Amendment to AIM’s Articles

Publish date: 20 May, 2026

Two amendments to AIM’s articles form part of the papers going forward to the Annual General Meeting taking place on 10 June at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens.

Drafted with legal guidance, the first change relates to enabling the Board in exceptional circumstances to recommend to the membership that a Trustee be appointed for a fourth and final term of office, extending the possible length of service to twelve years.

The rationale for the change is to provide flexibility to manage unforeseen challenges, ensuring that the Board’s strategic leadership can continue uninterrupted in the face of events such as the recent pandemic, and to provide continuity on critical business where the trustee has a key role, such as governance changes, strategic projects, or restricted funds. The initial term an AIM Trustee serves remains three years, with check-ins by the Chair enabling the potential to re-appoint. We have been advised that this kind of clause is routinely included in charitable articles to enable the smooth running of the organisation.

With this clause, it is also proposed to reappoint Rhiannon Goddard to the Board at this AGM. Rhiannon joined the Board in 2018 and her current third term expires in spring 2027. Following her success in an open recruitment process at the end of 2024, Rhiannon was appointed as AIM’s first female chair on 1 January 2025. AIM’s Board has agreed to recommend extending Rhiannon’s term to enable her to serve a full three years as chair, providing continuity and institutional knowledge to AIM as we enter a crucial Arts Council funding application period at the end of 2026. We hope the membership will agree this exceptional fourth term to enable Rhiannon to remain with us at this important time.

In addition, the process for appointing Deputy Chair(s) is to be aligned with the formal process for appointing the Chair, with the person(s) elected by the Board from amongst the Board, rather than elected by the membership.

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