Governance Procedure

UK Catalysis Hub Phase III – Governance Review Notes and Recommendations

Purpose

To review and agree on the governance structure for Phase III of the UK Catalysis Hub, including processes for appointing the Director, Deputy Director, Management Group (MG), Steering Group (SG), Early Career Forum (ECF) members, and to outline succession planning and board operations. We are proposing that appointments to the MG, SG.

1. Boards  

• Management Group (MG) Composition and Appointment:
  • Need for clear procedures and terms for MG membership.
  • Emphasis on balanced representation, including Director, Deputy Director, Project Manager, and ECF Chair and expertise across disciplines in catalysis.
  • MG size: ~9 members to ensure broad community representation.
  • Term length: 4 years, renewable once (normally 4+4 with terms as director/ deputy not being limited by previous membership of the group). In special circumstances a longer term may be considered. Term lengths staggered so the end dates are not the same.
  • MG membership proposed by the Steering Group, following consultation with the nominations committee.
  • The project manager is part of the Management group as a standing member.
     
• Director and Deputy Director Appointments:
  • Deputy Director to be selected via Expression of Interest (EOI) process from within MG following consultation with the nominations committee.
  • Deputy Director normally becomes Director-elect; situations may arise where other candidates are considered (e.g., writing new grant, conflicting appointments: the deputy-director/ director term minimum of 3 to a maximum of 4 years each).
  • Appointments to be approved by Oversight Board.
     
• Steering Group (SG) and Early Career Forum (ECF):
  • Applications to the SG, and ECF membership should be open via application process.
  • It is expected that those early career researchers supported by the Hub (indirectly or directly) engage with and support the Early Career Forum.
  • ECF Chair to have representation on MG.
    • Recommendations of the ECF Chair and SG members by the Nominations committee, confirmed by the MG.  
  • SG proposes candidates for MG, applications to be reviewed with representation balance in mind and following recommendations for the nominations committee.
  • SG chaired by the Deputy Director.
  • ECF membership proposed by SG and confirmed by MG.
  • Online form and public announcement of vacancies proposed.
  • Steering Group Terms: 3+3 years. 3 years is the limit but people may move   - for the ECF a shorter term may be more appropriate inline with the early career stage.  
     
• Nominations Process:
  • Subcommittee of the Steering Group (SG) to act as a Nominations Committee. Chaired by deputy Director.  4-5 members (deputy director plus one other MG member, two SG members and 1 member from community).
  • Nominations Committee recommends candidates for Deputy Director and other key roles as needed, meetings will be called when required.
  • Final approval from Oversight Board.
     

2. Oversight and Boards

• Oversight Board (OB):
  • Ensures compliance and oversees MG decisions.
  • Includes University PVC-R (director(chair) and deputy director institution), and other appropriate members  
    • Director and deputy director is in attendance and reports to the oversight. Project manager to take notes.
    • Minutes of Oversight and report to be sent to EPSRC.
       
• Industrial Advisory Panel (IAP) & External Advisory Board (EAB):
  • Discussed in context of overall governance but specific details deferred.
  • Their roles remain advisory, with input into strategic direction but no formal appointments at this stage.
  • Membership made up of past members (phase II) and partners who wrote a letter of support. New strategic partners may be invited to join. Appointments are made by the MG.

3. Additional Points Raised

• Across all boards if people do not attend (75% of meetings) over 2 years they may be asked to step down.