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The Spring Partnership

Members Information

Powers and Duties of Members of The Spring Partnership Trust

The Members of The Spring Partnership Trust (TSPT) are the equivalent of the shareholders in a commercial company (save that they do not receive dividends). In simple terms the Members look after TSPT on behalf of its beneficiaries and stakeholders, principally the pupils. They have a number of statutory rights as set out in the Trust's Articles of Association including:- 

Members' Statutory Rights

  • The Members have the power to remove a Director before the expiration of his or her term of office.  
  • The Members have the power to amend the Articles subject to any consents required by third parties.
  • The Members have the right to receive the annual accounts. 
  • The Members have the right to appoint or re-appoint an auditor. 

Who are the Members?

We aim to have five Members and these vary from time to time.  Up to date details can be found below.

What do Members do?

Members make sure that Trustees (Directors) are running the Trust effectively.  Members are ‘eyes on but hands off’, in that they allow the Trustees to operate the Trust and only intervene in exceptional circumstances.

Typically, our Members meet twice a year, one meeting of which is the Annual General Meeting (AGM).  During these meetings, Members review various information about the Trust to ensure the Trust is being run in an effective, safe and sustainable manner.  Information looked at could include academic attainment and progress, financial performance and the pay of the CEO.

When would Members intervene?

Members would intervene if they felt that the Trust was not being run effectively.  For example, Members might have concerns about the strategy, performance, governance, remuneration or approach to risks that the Trustees had.  Interventions could include confidential and private meetings with the Chair, minuted comments at meetings, a formal resolution directing Trustees to act in a particular manner or, ultimately the removal of one or more Trustees from office.

Members can be contacted at independentmember@springpartnership.co.uk

How are Members held to account?

Members publish the minutes of their meetings in order that stakeholders can monitor the performance of Members.  Ultimately it is the Secretary of State for Education to whom the Members answer.

A detailed publication from the National Governance Association about Members can be downloaded by following this link

https://www.nga.org.uk/Guidance/School-structures-and-constitution/Academies-and-free-schools/NGA-Guidance-the-role-of-members.aspx.

Members Register of Pecuniary Interests - updated September 2023
 

John Cliff

Date of Member Appointment 18 September 2019  
Date Appt Ceased (If Relevant)  

Attendance Record 2/2

  
Business or Pecuniary Interest None declared  
Date Interest Acquired (Ceased) n/a  
Relevant Business Interests of Close Family Members None declared  
Gifts or Hospitality Received (2022/23) None  

Jacqui Nelson

Date of Member Appointment 2 Jun 2011
Date Appt Ceased (If Relevant)

Attendance Record 1/2
Business or Pecuniary Interest Director, Nelson Croom Ltd
Date Interest Acquired (Ceased) Apr 2011
Relevant Business Interests of Close Family Members Declared1
Gifts or Hospitality Received (2022/23) None 

Sandeep Bhalla

Date of Member Appointment 7 Jan 2019
Date Appt Ceased (If Relevant)
Attendance Record 1/1
Business or Pecuniary Interest General Manager, The Connaught
Date Interest Acquired (Ceased) July 2019
Relevant Business Interests of Close Family Members None declared
Gifts or Hospitality Received (2022/23) None 

Iain Stealey

Date of Member Appointment 7 Jan 2019
Date Appt Ceased (If Relevant)
Attendance Record 0/1
Business or Pecuniary Interest None
Date Interest Acquired (Ceased) n/a
Relevant Business Interests of Close Family Members None declared
Gifts or Hospitality Received (2022-23) None 

Ruth Punter

Date of Member Appointment 23 Jan 2023
Date Appt Ceased (If Relevant)
Attendance Record 2022/23 2/2
Business or Pecuniary Interest None
Date Interest Acquired (Ceased) n/a
Relevant Business Interests of Close Family Members None declared
Gifts or Hospitality Received (2022-23) None 

Former Members 

Simon Narracott

Date of Member Appointment 2 Jun 2011
Date Appt Ceased 23 Jan 2023
Business or Pecuniary Interest Trustee, 22nd Bromley (3rd Hayes) Scout Group; The Mounthurst Scouts and Guides Trust
Date Interest Acquired (Ceased) April 2008, December 2016
Relevant Business Interests of Close Family Members None declared
Gifts or Hospitality Received (2022/23) None