AAT governance changes: Everything you need to know

AAT Council is proposing changes to our governance arrangements. This includes to our governing body and requires amendments to AAT’s Articles of Association. 

Why are they being proposed? 

AAT Council is of the view that now is the time to update our governance arrangements. 

It has been almost decade since AAT‘s last substantive governance review. In that time, much has changed.  

For example, AAT has agreed and launched our ambitious Securing Future Relevance strategy (2023-2030). As with any professional body, our future sustainability and continued positive impact is dependent upon our relevance and ability to deliver for current and future members.  

Additionally, an update to the Charity Governance Code in 2020 has raised the bar for what good governance looks like. 

What are the changes? 

To ensure AAT is fit for the future and aligned with the most recent Code, the Council believes that now is the time to update our governance arrangements. 

That is why they are proposing: 

• A new Board of up to 12 directors/trustees, with at least 20% AAT members (as a minimum, not a maximum) 
• The creation of a Members' Advisory Council (MAC): This new body will ensure oversight and membership voice.   
• A MAC-elected representative serving on the Board, linking governance and representation.  
• Member voice at all levels: Members will remain at the heart of everything we do, through the branch network committees, the MAC, and on the Board.   
• Skills-based Board: While maintaining member representation, we'll also ensure the new governing Board has the requisite diverse skillset to guide AAT effectively into the future.  

Why are there no elections this year? 

Council deemed it both necessary and appropriate to suspend annual elections for Trustee roles for the current AAT Council for a period of up to 12 months from October 2024.  

Should the proposals be approved by voting members as part of the AGM, a transition period will begin, with appointments made to the new Board and other relevant committees. 

Elections to the Members’ Advisory Council (or ‘MAC’) from amongst AAT’s membership will take place in 2025. Nominations for election to the MAC will open in late January, with voting taking place in March 2025.  Who can vote? 

All AAT full members (MAATs) and fellow members (FMAATs) are eligible to vote on these changes just as they can as part of all AAT general meetings.  

However, you’ll need to be in good standing. This means having a current membership that is paid up to date and to not be facing sanctions or disciplinary action.  

When is voting? 

If you are eligible to vote, from 25 September 2024 you should receive your voting credentials from Civica, AAT’s democratic services partner. This will have been sent to you via email or post, depending on what you’ve chosen as your communications preference with AAT. 

Voting closes at 11:00 (BST) on 23 October 2024. You will not be able to cast your vote in advance of the AGM after this point. However, you can still cast your vote by attending the AGM virtually or in-person on the day. (See ‘How can I attend the AGM’ below).  

How can I vote?  

AAT’s general meetings are hybrid and have proxy voting options. This means you have three options to vote as part of the AGM: 

1. Go to www.cesvotes.com/aat24 and using the credentials emailed or posted to you by Civica (AAT’s democratic services partner) cast a ‘proxy’ vote prior to the AGM  

or 

2. Register for the AGM for attending virtually at www.cesvotes.com/aat24  
3. Register for the AGM for attending in person at www.cesvotes.com/aat24 using the credentials supplied to you by Civica. Then simply make your way to the AAT office on 25 October 2024 where we’ll be happy to greet you. 

Note: if you register to attend the AGM in person, you’ll still need to use your credentials supplied by Civica using the www.cesvotes.com/aat24 secure digital platform. Remember to bring along a device with internet connectivity in order to do this on the day. 

What is the AGM? 

AAT’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is, along with special general meetings, AAT’s highest decision-making forum. It is where all eligible voting members can hold AAT’s leadership to account, including discussing and voting on whether to accept the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024. You can find the published Annual Report and Accounts here: https://www.aat.org.uk/about/what-we-do/annual-report-accounts  

This year’s AGM will include a special resolution to amend AAT’s Articles of Association, particularly the articles affecting governance arrangements. 

The AGM will also include announcement of election results for the role of Vice President.  

How do I attend the AGM? 

There are two ways you can attend the AGM: 

1. Register for the AGM to attend virtually at www.cesvotes.com/aat24 using the credentials supplied to you by Civica. 
2. Register for the AGM for attending in person at www.cesvotes.com/aat24 using the credentials supplied to you by Civica. Then simply make your way to the AAT office on 25 October 2024 where we’ll be happy to greet you.  

The AAT office can be found at: 

30 Churchill Place 

Canary Wharf 

London – E14 5RE 

Do I need to attend the AGM in person to vote? 

No, AAT’s general meetings are hybrid and have proxy voting options. See ‘How can I vote?’ on this page for more information about your options to vote. 

Where can I find the proposed changes in detail? 

You can find detailed information about the proposals inside the email or post communication sent to you alongside the voting credentials supplied to you by Civica, AAT’s democratic services partner. 

What does the AAT President think of the proposals?  

AAT President Kevin Bragg has been a member of AAT’s governing body, the AAT Council, for more than eight years. He is supportive of the proposed changes.  
You can hear more from him about why he is supporting the proposals here:   

• Kevin’s column introducing Council’s review and discussing its context is available online and in July’s issue of AT Magazine 
• Kevin’s update for members on Council’s proposals in early September 2024 

Recent AAT President and long-serving AAT Council member, Heather Hill, is also supporting the proposals. You can read Heather’s views on AAT Comment. 

Need more information? 

For more information on proxy voting or anything else related to the AGM, please email theagmteam@aat.org.uk.