Advisory Groups

To assist us in the quality and independence of our thinking, we rely on the expert advice of sector advisory groups and UK country advisory committees. Members of these groups and committees serve in an advisory capacity and have no decision-making responsibilities.

Sector advisory groups

The sector advisory groups operate within a wider advisory function that includes the country advisory committees. In December 2011, the Board of Trustees agreed that the British Council’s sector advisory groups should fit with its focus on key sectors and reflect the revised organisation structure.

The English Advisory Group will continue in its current form and we will finalize the set up of the Arts Advisory Group. Two new advisory groups will be created, one for Education and one for Society.

All four groups will be in place and operational during the first half of 2012.

Read the criteria for identifying members of sector advisory groups (pdf 15kb).

The functions of the sector advisory groups, as set out in their terms of reference, are to:

  • comment on opportunities, trends and issues of long-term strategic importance for the British Council
  • support the British Council in developing large scale global initiatives by acting as a sounding board and by stimulating new ideas
  • provide up to date information on major developments within the UK and help the British Council establish contact with relevant individuals and organisations
  • act as advocates of the British Council in the UK
  • participate as appropriate and required in supporting specific British Council projects/initiatives

UK countries advisory committees

The UK countries advisory committees operate within a wider advisory function that includes the sector advisory groups. There are currently UK country advisory committees in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Read the UK countries advisory committees terms of reference (pdf 37kb).

Find out more about the UK countries advisory committees members (pdf 30kb).

Each UK country advisory committee aims to:

  • further the purpose of the British Council (to build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide) in collaboration with the local British Council Director in the context of the Council’s work.
  • ensure that the British Council office in each UK Country is kept informed of major developments in the public, educational, economic and cultural life of each respective UK Country.
  • serve as channels of professional advice within the areas of expertise represented on the Committee, keeping the British Council informed of major developments, offering fresh insights and identifying new opportunities.
  • bring to the attention of the British Council Director in each UK Country opportunities for activity that might achieve the Council’s desired outcomes of meeting the need for more intercultural dialogue, creating opportunity via the knowledge economy, and tackling climate change.
  • provide input to each British Council UK Country Plan, and monitor the achievement of plan objectives.
  • provide access to communities within the UK Country for whom the British Council’s work has relevance.
  • act as an advocate for the British Council’s work in each UK Country and across the UK as a whole