and an annual lecture in the winter.

To perform their duties as a trustee and director of the company, Board members are expected to attend Board meetings and the AGM. Candidates are asked to consider if they can make a firm commitment to attend Board meetings for the duration of their term of appointment. It is our goal to ensure that at meetings all voices are heard and that different perspectives are considered in decision-making processes. To this end, we will make any reasonable adjustments necessary to fully accommodate all Board members that they can participate fully in all discussions.

We are seeking to appoint up to three new Board members at our Annual General Meeting in November 2024, and welcome both nominations and direct applications for candidates.

Application process

To apply, please outline in no more than 500 words how you meet at least one of the above criteria, you may also submit a 2-page CV. Please send this to recruitment@sciencecampaign.org.uk by midnight on Thursday 5th September.

We also ask applicants to consider submitting a diversity monitoring form along with their application. This confidential form has no impact on the recruitment process, however will enable us to evaluate and improve our recruitment process.

All information submitted will be handled in accordance with the CaSE Privacy Policy.

If you would like to discuss the role, or would like to request any adjustments to the recruitment process, please contact Nesh Ismail, CaSE Office Manager (recruitment@sciencecampaign.org.uk), who will arrange for you to speak with the Chair of the Nominations and Appointments Committee, Ron Mobed, or a suitable alternative.

The Nominations and Appointments Committee will draw up a shortlist of candidates in early September. Following this, interviews with prospective candidates will be arranged as required, with candidates being notified of the results shortly after. New Board members will be formally announced at the November AGM.

In drawing up the shortlist, the committee will consider the needs of the Board in terms of skills and experience and will also play close attention to the current and future diversity of the Board, both in terms of protected characteristics and also in terms of professional representation.