Council, the Society's board of trustees, met on 20th November for the third and final Council meeting of the 2024 session.
Andy welcomed newly elected Council members and Honorary Officers who joined as observers. He then updated trustees on his activities since June which included work on the Covid-19 Inquiry and stats in the law. Andy also reflected on the success of the RSS conference in Brighton, our communications with the new government and wider political system following the election, attendance at JSM and the Maths Week Parliamentary Expo and engagement with the Academy for Mathematical Sciences and FENStatS.
Andy invited CEO Sarah Cumbers to deliver her update to Council. Sarah began by sharing highlights from her first year in post, thanking RSS staff for their support during what has been a time of significant change. She noted particular gratitude to Commercial Director Stuart McKendrick and Office Manager Mawreen Chapman for their work towards the relocation of the RSS headquarters. Sarah highlighted the investment in the Society’s relationship with the statistical system, which has resulted in a partnership to deliver the first UK Statistical Assembly, the establishment of the AI Task Force, the build of momentum in EDI work, and staff focus on building a sustainable office and business transformation.
Council agreed our strategic priorities for 2025 and approved the budget, agreeing to a focus on building a stronger understanding of statistics in key professions such as the law, journalism and government, and exploring the establishment of a training and accreditation programme for legal statistical expert witnesses.
. Paul Gentry, Head of Conferences and Events, delivered a review of this year’s conference, which achieved record numbers of attendees and submissions, with the largest recorded number of delegates coming from across the globe. Plans for future work to build sponsorship were shared, and outgoing Honorary Officer for Conference and Events Scott Heald expressed his thanks to all involved in the success seen in Brighton.
David Hamilton, Head of Partnerships, was introduced to the Council for the first time as he sought approval for new policies around donations and fundraising that set a framework for our future plans.
Council discussed RSS Journals following the review Led by Steve Gilmour, honorary officer for publications
An update on the status of the office relocation was discussed and council approved a property strategy to guide the purchase of a new office. Council also approved a proposal to move the Society’s historical archive to the Modern Records Centre at Warwick University. Here, archives will receive proper conservation and will be properly catalogued for research, increasing their accessibility, with the Society maintaining ownership and overall control.
Council noted the success of the 2024 Council Election and received an overview of plans for the 2025 election, and they discussed upcoming vacancies. With President-elect John Aston beginning his term in January 2025, the Council discussed the regulations and criteria for the 2025 Presidential Election, with volunteers from amongst the trustees sought to complete the Presidential Nominating Committee. Election regulations were also discussed with a focus on ensuring a diverse pool of candidates.
John Aston expressed his excitement to start his new role as President, inviting those present at the meeting to join him in thanking Andy for his many contributions to the Society, both as President and over the years preceding this. Council members also expressed their gratitude for Andy’s fantastic work and dedication.
The Council will meet again on 19th March 2025, their first meeting of the new year.