Corporate information and governance
1. An overview of the BTCV Group's structure
|
|
|
|
|
|
BTCV
BTCV is the largest and parent entity within the Group, with income for the year ended 31 March 2011 of £23,797,000. BTCV undertakes all of the charitable activities within the group as detailed within the Annual Report and Financial Statements, with the exception of some London based activities which are carried out by TRUE (summarised below).
As at 31 March 2011, BTCV employed 430 Full Time Equivalent staff
Trust for Urban Ecology (TRUE)
TRUE is the smallest entity within the Group, with income for the year ended 31 March 2011 of £354,205. TRUE operates within London, and its principal activity is to advance the education of the public in, and to further knowledge of the ecology of urban areas and to develop, conserve, protect and restore the natural resources and animal and plant life of such areas. Primarily it achieves this through the management of ecology parks.
As at 31 March 2011, 7 BTCV staff worked on TRUE projects.
BTCV Enterprises Ltd
BTCV Enterprises Ltd is the trading subsidiary of the group. Earnings created by BTCV Enterprises are paid over to the Charity in the form of Gift Aid. BTCV Enterprises Ltd is mainly involved in training unemployed people and helping them find work. BTCV Enterprises Ltd also operates the BTCV Shop, and ETN (Environmental Trainers Network).
For the year ended 31 March 2011, BTCV Enterprises Ltd had income of £19,804,730 and employed 312 Full Time Equivalent Staff.
2. GOVERNANCE
BTCV
BTCV is governed by a Board of Trustees. There must be a minimum of three but no more than ten trustees, of which up to two can be co-opted (these are unelected Trustees, selected by the Board via the Nominations Committee). A Trustee can serve no more than six consecutive years. Trustees normally serve a term of thirty six months, but can then stand for election provided they satisfy the provisions of the Articles.
There are currently eight elected Trustees on the BTCV board. Trustees are also legal directors of BTCV (the company limited by guarantee).
Prospective Trustees go through a Nominations Committee before being put to the membership for voting at the AGM.
The board meets at least four times per year, in addition to the AGM.
The Chief Executive attends all Board Meetings, together with a Company Secretarial presence. Day to day management of BTCV (and all group entities) is delegated to the Chief Executive.
BTCV is a registered charity and is registered with the Charity Commission. As BTCV also carries on operations within Scotland, it is also registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). In addition, BTCV is a registered company, limited by guarantee.
TRUE (100% subsidiary of BTCV)
TRUE is governed by a Council of Members, appointed by, and consisting of Trustees of the Board of BTCV. Day-to-day operational responsibility is delegated to the Chief Executive of BTCV.
TRUE is a registered charity and is registered with the Charity Commission. In addition, TRUE is a registered company, limited by guarantee.
BTCV Enterprises Ltd (100% subsidiary of BTCV)
BTCV Enterprises Ltd has a board of directors, which is made up of Senior Management staff and is chaired by a BTCV Trustee. The board meet as and when required (usually twice per year), and day to day operational responsibility is delegated to the Chief Executive of BTCV.
BTCV Enterprises Ltd is a registered company, limited by shares.
3. MEMBERSHIP
BTCV has a membership base. TRUE has only one member, which is BTCV, BTCV Enterprises Ltd has a single shareholder, which is BTCV.
The following therefore addresses members of BTCV:
BTCV currently has 385 members (as at Nov 2011), each of whom is entitled to a single vote on resolutions. Future membership will only be open to non fee payers who have an interest in BTCV and are able to commit to helping BTCV raise its profile and/or develop opportunities on a local, regional or national level. Future members must go through the Nominations Committee to be considered for membership.
Trusteeship will be open to all regardless of whether they are an existing member or not, however the path to Trusteeship will be through the Nominations Committee, currently chaired by the Lord Norrie.
Download the current list of Nominations Committee members [56Kb pdf]
4. STRATEGIC PLANNING AND OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
BTCV has a strategic planning document which lays down the strategic vision, values and objectives of the charity over a five year period. The current Strategic Plan covers 2009-2013.
The Board empowers the Chief Executive, Mr Tom Flood CBE with the day to day management of the group, and in turn, there is a Senior Management Team and then a structure of operational regional directors and management teams which ensure that BTCV has the skills, expertise and resources to operate effectively at a local level.
