News > Trust commits to taking forward change agenda
Trust commits to taking forward change agenda
09/08/2010
The National Trust for Scotland will drive forward an ambitious programme of change in response to The Rt Hon George Reid’s independent strategic review of the charity’s resources and governance.
The National Trust for Scotland will drive forward an ambitious programme of change in response to The Rt Hon George Reid’s independent strategic review of the charity’s resources and governance.
Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:
“George Reid and his review team have correctly identified that the Trust has been heavily over-governed for far too long and that its management has been held back through the existence of such a top-heavy structure.
“For our part we firmly believe the reforms to the governance of the charity can be introduced within the timescale set. We also believe change is essential to take the National Trust for Scotland forward and meet the important conservation challenges ahead.”
The Trust’s Council endorsed the review and the report of its findings at a meeting in Glasgow on Friday, 6 August. The review was commissioned by the Council in October 2009.
The review found that no other charity had such inflated forms of governance and that Trust staff were spending too long servicing internal structures.
Kate Mavor said:
“It is true staff time does become tied up in supporting the more than 200 people in our governance structure.”
The Chief Executive praised the conduct of the review, saying: “I welcome the transparent and even-handed in which the review was conducted. George Reid and his team engaged with so many people to produce a fresh external perspective which will act as a catalyst for governance reform and will inform our strategy in the years ahead.”
The charity also noted that Mr Reid said ‘he was sure Trust members will give full backing to a reform agenda led by (chairman nominee) Sir Kenneth Calman and Chief Executive Kate Mavor.'
The conservation charity also committed to addressing the other major issues highlighted by the review, including drawing up a new mission statement to reaffirm its core conservation purpose, beginning a property maintenance audit and a review of its Property Portfolio. A new strategic plan will also be developed.
Kate Mavor said:
“Work is already underway on a strategic plan. The review gives us a clear indication that we must put conservation at the centre of everything we do. A new mission statement will remind everyone that the Trust is here to play a crucial part in caring for Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage. Our new plan must have that concept as its lynchpin, supported by sound financial planning, investment in our people, property management and better engagement with the people of Scotland.
“George Reid’s report has been a catalyst in establishing a consensus for change and the direction we must go in. This, together the work we have underway and increased visits and Trust membership over the last year, positions us well to deliver sustained and re-invigorated guardianship of Scotland’s heritage.”
Commenting on the report’s assertion that the Trust may need to move forward with a smaller core portfolio in future, Kate Mavor said:
“We fully recognise that the Trust cannot conserve the nation’s heritage entirely on its own. We therefore fully support the Review’s proposal of partnerships with other bodies. Clearly this area needs careful management and conservation will continue to be a key consideration as we move forward on this.”
Annual accounts published by the charity in June demonstrated that the Trust is now in a more stable financial position. Kate Mavor said:
“We are all too aware of the fact that the costs of conserving our assets and our resources are unbalanced. The important message to our 310,000 members and the Scottish public is that the Trust continues to fulfil its vital role in the conservation and enjoyment of Scotland’s heritage.
“Our valued education programmes and popular events for the public as well as day-to-day access all carries on. The stabilised financial position we have recently achieved has bought time but there are still serious financial challenges ahead, which the review and its recommendation will help us to tackle.”
Trust members will have the opportunity to discuss and debate the review and its recommendations at its Annual General Meeting which take place on Saturday 25 September, at the Clyde Auditorium at the SECC in Glasgow.
This will be the beginning of a process of engagement with Members, staff, volunteers and partners in shaping the new governance arrangements for the Trust and in taking forward a fresh, focused and comprehensive strategic plan.
Chief Executive Kate Mavor urged members to attend and have their say on shaping the future of Scotland’s leading heritage organisation:
“George Reid’s review has provided the Trust with a set of challenges that amount to a unique opportunity to evolve to meet modern expectations and to demonstrate our significance to the people of Scotland. We must not let this opportunity slip through our grasp.”
Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:
“George Reid and his review team have correctly identified that the Trust has been heavily over-governed for far too long and that its management has been held back through the existence of such a top-heavy structure.
“For our part we firmly believe the reforms to the governance of the charity can be introduced within the timescale set. We also believe change is essential to take the National Trust for Scotland forward and meet the important conservation challenges ahead.”
The Trust’s Council endorsed the review and the report of its findings at a meeting in Glasgow on Friday, 6 August. The review was commissioned by the Council in October 2009.
The review found that no other charity had such inflated forms of governance and that Trust staff were spending too long servicing internal structures.
Kate Mavor said:
“It is true staff time does become tied up in supporting the more than 200 people in our governance structure.”
The Chief Executive praised the conduct of the review, saying: “I welcome the transparent and even-handed in which the review was conducted. George Reid and his team engaged with so many people to produce a fresh external perspective which will act as a catalyst for governance reform and will inform our strategy in the years ahead.”
The charity also noted that Mr Reid said ‘he was sure Trust members will give full backing to a reform agenda led by (chairman nominee) Sir Kenneth Calman and Chief Executive Kate Mavor.'
The conservation charity also committed to addressing the other major issues highlighted by the review, including drawing up a new mission statement to reaffirm its core conservation purpose, beginning a property maintenance audit and a review of its Property Portfolio. A new strategic plan will also be developed.
Kate Mavor said:
“Work is already underway on a strategic plan. The review gives us a clear indication that we must put conservation at the centre of everything we do. A new mission statement will remind everyone that the Trust is here to play a crucial part in caring for Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage. Our new plan must have that concept as its lynchpin, supported by sound financial planning, investment in our people, property management and better engagement with the people of Scotland.
“George Reid’s report has been a catalyst in establishing a consensus for change and the direction we must go in. This, together the work we have underway and increased visits and Trust membership over the last year, positions us well to deliver sustained and re-invigorated guardianship of Scotland’s heritage.”
Commenting on the report’s assertion that the Trust may need to move forward with a smaller core portfolio in future, Kate Mavor said:
“We fully recognise that the Trust cannot conserve the nation’s heritage entirely on its own. We therefore fully support the Review’s proposal of partnerships with other bodies. Clearly this area needs careful management and conservation will continue to be a key consideration as we move forward on this.”
Annual accounts published by the charity in June demonstrated that the Trust is now in a more stable financial position. Kate Mavor said:
“We are all too aware of the fact that the costs of conserving our assets and our resources are unbalanced. The important message to our 310,000 members and the Scottish public is that the Trust continues to fulfil its vital role in the conservation and enjoyment of Scotland’s heritage.
“Our valued education programmes and popular events for the public as well as day-to-day access all carries on. The stabilised financial position we have recently achieved has bought time but there are still serious financial challenges ahead, which the review and its recommendation will help us to tackle.”
Trust members will have the opportunity to discuss and debate the review and its recommendations at its Annual General Meeting which take place on Saturday 25 September, at the Clyde Auditorium at the SECC in Glasgow.
This will be the beginning of a process of engagement with Members, staff, volunteers and partners in shaping the new governance arrangements for the Trust and in taking forward a fresh, focused and comprehensive strategic plan.
Chief Executive Kate Mavor urged members to attend and have their say on shaping the future of Scotland’s leading heritage organisation:
“George Reid’s review has provided the Trust with a set of challenges that amount to a unique opportunity to evolve to meet modern expectations and to demonstrate our significance to the people of Scotland. We must not let this opportunity slip through our grasp.”
