Every trust has members who have a similar role to shareholders of a company limited by shares. They:

• are the subscribers to the memorandum of association (where they are founding members)
• may amend the articles of association subject to any restrictions created by the funding agreement or charity law
• may, by special resolution, appoint new members or remove existing members other than, where there is one, the foundation/sponsor body and any members it has appointed
• have powers to appoint trustees as set out in the trust’s articles of association and powers under the Companies Act 2006 to remove trustees
• may, by special resolution, issue direction to the trustees to take a specific action
• appoint the trust’s external auditors and receive (but do not sign) the audited annual report and accounts (subject to the Companies Act)
• have power to change the company’s name and, ultimately, wind it up.

Working with the Governors (Trustees).

As responsibility to conduct the trust’s business sits with the trustees, members should be ‘eyes on and hands off’ and avoid compromising the board’s discretion.

However if the governance of the trust by the board of trustees becomes dysfunctional the members will have a strong interest in ensuring the board has plans to address the issues or otherwise to remove the board or individual trustees and re-appoint trustees with the skills necessary for effective governance.

It is important, therefore, for members to be kept informed about trust business so they can be assured that the board is exercising effective governance. This must include providing the members with the trust’s audited annual report and accounts

MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY TRUST:

Jim Meechan 

Peter Jacobs 

Clarence Mitchell

If you are interested in becoming a Member of our Academy Trust, please email clerktogovernors@avenue.reading.sch.uk