Introduction to boards and committees
This page gives a brief summary of our top-level decision -making bodies. For details of the structure in which they operate, please see the NERC Organisational Diagram.
BIS Management Statement
NERC Council
This is our top-level decision making body. It decides all major issues, including strategy, key objectives and targets and major resource decisions. It is also accountable for NERC's budget and the extent to which key performance objectives and targets are met.
Council members:
- Chairman
- Chief Executive (and Deputy Chairman)
- Between 10 and 18 other members from academic and industrial communities, plus two members of government departments, all appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade & Industry.
The NERC Council pages give further details.
Science & Innovation Strategy Board
The Science & Innovation Strategy Board (SISB) supports Council. It advises on:
- developing NERC's integrated science strategy
- prioritising and funding new programmes and initiatives
The SISB pages give further details.
Audit Committee
The Committee is an advisory body with no executive powers. However, it is authorised to investigate any activity within its terms of reference and to seek any information it requires from NERC staff.
The Audit Committee pages give further details.
Remuneration Committee
Under the remit of Council's Remuneration Committee, the Senior Staff Salaries Review Committee (SSSRC) determines base pay movement and annual performance bonuses for NERC's staff at Band 1 and 2 levels. This category of staff includes all Directors and NEB level appointments.
The Committee is chaired by Chairman of Council and includes two Council members and the Chief Executive with the Director of People, Skills & Communication as an adviser. It normally meets twice a year in the margins of the June and September Council meetings.
NERC Executive Board
The Chief Executive chairs the NERC Executive Board. Membership comprises of NERC Directors responsible for key functions and Research and Collaborative Centres that employ substantial numbers of NERC staff. A Director of a Collaborative Centre, or Leader of large Directed Programme in which NERC makes a large investment is a member on a two-yearly rotating basis. Membership also includes two non-executive Directors appointed on a 3 year term. NEB executes Council's policies and decisions and manages NERC.
The NEB pages give further details.
NERC Investment Committee
The purpose of the NERC Investment Committee (NIC) is to provide a body through which NERC Council can delegate some of its investment decision making powers in order to provide more time for Council to consider strategic matters.
The NIC pages give further details.
Scheme of Delegation
An overview of which top-level Boards take decisions and provide advice on issues that affect NERC.
The Scheme of Delegation pages give further details.