A Message from RUAS Chief Executive Officer, Theresa Morrissey:
Dear Member,
Over the past year, the Society has been diligently working to advance the priorities outlined in its Strategic Plan. I would like to provide an update on progress to date regarding the governance review, including what members can expect over the coming months.
At the December Council meeting, approval was given to progress the proposal from the Governance Steering Group to convert the Society into a charitable company limited by guarantee.
The proposal to convert the Society into a charitable company limited by guarantee marks a significant step forward for the RUAS. It will strengthen the Society’s resilience, improve transparency and accountability, and enable the Society to increase its effectiveness. It will also preserve our charitable status, along with our Royal prefix, identity, and brands.
The Governance Steering Group remains confident that, following the proposed conversion to a charitable company, the Society will be stronger and better able to lead with purpose in an increasingly interconnected and fast-moving world.
We look forward to discussing this proposal with members and are committed to providing comprehensive information on how it will work in practice and what it means for the Society and you as a member. However, it would be inappropriate to begin these discussions until we have completed the necessary regulatory steps. We need to ensure clarity before seeking members’ views and approval.
Completing the due diligence and securing the required approvals will take longer than initially anticipated. The work involved in the proposed transfer to a charitable company limited by guarantee is complex and requires engagement with and approval from the Charity Commission for NI. This reflects the scale and importance of the proposed changes.
We are developing plans to engage with our members, and there will be multiple opportunities for you to comment and ask questions before the Society’s membership votes on the required amendments to the existing governing document.
In the meantime, you can find full details on our progress so far on this strategic priority on the RUAS website.
Theresa Morrissey
Chief Executive Officer, Royal Ulster Agricultural Society
