Call for Nominations for SRF Chair-Elect 2026

Nomination Information

This is a call for nominations for the role of Chair-elect of the SRF Council to succeed the current Chair in January 2027. This is due to Dr Suman Rice reaching the end of their term as current Chair.  This vacancy has arisen to enable the Chair-elect to join the Council and shadow the current Chair for a minimum of six months before the current Chair completes their term.

Members of the Society with Council experience, including at officer level, are cordially invited to stand for election to the position of Chair‑elect, who will assume the role of Chair following the SRF AGM in January 2027 in Belfast (exact date TBC).

What does the role of an SRF Council Chair-Elect entail?

Successful candidates will be working alongside the following Council Members and shadowing the Chair in their oversight of all the committees and Council business. In addition, the SRF Council Chair also leads the Journal Committee.

Period of Office
On selection, the Chair-elect position will be held until the SRF AGM in January 2027 and as Chair for the 3 years until the AGM in January 2030.

In this position, you may not be a beneficiary of the Society and are ineligible to receive competitive grants, funding and other such benefits available to non-council members.

Attendance at meetings
The Chair-elect will be expected to attend all SRF Council and Officer Meetings, as well as Finance Committee, Journal Committee and regular meetings (once or twice a month) with the Society Secretariat (CCL).

Confirmed meetings to date are:

2026

Finance Committee – Tuesday 21 April 14.00 – 15.30 (virtual)

Council – Thursday 14 & Friday 15 May (in person, usually Manchester Airport)

Council – Thursday 12 & Friday 13 November (in person, usually Manchester Airport)

2027:   13-15 January (to coincide with Fertility 2027)

Spring and Autumn Council Meetings are held at a hotel, currently, this is at Manchester Airport – although this is reviewed annually.  The format is Thursday from midday to Friday until 5pm.  A working dinner is held on Thursday evening, overnight accommodation is provided, and travel expenses reimbursed.  The SRF AGM is scheduled to take place at the annual Fertility conference.

The Chair is also expected to serve on the following committees – usually held virtually

• Journal Publisher Meeting – date tbc once a year.
• Finance Committee meetings – three times a year prior to the Council meeting.
• SRF Journals Committee meeting – three times a year and as needed.
• Officer meetings – usually three times a year, held between the main Council meetings.
• Founding committee (along with Chairs from SRB and SSR) for the International Federation of Reproductive Scientists (IFRS) – currently meeting monthly.
• Joint Executive Committee for Fertility Conferences – virtual, meets three times a year (rotating chair).
• Associated Fertility Societies Meetings – meet twice a year (rotating chair).
• The Chair may also attend Joint Programme Committee meetings held monthly if needed, and will attend the Fertility. Abstract Vetting Meeting in September (date tbc).

Role as Charity Trustee

As a Member of Council, you are taking on the responsibility as a Charity Trustee whose responsibilities cover the following:

You and your co-trustees must ensure that the charity is carrying out the purposes for which it is set up, and no other purpose. This means you should:

• Ensure you understand the charity’s purposes as set out in its governing document.
• Plan what your charity will do, and what you want it to achieve.
• Be able to explain how all the charity’s activities are intended to further or support its purposes.
• Understand how the charity benefits the public by carrying out its purposes.

To assist with your understanding of the Society, please refer to the Articles of Association and Byelaws, which can be found under the Who We Are tab on the SRF Website www.srf-reproduction.org

Further details about the duties of a Charity Trustee can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-what-you-need-to-do#trustees-duties-at-a-glance

Eligibility

• Under the Society’s rules, any Member of SRF (fully paid up as of Friday 27 April 2026) may stand for election.
• Nominations must be supported by at least two fully paid Members of the Society. (For reference, a list of current Members can be found in the Members Area of the SRF Website.
• The SRF Council listed above will be responsible for making the final decision.

Procedure

Members wishing to stand for election must complete the application form on the SRF website to arrive no later than 09.00 hrs UK time on Monday, 27 April 2026. Applications to include

• Current or previous SRF roles, years held and experience.
• Short statement providing other relevant experience.
• Goals and aspirations for your time as Chair.
• The support of at least two Members, applicants are responsible for organising supporting statements on headed paper to be uploaded with their application on the SRF website.

 Timeline

09.00 Monday 27 April 2026: Deadline for Nominations:

NB – nominations must be received by 09.00am Monday 27 April 2026, then, as stated in the Articles of Association Article 49, the appointment will be by resolution of the Board of Trustees.  If no suitable candidate is confirmed, then the post will be re-advertised.

Wednesday 6 May 2026: The candidates will be shortlisted by a sub-group of the Council chaired by Dr Rice.  Suitable candidates will be invited to join the Council meeting in Manchester to be interviewed by the Council if required.  The appointment, with immediate effect, will be made by resolution of the board after a secret ballot.

Thursday 14/Friday 15 May 2026: SRF Council meetings in Manchester and Chair-elect interviews will be held during this meeting if requried.

AGM held at Fertility, January 2027: The role of SRF Chair is taken up at the SRF AGM.

If you have any questions, please email srf@conferencecollective.co.uk in the first instance.