• About us Home
• The IET today
• Organisation
• Governance
• Annual reports
• AGMs and SGMs
• Elections
• Results of ballots
• Royal Charter and Bye-laws
• Appeals procedure
• Conduct of ballots
• Media centre
• Jobs at the IET
• Awards and scholarships
• Library and Archives
• Locations
• Contacts

Election of Trustees

Skills, Knowledge and Personal Characteristics of a Trustee of the Institution of Engineering And Technology

"The effectiveness of the Institution's Boards and Committees is enhanced by committee members, volunteers, non-members and staff working together and maintaining the highest standards of respect, trust and integrity"  (From the IET Code of Conduct for Boards and Committees)

Leadership

• Demonstrates commitment to the vision, mission and values of the organization.
• Thinks and acts with the best interests of the stakeholders; understands their needs.
• Understands the strength of the Institution’s charitable objectives, and helps develop its business process and culture.
• Remains focused and provides clarity for others in changing or unpredictable circumstances.
• Creates an environment which shapes the culture of the organisation.
• Demonstrates high ethical standards and integrity.
• Offers appropriate contribution and make considered judgments.

Strategic Thinking

• Contributes actively and effectively to the Board of Trustees in giving firm strategic direction.
• Forecasts trends and developments that will affect objectives.
• Introduces creative thinking.
• Identifies future consequences of a wide range of issues and the change management necessary to respond.
• Able to process information and find a clear way forward.
• Analyses the viability of new ideas and products in relation to both short and longer term objectives.
  
  

Decision Making

• Reaches conclusions based on a rational interpretation of the information available.
• Keeps to the appropriate level of detail.
• Weighs up the pros and cons.
• Acts and reacts in a timely and flexible fashion to requests, issues, emails or other events, based on consideration of the dependent needs of others.
• Develops practical solutions; has a 'can do' rather than 'won't do’ approach; positive thinker; makes it happen.
• Prepared to say ‘no’ when necessary and to respect priorities and resource constraints.

Communicating and Influencing

• Anticipates and uses the most effective approach to influence people and situations.
• Encourages and listens to the views and opinions of others.
• Presents an articulate and persuasive oral argument.
• Builds a network of effective relationships.

Representation and Image

• Demonstrates loyalty.
• Promotes and safeguards the good image and values of the organisation.
• Represents the organisation at events and meetings as designated.
• Abides by the equal opportunities policy.
• Builds and manages external relationships in order to meet the needs of the organisation, its members and other stakeholders.
• Is competent in the use of financial reports to assist in business development.
• Keeps abreast of relevant legislative and corporate governance issues.
• Has knowledge of the engineering and technology community.

Team Working

• Supports the formation of an effective partnership with the executive staff.
• Challenges freely and constructively.
• Accepts consensus decisions.
• Is individually and collectively responsible for the decisions of the Board of Trustees.
• Attends and participates effectively at the Board meetings and attends or Chairs any Committee meetings as designated by the Board.
• Connected to staff and volunteers; communicates openly; shares information and knowledge; networks internally and externally; persuades rather than pushes; involves colleagues and respects them.
• Thinks and acts for the community, the team, the stakeholders and the customer ahead of themselves, works for the greater good - does not act selfishly or in own interest.

Self Management

• Prepares adequately for meetings - reading papers and clarifying points in advance.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for and commitment to the work of the Board.
• Respects confidences.
• Responds to issues requiring action between meetings.

General

• Uses any specific knowledge or experience to assist the Board in reaching sound decisions.
• Participates in other tasks that may arise from time to time as designated.
• Keeps updated about the activities of the organisation and the wider issues which affect its work.
• Should have experience in one or more of the sectors of interest to the Institution.

Trustee Person Specification

Each Trustee should be able to demonstrate as many as possible of the following skills:

• Understanding and commitment to the Institution and its objectives.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and
• liabilities of trusteeship.
• Integrity.
• The ability to make good, independent judgments.
• The ability to develop policy.
• High level strategic thinking and vision.
• Ability to assess performance.
• Ability to think creatively.
• Willingness to speak their mind.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to influence, empower and where necessary lead a team.

The Board of Trustees as an entity needs skills and experience in the following areas:

Essential:

• Strategic leadership of a global organization.
• Governance and non-executive directorship.
• Serving the public interest
• Strategic planning, and monitoring and evaluating performance in commercial and non-profit organisations.
• Policy development.
• Financial management.
• Risk management.
• Influencing stakeholders.
• Public relations/communication/marketing.
• Understanding of the international engineering and technology industry.

Desirable:

• Legal.
• Diversity.
• Awareness of young persons issues.