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RSS Governance Review


**RSS Council unanimously approved (in March 2026) the proposed changes to our governance recommended by the working group. These proposals are currently open for consultation, and members can read about the recommendations here and feedback before 7 May 2026 via email link. **

The RSS is undertaking a review of its governance. Below, we provide context for the decision to initiate the review, an outline of the processes we will undertake, and information about how we will keep members informed.

Why? 

The Charity Governance Code highlights that a charity is best placed to achieve its ambitions and aims if it has effective governance and the right leadership structures. Skilled and capable trustees will help a charity attract resources and put them to best use. Good governance enables and supports a charity’s compliance with relevant legislation and regulation. It also promotes attitudes and a culture where everything works towards fulfilling the charity’s vision. 

RSS governance is enshrined in our Royal Charter and Bylaws, and underpinned by our regulations, which have provided a sure footing for governance of the Society for almost 200 years. The Society last undertook a review of governance in 2019, which had a limited scope and resulted in some minor changes. The code also recommends that governance is regularly reviewed, and Council agreed in March 2025 that a review should be undertaken to ensure that our governance supports the delivery principle set out in our 2024 Strategy: Our governance structures and processes are fit for purpose, efficient and inclusive.  

Feedback from trustees, staff and members suggested that our current governance mechanisms are not working within this principle. Council agreed in March 2024 that a governance review should be undertaken within the current strategic period to address this. Particular issues that emerged from Council members included:  

  • A lack of clarity of roles between RSS staff, Executive and Council, and of understanding of delegated responsibilities.  
  • The size of Council and the unity of its decisions – suggesting it is too large to be effective, and others questioning whether the RSS has the right breadth of skills around the table.  
  • Issues with inclusivity in relation to Council membership and processes.  
  • Communication across areas and with the wider membership.  

As a membership organisation, the RSS benefits from the generous input of members to govern, guide, undertake and support our work. The governance review aims to ensure that this continues, safeguarding the future of the organisation, maintaining the highly collaborative and supportive culture, diminishing risk, and ensuring that the RSS operates efficiently and effectively.   

How? 

The governance review is being led by a dedicated working group of RSS fellows, who will oversee the process, design future solutions and ensure that the membership is updated and appropriately engaged throughout. 

Members

RSS President – John Aston (Chair) 
Tricia Dodd – Honorary Officer for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Clare Morris – Vice President for Professional Affairs, Council representative 
Steven Gilmour – Honorary Officer for Journals, Council representative 
David Hand – Past-president 

The Society is grateful for advice and support from Lori Frecker, Learned and Professional Societies Liaison Officer at the Foundation for Science and Technology, who has agreed to share her knowledge on governance at learned societies to aid the review and make introductions to other organisations to share experience. 

Membership involvement  
Members will be kept updated on the progress of the review as it develops. This includes: 

  • updates via email and member newsletters at key stages
  • updates and Q&A at the RSS AGMs
  • updates and Q&A in dedicated webinars at key stages of the review, such as the one on 23 September 2025

Work to date
 
March 2025  Initiation of review approved by Council. 

Members updated via dedicated email.
April 2025 Working group formed (including two Council representatives and one past President) and work on detailed scope. 
June 2025  Detailed scope approved by Council. 

Members updated via newsletter. 

Dedicated webpage for review established
July 2025  Working group met regularly to discuss and build principles and recommendations. 

Information gathered from external bodies to understand current governance arrangements, and the outcome and impact of recent reviews.
September 2025  Information shared with members about the review at the RSS AGM and during a dedicated webinar. 

Member comments taken into account by working group in subsequent discussions.  
November 2025  Principles and recommendations presented to Council for review and discussion. 
January 2026  Working group continued to meet and iterate principles and recommendations based on Council feedback. 
February 2026  Members updated. 
March 2026  Final principles and recommendations presented to Council for approval. 

 

Next Steps

Between 7 April and 7 May, we are consulting with all RSS members on the proposed changes that have resulted from the actions and engagements above, and will be considering all feedback. The consultation is now open, and you can find out more on the consultation web page [Link below page]. 

Some of the changes proposed would require  updates to the RSS Charter (which sets out our charitable objects and the powers that the RSS can exercise to further these objectives) and more significant changes to be made to the RSS Bylaws (which define how the Society operates). These changes would need to be reviewed and approved in detail by RSS Council and Privy Council advisors and then presented to the membership and passed by a vote at a general meeting. The final step is presentation to Privy Council for approval. Transition arrangements will be developed if the changes are approved. 

RSS Regulations (the subsidiary rules created and amended by Council for the conduct of the business of the Society) and our Scheme of Delegation (which sets out the respective responsibilities of Council, Committees and Senior management) can be amended by Council at any time, without the approval of wider fellows or involvement of the Privy Council.  

While any change to the Charter and Bylaws may take time to achieve, it will be possible to begin to make other changes if these are consistent with the current Bylaws. This includes an updated scheme of delegation, terms of reference, role descriptions, and to design and implement changes to some of our Regulations.