Constitution and election
Independent Chair
Appointed in accordance with the appointment criteria.

Institution representatives

			One Vice-Chancellor nominated by Universities UK, normally the Chair of Universities UK's International Strategy Group and from a Partnership institution
			One elected higher education representative from the Operating Board
			One elected non-higher education representative from the Operating Board

British Council representatives
Two nominees from the British Council, one to be the Deputy Director General (or nominee).

Observer
Nominated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Secretary
Director Education UK Partnership.

Procedures and timelines for elections

			Elections for the sector representatives will carried out by the sector representatives of partner institutions on the Operating Board
			The timetable for each annual election will be agreed at the first Board meeting of the year

Timeline guideline:

			September: Request for nominations from the sector representative to be sent to Director Education UK Partnership
			October: Voting
			November: Votes counted. Results published

Elected representatives on the Board are expected to serve for two years. An election will take place for half the elected seats on the Board each year. This is to maintain continuity of representation. Nominated representatives are expected to serve until such time as they either move on or a replacement is nominated. Appointed Board members are expected to ensure continuity in the operations of the Board and should not normally change within six months of an election having taken place.

Procedures for Board meetings

			The Executive Board should meet a minimum of twice a year
			Dates for the year will be agreed among the members at the last meeting of the calendar year and reviewed where a need for change arises
			The agendas and papers for meetings should reach Board(s) members at least one week before each meeting. There should normally be no more than three additional papers tabled at any meeting
			Minutes of meetings will provide a concise record of the Board's transactions, noting the views of members where appropriate, but concentrating on decisions, recommendations and action points. The minutes will be taken by one or more British Council staff members who will attend each meeting. The Chair should clear drafts of minutes before they are printed and circulated to all Board members and Partnership institutions

Quorum
A quorum shall consist of three board members. The Chair (or the Deputy appointed for the meeting) has the right to decide that a meeting shall proceed if less than three members are present, but any decision of the meeting when inquorate must be subjects either to:

			Ratification in writing by at least half of the members who were absent, or confirmation by the next quorate meeting
			Board members (elected and nominated) are not allowed to select 'alternates' to attend meetings. Elected and nominated Board members may send an observer only. Where the Chair is unable to attend a Board meeting, they may select an alternate Chair for that meeting. This will normally be the Deputy Chair.

Decision making

			Decisions by the Executive Board will normally be reached by consensus
			Where consensus is not reached, the Chair may put a decision to the vote. This will be by show of hands. The Chair may vote and, when necessary, give the casting vote. However, if any member requests it, the vote will be taken by secret ballot.
			If the Chair considers it to be appropriate, they can insist on a secret ballot, retaining the casting vote to themselves.