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Council

Our board of trustees, known as the Council, are responsible for the Society’s governance and meet three times per year.

There are 21 members of Council, and they are nominated and elected for a three year term of office by our Fellows. In addition, up to four members are co-opted onto Council, including a postgraduate student representative.

The expertise and interests of Council members represent the main areas our activity and bring a breadth of experience from the wider world.

The Council is chaired by the President who is elected for a three year term. The current President is Nigel Clifford.

The Council has four committees that consider matters of strategy and implementation relating to their specific areas of expertise and which advise the Council and Society staff. They are: Education Committee, Expeditions and Fieldwork Committee, Finance Committee, and Research and Higher Education Committee. There are also a small number of specialist sub-committees that advise the Council.

Our work is guided by a strategic plan which provides the context, focus and aspirations for the Society’s development. The strategic plan is supported by implementation, business and fundraising plans, as well as a comprehensive risk review. Our annual operating plans are derived from these documents.