Music Mark announces two new Trustee appointments at 2021 AGM
5th November 2021
Yesterday, the UK Association for Music Education – Music Mark’s held it’s AGM for 2021. In the meeting, the current Chair of the Board of Trustees, James Dickinson, guided the membership through the annual report and accounts for 2020/21, welcomed two new Trustees to the Board and presented an updated set of Articles of Association for consideration.
Music Mark is governed by its membership which is made up of over 450 organisations and individuals who each have a vote at the AGM. A significant number of these members joined the meeting which was held as a hybrid meeting, with the majority attending virtually.
The annual report and accounts for the previous year reported another successful year of activity and financial management and included details of the significant increase in support from Arts Council England which the Charity has received for work in the 2021/22 financial year and beyond.
Following a call for nominations from the membership, a voting process was run in September and October to identify two new Elected Trustees who would join the Board from the AGM. James thanked all five candidates who put themselves forward and reported that although it was close run election, Emma Calvert and Thom Meredith had been confirmed as the two members who would join the board from today. Details of these two new Trustees can be found on the Music Mark website along with information about the other current members of the Board.
In addition to these appointments the Chair explained that Dave Little who stepped up to act as the charities Treasurer in 2017 was standing down from that role (and would be standing down as a Trustee at the 2022 AGM). Peter Bolton has agreed to take on the role of Treasurer going forward. CEO of Music Mark, Bridget Whyte, welcomed these appointments and looked forward to working with the Board into the future.
A key element of the AGM this year was to present the membership with a revised set of Articles of Association. Whilst no changes have been made to the purpose of the charity, with help from Music Mark’s Advice Partner Bates Wells, the updated document ensures that it reflects the current work of the charity, it’s charitable working practices – particularly arising from the COVID pandemic – and reflects current company and charity law. The previous articles were prepared as Music Mark was formed in 2013 and Bates Wells confirmed that, in line with best practice, it was appropriate to spend time reviewing them, and in doing so it was clear there were a number of areas of this governing document which needed to be updated or reviewed.
The membership agreed to accept the new articles and they will now be filed with both Companies House and the Charity Commission along with the annual report and accounts, and details of the new Trustee appointments.
Finally, James reported that Music Mark’s Patron – Charles Hazelwood – was stepping down to focus on other commitments. He was thanked for his generous support of the charity over the past few years and for his kind words sent to the membership via a video message played at the meeting. James, on behalf of the Board and membership, wished him well for the future and said that an update on plans for the appointment of one or more new Patrons would be given in the New Year.
