Would you consider standing for election to the SMP Board?

In keeping with best practice, gaps in the composition of the Board are identified through annual review of current composition prior to the AGM.

Three key questions are considered:

1. Does the Board have the necessary technical skills, experience and expertise to undertake its duties

Critical skill shortages identified this year include:

• HR: Someone with direct professional experience of HR matters (not just experience having managed a team)
• Funding: Someone with experience, contacts and time to help the SMP diversify its income, working within the very limited staff capacity
• The Malawian Diaspora
• In addition, applicants with knowledge, insight or experience in Government/Parliament, Private Sector, the law as it applies to charities, and Membership Organisations would be welcome.

2. Is the Board broadly representative of the membership it represents?

• We endeavour to encourage a gender balanced outcome from the 2024 trustee elections

3. Is the Board sufficiently diverse?

To adequately represent the wider membership, the Board is keen to encourage applications from:

• o Young people
  o Schools and Higher Education Institutions
  o Local Authorities

Of course, most individuals have a range of skills, many of which could be useful to the SMP and which go way beyond what is listed here. It is however important to remember that being a Trustee carries responsibilities and often, talents and skills can be used to support SMP in other ways than on the Board.

The Constitution of the Scotland Malawi Partnership (SCIO) allows for a Board of up to 16 Trustees but can have as few as 6. A term of office for a Trustee is three years, after which they must stand down but are welcome to stand for re-election should they wish, on an equal basis with those standing for the first time.

Trustees can serve for a maximum of three consecutive terms of office, each of up to three years. After this, Trustees will be eligible for re-election again after a gap of at least one year.

Full bios of Trustees through 2025, is available HERE:

1. Jeremy Bagg - Chair
2. Susan Dalgety – Senior Vice Chair
3. Yonah Matemba – Co-Vice Chair
4. John Wyllie – Co-Vice Chair
5. Sharon Brown
6. Bosco Chinkonda
7. Edward Duncan
8. John Fanning
9. Blessings Kachale
10. Barry Klaassen
11. Tracy Morse
12. Rachel Philips*
13. Sally Rae*
14. Kevin Simpson
15. Judith Turbyne*

*Trustees standing down at the AGM but are entitled to stand for re-election.


The following Trustees are willing to stand for re-election
Rachel Philips
Sally Rae
Judith Turbyne

The SMP is committed to diversity and inclusivity, and hence we are keen to maintain a good gender, age and diversity balance on the Board.

At present the Board currently has:

• 8 males and 7 females
• 13 Scots and 2 Malawians
• Ages range from 40s to 70s

If you would like to nominate yourself, you should:

1. Read all of this webpage
2. Read this Information Pack for Prospective Trustees
3. Secure a proposer and a seconder from the membership (if you are struggling with this, please contact membership@scotland-malawipartnership.org for support
4. Be committed to joining 2-hour Board meetings every 2-3 months
5. Complete this nomination form and email to membership@scotland-malawipartnership.org with a photo of yourself by 5pm, 12 October 2025.

• 17:00, Sunday 12 October 2025: Deadline for nominations to be received by the SMP (we will acknowledge receipt).
• Monday, 20 October 2025: Details of the applicants and voting procedures (as required) will be shared with members.
• Saturday, 25 October 2025: Results from the online voting will be announced during the AGM.