Governance structure

The governing bodies of the Priory are the Council of trustees and the Priory Chapter.

Council of Trustees/Board of St John Ambulance

The trustees are the members of the Council and are legally responsible for the governance and management of the Priory. The trustees are also the directors of St John Ambulance. The trustees of the Priory were incorporated as a body on 10 November 1999, known as The Incorporated Trustees of the Priory of England and the Islands of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, under Part VII of the Charities Act 1993. Execution of documents is delegated to any two trustees or to one trustee and the Priory Secretary. The incorporation is of the body of trustees and not the charity.

The Council consists of up to 21 trustees and is chaired by the Prior who is appointed by the Grand Prior of the Order on the recommendation of the Order’s Reserved Appointments Panel. The Chapter approves the appointment of 12 trustees (three of whom are independent trustees) on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee. Five trustees are appointed by counties and represent regions within the Priory. Three other trustees may be co-opted by the Council. Each member is appointed for an initial period of three years, with provision for serving a further three year period.

A formal trustee induction procedure is in place. A full induction pack is provided to all new trustees containing key information and documents regarding the role of the trustees in the charity. In addition, each new trustee is invited to attend an induction day at the charity’s National Headquarters. Trustees are encouraged to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of county operations through contact with local St John county headquarters. Trustees can also access relevant external training courses relating either to their responsibilities as trustees or to the charity sector in general.