Report of the Trustees 2004/2005: Page One
Introduction
The Members of the Council (‘The Trustees’) of The Prostate Cancer Charity (‘the Charity’), who are also directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, submit their Annual Report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2005.
The Charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up on 14th October 1991. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association which are being revised (see below).
The purpose of this Report is to provide information on the Charity’s activity and financial performance. It forms part of a range of public information designed to give an open account of the Charity’s work.
Objects
The Charity’s objects, set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association, are to invest in prostate cancer research, to provide information and support to people affected by prostate cancer, and to raise public awareness of prostate cancer and its symptoms. The Charity operates a balanced portfolio - providing ‘hope for the future (research) and help for today (support and information).’
The Memorandum and Articles of Association have been extensively reviewed by the Trustees during the course of the year to ensure that they are appropriate for the Charity as it continues to grow and develop. Revisions to the Memorandum and Articles will be approved by Members at the 2005 Annual General Meeting.
Organisation
Overall strategy and policy for the Charity are agreed by the Council of Management (known as the ‘Board of Trustees’), advised by the Chief Executive and the Senior Management Team. At the Annual General Meeting, one third of the members of the Council retire from office and new elections are held. Following a period of office, a member of the Council is eligible for re-election.
As part of the review of the Charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, a number of changes to governance leadership took place during the year. This included the appointment of Professor Paul Forster as Chairman, and Mr Leslie Moffat and Ms Su Sayer as Vice Chairmen. In mrecognition of the key role played by the previous Chairman, Professor Jonathan Waxman, in founding and developing the Charity, the Board unanimously decided that he should be appointed to the newly-created position of President.
There are currently three sub-committees of the Board – the Finance Committee, the Remuneration Committee mand the Nominations Committee (newly-formed during 2004/05). There are two further advisory committees of the Board; the User Advisory Group provides a focus for user involvement in the Charity’s activities and the Research Advisory Committee advises the Board on research strategy, policy and investment. The need for further sub-committees and advisory groups will be kept under review.
Trustees met on eight occasions during the year (either as a full Board or in the sub-committees) to review strategy, policy and performance and to set the operating plans and budgets.
The Charity’s Chief Executive leads the team of approximately 35 paid staff, based in offices in Hammersmith, London.
back: Introduction | next: Review of activities and future developments