Information for Trustees and Non-Executive Directors

Information for Trustees and Non-Executive Directors

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIFE

Why be a Trustee or Non-Executive Director at Life?

The International Centre for Life – or Life, as we’re known – is an incredibly special place. Life is an iconic, vibrant science village in the heart of the city and was home to the first science centre in the world to be used as an NHS large vaccination centre during the Covid pandemic. Groundbreaking biomedical research by Newcastle University scientists takes place here – often making headlines around the world – and the two NHS clinics on site treat thousands of patients each year. The award-winning science centre aims to inspire everyone to explore and enjoy science and to discover its relevance to their own lives – never more important than now!

Since Life opened in 2000, we have impacted positively on the lives of thousands of people: families enjoying a day out in the science centre; children visiting as part of a school group, or people enjoying the nightclubs and the seasonal ice rink. You may have attended a conference here or someone you know may have received fertility treatment or help with a genetically inherited condition at one of the NHS clinics. Up to 500,000 people visit the site every year.

We believe that there is nowhere quite like Life anywhere in the world and we never stand still. For example, we recently invested over £1.5 million in improving and enhancing the science centre through new and exciting interactive exhibits and installing Digistar 7, the world’s most advanced planetarium system that uses state of the art projectors and stunning imagery to create a truly immersive experience for visitors. And the last year has seen our community

engagement programme acknowledged through two major awards for our work with autistic people and audiences with sensory needs.

The Life business model is an unusual one. In order to deliver its charitable mission of engaging the North East public in science and supporting the great work that takes place on site, Life manages a diverse portfolio of commercial income generators to meet its operating costs and it does this without any public subsidy.

We have exciting plans for the future and are now looking for individuals who can help us make those plans a reality. So, if you would like to be part of this innovative and exciting organisation and work with a team of passionate and committed people, read on to find out what it means to be a Trustee on our main board or a Non-Executive Director of our commercial company.

Images (clockwise from top left). Life was the first science centre in the world to become an NHS Covid-19 large vaccination centre. Visitors enjoying a show in the planetarium – the biggest in the North East. Life’s iconic gateway to Times Square.

Life’s purpose and values

We live in a world that is increasingly shaped by science and technology. Life’s purpose is to inspire everyone in North East England – of all ages, from all communities – to explore and enjoy science; to discover its relevance to their own lives and to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals.

It’s never been more important to inspire people to explore the big issues facing humanity and how science can help us to tackle them. We are one team and everything we do is rooted in the following values:

Welcoming: our team, our customers and our communities are diverse and we celebrate that! We want everyone to feel comfortable, respected and valued.

Exceptional: our customers and staff deserve the best and we go over-and-above to exceed their expectations.

Honest: we are trustworthy, unbiased and behave fairly, ethically and responsibly at all times.

Curious: we encourage everyone to question everything and explore science and technology through hands-on experiences and individual discovery.

Entrepreneurial: we’re not scared to push boundaries and try bold, unusual and edgy ways to achieve our ambitions.

Collaborative: we will continue to partner with those who share our passion and values.

Images (left – right). Groundbreaking biomedical research by Newcastle University takes place at Life. Visitors testing a hand-made ‘stomp rocket’ in the Making Studios.

What it means to be a Life Trustee

Life is governed by a Board of Trustees. The position of Trustee carries legal duties and responsibilities. It is a voluntary role, undertaken by people who are passionate about what we do, are committed to our vision and share our values. As a Life Trustee, you will help shape the Trust’s strategic direction with the executive team and evaluate its performance against agreed goals.

Although you don’t need to be a scientist or work in a scientific environment, we would expect you to be interested in, and curious about, science and technology and be passionate about making it accessible and relevant to the people of the North East.

There is a time commitment. As a minimum you will need to attend four meetings per year but, wherever possible, you will be an ambassador for Life, including supporting us at Life events and acting as a ‘critical friend’.

In return, we can offer you the opportunity to be part of a truly unique organisation at the cutting edge of science, working with an agile group of people who are not frightened to take risksand you will have great fun along the way!

it means to be a Non-Executive Director of Life’s Commercial Company

Life’s Commercial Company is a subsidiary of the Trust and meets on a quarterly basis. It currently comprises 3 Non-Executive Directors and two Trustees from the main board. The company is charged with overseeing Life’s commercial activities, to ensure that they generate the maximum income to enable the Trust to carry out its charitable objectives.

The portfolio is a varied one. The majority of Life’s commercial income is derived from property rental and this comes principally from Newcastle University as well as the NHS and entertainment venues on site. Income also comes from the nearby Times Square Car Park, and events that are held in Times Square, including an outdoor ice rink. Two cafes and a shop are also included in this eclectic mix. The profits from all of these activities are passed from the Commercial Company to the Trust in the form of gift aid on an annual basis.

Non-Executive Directors will receive a small remuneration.

We would love to hear from individuals who are currently active in the property world and understand not only what is involved in keeping a suite of buildings in excellent order but also have a finger on the pulse of current trends and future opportunities, including those in the entertainment and leisure sectors.

A list of key responsibilities for both roles can be found at the end of this document.

Non-Executive Directors Images (left – right). Visitors admiring Gaia, a seven-metre-diameter recreation of planet Earth. Life’s annual open-air ice rink is a firm festive favourite.

What

Could you be Life’s next Trustee or Non-Executive Director?

We are always interested to hear from people who can help contribute to Life’s success. We welcome people from all walks of life, who benefit from different experiences and perspectives. We are especially keen to broaden the diversity of our Boards, so welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; disabled people; and younger people.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Fiona Cruickshank, Chair of the Board

fiona@leadcandidate.com, or Linda Conlon, Chief Executive linda@life.org.uk.

Who will you be working with?

Trustees

• Fiona Cruickshank OBE, Chair: Angel investor and founder of pharmaceutical manufacturing businesses.

• John Downes: North East Area Director and Head of Youth, StreetGames.

• Mathen Ganesan: Executive Vice President, Intellectual Ventures (IV) Investment Fund.

• Louise Hunter MBE: Director of Corporate Affairs, Northumbrian Water.

• Professor Jane Robinson DL: Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Engagement and Place, Newcastle University.

• Mark Ryan: Director of Product, Shopify.

Life Senior Management Team

• Linda Conlon MBE DL: Chief Executive.

• Claire Adams: Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive.

• Professor Roy Sandbach OBE: Chair, Northern Accelerator.

• Tracey Stonehouse: Director of Finance, Procurement and Compliance, CPI.

• Professor Joris Veltman: Dean of Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University.

• Lucy Winskell OBE LL: Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear and Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

• Councillor Margaret Wood: Labour Councillor, Walker Ward, Newcastle.

Fiona Cruickshank OBE Chair of the Board

fiona@leadcandidate.com

• Julia Hankin: Marketing, Communications and IT Director.

• Kate Peel: Finance Director.

Linda Conlon MBE DL Chief Executive

linda@life.org.uk

Duties and responsibilities

Although both roles carry legal duties and responsibilities, the Trust is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the organisation whilst the commercial company concentrates on income generating activities.

Trustees and Non-Executive Directors are required to:-

• Support the overall mission of the Centre for Life, act honestly, with independent judgement and be committed to working in our best interests;

• Ensure there is clear direction and the necessary focus on achieving this;

• Be responsible for overall performance and ensure that there are appropriate financial controls, accounting systems and insurances in place to protect our resources, finances and property portfolio and prevent any abuse or loss of funds and assets;

• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements and take external advice where appropriate. Areas of particular importance are financial statements, governance, health and safety, employment, equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion and risk management;

• Act with integrity and to not let personal views, prejudices or wider interests affect their conduct. Any potential conflicts of interest must be identified so they can be managed accordingly.