Elections 2024: President role description

BPS President overview

The President is initially elected as President-Elect by the members. To stand for election, a candidate for President-Elect must be a member of the Society. The successful candidate for President-Elect will serve two years in that role, followed by two years as President.

The President of the British Psychological Society acts as champion and ambassador for the society, the discipline of psychology and for the wider psychological profession.

The President also ensures that members' views and voice are heard throughout the Society's strategic discussions and works in partnership with the rest of the Board of Trustees and the Chief Executive.

As well as fulfilling their stated role, the President is a member of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees are collectively responsible for overseeing the running of the Society.

The Board is the final decision point for determining the Society's strategy and sets the policies by which the Society operates. The Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Society's charitable objects, protecting the Society's assets and reputation, and managing risk on behalf of the Society's membership, and is ultimately charged with ensuring the long-term health and good running of the Society.

Trustees provide independent insight and challenge to the Society's management and staff, with the intention of ensuring that the Society is well-led, well-run, and delivers maximum value for members and impact in line with the Society's Royal Charter.

Responsibilities of the role

The President is responsible for:

• acting as ambassador, establishing two-way communications with the membership, across the four nations and - in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, Chief Executive and the Senior Leadership Team – building relationships with key senior external stakeholders
• representing the Society at functions, meetings and in the wider media, in line with agreed media position statements
• representing the discipline and profession on ceremonial occasions, in particular related to Society awards
• attending member events to mix with members and gain insights and feedback (e.g. regional meetings, Senate, Annual Conference)
• agreeing with Trustees and the Chief Executive the President's key areas of focus, that are aligned to the organisational strategy
• working with the President-Elect to support their development prior to them assuming the position of President
• championing equality, diversity and inclusion across all the society's work and seeking to foster good relations among members and stakeholders
• working collaboratively with the rest of the Board of Trustees to ensure the effective governance and oversight of the Society.

Alongside these responsibilities, the President is also a Trustee of the Society and carries the same responsibilities as other Trustees:

• ensuring that the Society complies with its Royal Charter, Statutes and Rules, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• ensuring that the Society pursues its objects as defined in its governing documents, that it applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Society
• contributing actively to the Board of Trustees by giving firm strategic direction to the Society, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets
• challenging and questioning, in a constructive and respectful manner
• working closely with, and holding to account, the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team for delivery of the Society's strategy and operational plans, including budget
• acting in the best interests of the Society and safeguarding its reputation and values
• building and maintaining an interest in the Society's activities
• gaining the trust and respect of other Board members; listening sensitively to the views of others, inside and outside the Board
• building and maintaining positive working relationships with fellow Trustees, members of the Senate, Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team.

Person Specification

Notwithstanding the fact that members are entitled to elect (initially as President-Elect) any person qualified to stand, the following would be advantageous for anyone holding the role of President:

• distinguished reputation within the field and/or profession of psychology
• influential and innovative in psychology
• high level of understanding and interest in the issues that the Society seeks to address/represent as a professional body, learned society, and registered charity
• commitment to the values and principles of the Society
• strong business and financial acumen in either a commercial, academic, or civil society setting
• proven leadership skills
• highly developed interpersonal and communication skills
• strong organisational skills and ability to understand complex strategic issues, analyse and resolve difficult problems
• sound, independent judgement, common sense and diplomacy
• high standards of personal integrity and probity
• sound knowledge of good governance and clear understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of trustees
• commitment to promoting the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion

Trustees will come from a range of backgrounds – and for the Board to have maximum effectiveness it will aim for diverse composition. The common qualities that all Trustees would be expected to have, however, are:

• sound judgement along with the highest professional standards, reputation and integrity
• existing non-executive experience, with an understanding of strategy and corporate governance
• cultural/political sensitivity and regulatory understanding
• strong communication skills and the ability to work with others
• the ability to constructively question and challenge
• wider leadership skills and the ability to think strategically
• strong performance management and analytical skills

Trustees who are members of the Society do not need specific knowledge of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship prior to becoming a Trustee, but will be expected to complete the society's training and induction at the outset of their term.

Term

The President-Elect holds office until the second Annual General Meeting after the Annual General Meeting at which they were elected. They then take up office as President and serve as President until the second Annual General Meeting after taking up office as President. A retiring President may not be re-elected as President-Elect.

Time commitment

In accordance with the Society's Charter, the President may receive reasonable and proper remuneration to compensate them for money lost from employment or deducted from their earnings in respect of time spent on the business of the Society. 

Expenses are paid in accordance with the Society's policies.

The number of meetings and/or other commitments may be higher than indicated. Trustees are expected to read papers and prepare for meetings. Reading/ preparation time is not included in the time estimates below. Subject to these comments, an indication of the expected time commitment is as follows: