Information for Trustees

Information for Trustees

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIFE International Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4EP @scienceatlife on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Registered charity number 1059607

life.org.uk

Why be a Life Trustee?

The International Centre for Life – or Life, as we’re known – is an incredibly special place. But don’t just take our word for it.

In March 2021, the BBC was looking for a venue to host three national programmes (on BBC One, Radio 4 and Radio 5 live) all to be broadcast on 23 March, to mark the first anniversary of the Covid lockdown. As well as reflecting on the previous year, the programmes were looking to the future; asking how the world will change beyond the pandemic. The NHS and the amazing work of scientists are, of course, central to this ongoing story.

They chose Life for many reasons. Life is an iconic, vibrant science village in the heart of the city and home to the first science centre in the world to be used as an NHS large vaccination centre. Groundbreaking biomedical research by Newcastle University scientists takes place here – often making headlines around the world – and the two NHS clinics on site do life-enhancing work. 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! More than 8 million people have now watched or listened to those programmes with Life centre stage.

International Centre for Life – information for Trustees

Since Life opened in 2000, we have positively impacted the lives of thousands of people, in many ways: 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 clinics on site. Up to 500,000 people visit the site every year.

Life’s business model is a highly unusual blend of charity (not for profit) and commercial (for profit). The diversity and breadth of our income sources ensures that we can meet all our operating costs without public subsidy.

There is nowhere quite like Life anywhere else in the world. If you are interested in joining our Board to be part of this innovative and exciting organisation, help shape our future and work with a team of passionate, committed people – read on!

Images clockwise from top left: Lockdown Live: What Next?, BBC One, from Life Science Centre; Life’s outdoor ice rink; live performance in Times Square.

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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: elcoming: our team, our customers and our W communities are diverse and we celebrate that!

We want everyone to feel comfortable, respected and valued. xceptional: our customers and staff deserve the best E and we go over-and-above to exceed their expectations.

International Centre for Life – information for Trustees

onest: we are trustworthy, unbiased and behave H 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.

ntrepreneurial: we’re not scared to push boundaries E and try bold, unusual and edgy ways to achieve our ambitions. ollaborative: we will continue to partner with those C who share our passion and values.

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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 risks - and you will have great fun along the way!

A full list of Trustee responsibilities can be found at the end of this document.

International Centre for Life – information for Trustees

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Who will you be working with?

Trustees

• • • •

Fiona Cruickshank OBE, Chair: Angel investor and

founder of pharmaceutical manufacturing businesses.

Professor Joris Veltman: Dean of Biosciences Institute at Newcastle University.

Professor Jane Robinson: Dean of Engagement and Place at Newcastle University.

Lucy Winskell OBE DL: Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Employability and Partnerships) at Northumbria University and Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Life Senior Management Team

• • •

Linda Conlon MBE DL: Chief Executive.

Claire Adams: Property and Corporate Services Director.

Natalie Daring: Science Engagement Director.

International Centre for Life – information for Trustees

• • • • •

Professor Roy Sandbach OBE: President of the Royal Society of Chemistry Industry Council.

Councillor Irim Ali: Legal assistant, elected councillor for the Wingrove Ward in Newcastle and Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Public Health.

Liz Mayes: Chief Executive of The Common Room of the Great North.

Emerita Professor Katie Bushby: Newcastle University (John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre).

Fiona Cruickshank OBE Chair of the Board fiona@ramarketingpr.com

Louise Hunter MBE: Director of Corporate Affairs at Northumbrian Water.

• • •

Liz Dean: Trading and Operations Director.

Julia Hankin: Marketing and Communications Director.

Kate Little: Finance Director.

Linda Conlon MBE DL Chief Executive linda@life.org.uk

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Are you our next Trustee?

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 the Board, so welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; disabled people; and younger people.

At the moment, we are particularly interested to hear from individuals who have skills and experience in the areas of finance, workforce development and the digital arena.

Finance: We are looking to recruit a Trustee with broad financial experience, who has perhaps run their own business or operated at a senior level in a commercial environment. You will be comfortable reviewing financial information and understand the dynamics between a charitable enterprise and its commercial subsidiary.

Ideally you will have experience of investment monitoring and/or the external audit process.

Workforce Development: Life’s greatest asset is our staff. As part of our strategy to drive a culture of

excellence, we are particularly interested to hear from individuals with knowledge of workforce development at a senior level. You will have the skills to support and question the Life team as we continue our quest to create a talented and inclusive workforce and embed innovative ways of working across the organisation.

Digital: We would love to hear from individuals who have a comprehensive understanding of the key trends in digital and the opportunities and risks involved. The past year has seen an increasing emphasis on digital mechanisms to enhance business performance and we are keen to exploit this to our advantage by embedding digital ways of working in both our mission-driven and commercial activities.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Fiona Cruickshank, Chair of the Board (fiona@ramarketingpr.com), or Linda Conlon, Chief Executive (linda@life.org.uk).

International Centre for Life – information for Trustees

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Trustees’ duties and responsibilities The position of Trustee carries legal duties and responsibilities. It is a voluntary role, undertaken because the individual is committed to furthering the purposes of the Trust and has some of the skills, experience and personal qualities needed for its strategic management.

The Trustees have overall responsibility for the policy and strategic management of the charity. They control the charity’s affairs, funds, property and give ultimate direction to its activities. The day-to-day operations are conducted by the charity’s staff, under the overall leadership and supervision of the Trustees.

Trustees must act at all times in the interests of the Trust alone. They cannot let their personal views, prejudices or wider interests affect their conduct as Trustees. Any conflict of interest permitted by the charity’s constitution must be dealt with strictly in accordance with the terms of that constitution.

Trustees receive no fees, remuneration, salary or other financial benefits nor any other material benefits in their role as Trustees. Unless expressly permitted by the charity’s constitution, they must not profit or benefit personally, directly or indirectly, from the charity.

International Centre for Life – information for Trustees

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Trustees’ duties and responsibilities Trustees must broadly agree with the overall mission of the Centre for Life, act honestly, with independent judgement and be committed to working in the best interests of the Trust.

It is important that all Trustees know what objects are stated in the Trust’s constitution and realise the Trust’s activities must be kept within its objects. ICFL’s objects and powers are contained in its Memorandum and Articles of Association, a copy of which will be provided to you.

Trustees’ key responsibilities with other Trustees are to hold the charity ‘in trust’ for current and future beneficiaries by: a) Ensuring that the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these. b) Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for its ‘corporate’ behaviour. c) Ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements. d) Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.

International Centre for Life – information for Trustees

e) Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard.

and to enable the Trustees to monitor its finances, including any investments and property portfolio.

f) Review and monitor the performance of the Chief Executive.

The Trustees should ensure the charity complies with all relevant requirements of charity law and company law.

In addition, general legal requirements must be observed.

Hence, the Trustees must safeguard the charity’s funds, property and other assets (including intangible assets such as reputation and intellectual property rights, e.g. copyright, trademarks, domain names) whilst applying them towards the charity’s objects.

The Trustees should ensure the charity has adequate funds and income for its current and foreseeable future needs. The charity must be safeguarded from insolvency.

This requires a balance to be struck between applying sufficient of the disposable funds to the charitable activities and maintaining adequate financial reserves for future needs and unforeseen contingencies.

Appropriate financial controls, accounting systems and insurances must be in place to prevent abuse or loss of funds and assets, to protect all the charity’s resources

Areas of particular importance are: a) financial statements; b) governance; c) health and safety; d) employment, equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion; e) risk management and insurance.

The Trustees should obtain and consider professional legal, accountancy, taxation, investment and other advice whenever required to do so by law and at other times when it is appropriate to do so.

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Personal interests and conflicts Charity law and, company law, require full revelation of personal interests. Any potential conflicts of interest must be identified, notified to the Board and managed under the Trust’s policy for handling conflicts of interest. A Trustee cannot let an actual conflict of interest inhibit the proper exercise of their powers and the fulfilling of their duties and responsibilities. If an unmanageable conflict arises a Trustee should resign.

All material personal interests (direct or indirect, financial or other) of a Trustee should be properly recorded in the minutes of the relevant Trustees’ meeting. Trustees are required on appointment to complete declarations of their ability and willingness to act as a Trustee and disclosures of transactions and connected persons.

International Centre for Life – information for Trustees

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life.org.uk International Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4EP @scienceatlife on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Registered charity number 1059607