BSAS is looking to appoint a Vice-President in 2025

The Organisation

The British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) is a charity that works to improve the understanding of all aspects of animal science and to ensure research and knowledge transfer has a practical and beneficial application.

We work with animal science and industry specialists to provide improvements in: the welfare and productivity of farmed animals to help produce quality, safe and environmentally sustainable food; animal health and welfare; and the care of equine, companion and zoo animals.

The BSAS Presidential team is made up of a team of four distinguished individuals who work in animal and related science. Each member appointed to the team will serve for four years, one year in each of the roles of Vice President, Senior Vice President, President and Past President. The current team is made up of:

•    David Kenny – President
•    Elizabeth Magowan – Past President
•    Helen Warren – Senior Vice President
•    Nicholas Jonsson – Vice President

We are looking for a Vice-President to join our Presidential Team for a four-year term. The successful candidate would also be a member of our Trustee Board.

If you are a high calibre professional with a background in or related to the animal science sector with specific experience in working with membership organisations, fundraising, society journals, legal or lobbying this is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the success of a charity that champions and supports advances in animal science.

You will have the chance to shape and influence the direction of the charity over the next four years and support us in the advancement of education and science which relates to the study of and practical application of all aspects of animal science.

Whether you are an experienced Trustee or are looking to take your first step to Board level, if you have the drive and expertise to help increase our reach and impact, we want to hear from you.

The Role

As a BSAS Vice-President and Trustee, you will support BSAS in transforming and growing our society, sharing knowledge, experience and application of animal science on a global platform. As Vice-President you will move to the role of Society President over a two-year period.

It’s expected that you will be required to attend a minimum of six board meetings annually, most of these will be held virtually. You will also be asked to join one of the BSAS committees to progress the objectives set out in the strategic plan. The Presidential team meets, virtually, bi-weekly for an hour.

Working in partnership with other Trustees, you will:

-    Ensure that we work to achieve our charitable purpose and objectives.
-    Support the governance of the organisation.
-    Make sure that resources are being managed responsibly.
-    Always act in the charity’s best interests.
-    Comply with statutory accounting and reporting requirements.

About You

We are looking for the following skill sets, not expecting everyone to have all of them just two or three!

-    Background in or related to animal science.
-    Knowledge of developing membership organisations.
-    Experience of charitable fund raising.
-    Accomplished lobbyer and or influencer.
-    Legal and Governance experience.

We would also like you to:

-    Be passionate, engaged and eager to support BSAS.
-    Be aligned with our ethos.

Please note, to be considered for this position, you must not have previously been disqualified under the Charities Act.

More information about the role of a Trustee is available in the Trustee Information Pack.

Please complete the BSAS VP application form or BSAS Trustee application form and include a short profile, outlining why you would like to become a BSAS VP or Trustee and what skills and experience you would bring to the charity together with a copy of your CV. All Trustees are required to be or to become a member of the Society.

The closing date for applications is the 1st March 2025.

So, if you are seeking your next step as a Vice President and Trustee and want to help BSAS shape the future of animal science, please send your CV and completed application form to BSAS CEO Maggie Mitchell.

We look forward to hearing from you.