Winter 11 Featuring: The Buckingham Palace Awards Ceremony ...

At HRH Prince Philip’s final event with
the ESU, he spoke seriously to me about the
organisation he clearly loves and has served for
nearly 60 years. He stressed that the ESU
is about friendship, both personal and between
nations, and advised me to keep
that focus clear.
I am delighted that the election to the ESU board of 20
Governors and three officers will be open and transparent
and am grateful to the Secretary ESU, Professor Steve
Hodkinson, for his hard work to ensure this and to Sir
Robert Worcester for his oversight of procedures. The
current system of elections of all Governors will produce
many talents and gifts but may not produce every skill, or
the right balance of skills, necessary to take forward the
ESU at this time and to ensure sustainability for the future.
For example, there was no nomination for a second
Honorary Treasurer and in accordance with the Royal
Charter, the board has to accept that critical vacancy and
may not ‘headhunt’ an expert to fill that office. The review
of the Royal Charter and Bye Laws is therefore necessary
for this reason and for many other practical reasons.
Members will be consulted.
The current Royal Charter offers opportunities which we
have not used in recent years. One such opportunity is for
Governors to appoint up to four Vice Presidents who, the
Bye Laws tell us, ‘shall be appointed annually by the Board
of Governors and shall be eligible for re-appointment.’
There are no financial implications whatsoever to these
appointments.
As a late addendum to this letter, I am pleased to let you
know that the Board of Governors approved the
appointment of Lord Watson and Sir John Bond as Vice
Presidents both of whom have given years of service to the
ESU. At the same board meeting, Governors approved the
criteria for appointing ESU Counsellors and these criteria
may be read on the ESU’s website.
Members should be reassured that the ESU is in good
heart, with renewed confidence. The Board and the
executive are focussed and moving forward securely and
steadily. Dartmouth House is increasingly busy and is
beginning to buzz. Some redecoration has been completed
and the appearance is more welcoming and cheerful.
Difficult decisions are being taken for the sustainability of
the organisation. Once again my warmest thanks are due to
members for their support, understanding and cooperation.
May I wish you and yours a happy Christmas and a
peaceful New Year.
Dame Mary Richardson
DIALOGUE 5