Members of the academy trust: roles and responsibilities

The role: in summary

Members are similar to a company's shareholders - they sit above the board of trustees and have a largely hands-off role. 

Members can be trustees, but the latest model articles of association now include a requirement that the majority of members must not also serve as trustees (see article 12B).

Their key responsibilities include appointing the trustees and holding them to account for the successful governance of the trust and furthering the trust's charitable objects.

The rules for your trust regarding the members are set out in your articles of association. Consult these first if you have any questions. 

Key responsibilities

Are signatories to the articles of association (when they are founding members) Can pass a special resolution to: Amend the articles of association Appoint new members or remove existing members Direct trustees to take a specific action Can appoint trustees, according to the trust's articles of association, and can also remove serving