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Key Personal Responsibilities

It is a fundamental principle of governance that all members of governing bodies - irrespective of the basis of their appointment or election - have a shared corporate responsibility.

The CUC have produced an outline role description for governing body members (Word, 27kb) the introduction to which highlights three main responsibilities:

Members are expected to play an appropriate part in ensuring that the necessary business of the governing body is carried on efficiently, effectively, and in a manner appropriate for the proper conduct of public business. They are expected to make rational and constructive contributions to debate and to make their knowledge and expertise available to the governing body as opportunity arises.
Members have a responsibility for ensuring that the governing body acts in accordance with the instruments of governance of the institution and with its internal rules and regulations, and should seek advice from the clerk or secretary in any case of uncertainty.
Members are required to accept collective responsibility for the decisions reached by the governing body. Members elected, nominated or appointed by particular constituencies may not act as if delegated by the group they represent, and may not be bound in any way by mandates given to them by others.

Many institutions include their expectations of governors in a code of conduct.

Annex I of Part 1 of the Financial Memorandum with HEFCE (in England) summarises the responsibilities of governing bodies.

More information on the responsibilities and duties of governing bodies.

Powerpoint presentations:

The Role of Governors and the Key Challenges they face, Allan Schofield

Key Challenges for Governors, Professor Sir David Watson

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