Call for nominations: election of Vice-President

CILIP is pleased to announce the call for nominations for candidates wishing to stand for election as Vice President from January 2026.

We are particularly keen to attract global majority candidates or other people from under-represented communities in our profession.

About the role: Vice-President and President

CILIP has had a President since our establishment under Royal Charter in 1898. Past Presidents have included the Duke of Edinburgh, the Archbishop of Canterbury, captains of industry, inventors, Members of Parliament, and leading library and information professionals. More recently, CILIP Presidents have been CILIP members with the ability to pro-actively champion CILIP and the sector, acting as key spokespeople during their office.

The Vice-President is elected by the membership for a single year, at the end of which they automatically become CILIP President for a year. The responsibilities of the role include deputising for the President at key external and sector events. The President acts as a spokesperson for CILIP and is asked to select one of CILIP's strategic priorities as the 'theme' for their year. They are also expected to communicate regularly with the Vice-President and help them prepare for their own Presidential year.

Who can stand for election?

Candidates for election as Vice-President should review the relevant role description and guidance note, then complete the relevant nomination form. This can be downloaded from the resources below

To arrange an informal chat about the post with Kate Robinson, Chair of the Board, please email Denise Hawkes at Denise.Hawkes@cilip.org.uk.

Eligibility

Candidates wishing to stand for election as Vice-President must generally be at least 18-years-old and an ordinary member of CILIP on submission of their nomination or be willing to join within one month of submission.

As part of our ambition to open up and diversify CILIP's governance, global majority candidates or people from other under-represented communities may be eligible for free membership for the duration of the two years in the Presidential Team. Please email denise.hawkes@cilip.org.uk for details.

Voting

If an election is contested, a ballot will be held. All members eligible to vote and with an email address registered with CILIP, will receive an email with full information on how to vote online. Please ensure that CILIP has your up-to-date email address. If you have any queries, please contact membership via email at: membership@cilip.org.uk.

How much time does it take?

There are numerous speaking opportunities for the President during their term of office, with flagship moments including Annual Conference and the AGM.

The Presidential Team are also invited to join the CILIP Board as non-voting observers. The Board meets four to five times a year. We expect most Board meetings to be held virtually with one or two face-to-face meetings throughout the year. You would need to spend about 10 days a year to prepare for and attend the Board.

Will I be paid?

CILIP's Presidential Team are volunteers and these positions are unpaid but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

How long would I serve for?

If elected as Vice-President, you would serve as Vice-President in 2026 and as President in 2027.

How can I find out more?

Details of how to stand and role descriptions can be found at cilip.org.uk/page/boardelections25.

Election timetable

• 4 June 2025: Nominations open
• 29 August 2025: Last day for receipt of nominations
• If an election is contested:
• 7 October 2025: Despatch of online voting information
• 14 October 2025 (2:30pm): Closing date for receipt of online voting
• 24 November 2025: Results announced

Call for nominations for the election of one Trustee

CILIP is pleased to announce the call-for-nominations for candidates wishing to stand for election as a Trustee of the CILIP Board from January 2026. Candidates are invited to self-nominate using the forms available here.

Applicants should also email Denise Hawkes at denise.hawkes@cilip.org.uk with a CV and personal statement detailing their interest in the role.

As part of the commitments set out in our Changing Lives Position Statement, we are particularly keen to attract global majority candidates or other people from under-represented communities in our profession.

About the role: Trustee

Trustees are members of CILIP's Board, which is responsible for the overall governance, strategic direction and leadership of the Charity. Trustees are expected to attend five meetings a year and may also choose to join CILIP's Board sub-committees and other opportunities as they become available. They are expected to proactively contribute to the success of the charity as well as hold the Executive Team to account.

How to stand

Candidates should review the relevant role description and guidance note, then complete the relevant nomination form. This must be completed and emailed to Denise Hawkes (denise.hawkes@cilip.org.uk) no later than 5pm on 29 August 2025.

Eligibility

Candidates must generally be an ordinary member of CILIP on submission of their nomination or be willing to join within one month of election. Up to three members of the Trustee Board do not have to be CILIP members, which currently applies to two Board members.

As part of our ambition to open up and diversify CILIP's governance, global majority candidates or people from other under-represented communities may be eligible for free membership for the duration of their first term of office as a Trustee. Please email membership@cilip.org.uk for details.

Trustee applicants must not be disqualified from holding office as a Trustee or Director e.g. by the Charity Commission or Companies House.

Voting

If the election is contested an online ballot will be held. All members eligible to vote and with an email address registered with CILIP will receive an email with full information on how to vote online. Please ensure that CILIP has your up-to-date email address. We will publicise the election in Information Professional magazine, on our website and social media channels so if you have not seen the election email and expect to, please check your junk folder, then contact the Membership team.

Election timetable

• 7 July 2025: Nominations open
• 29 August 2025: Last day for receipt of nominations
• If an election is contested:
• 7 October 2025: Despatch of online voting information
• 14 October 2025 (2:30pm): Closing date for receipt of online voting
• 24 November 2025: Results announced

FAQ

• Vision, enthusiasm, excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A commitment to CILIP, fully supporting our charitable objectives, ethics and values
• Experience of working with senior colleagues or at Board level

CILIP's Trustees are volunteers and these positions are unpaid but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed, in line with CILIP's expenses policy.

Trustees can serve up to two consecutive four-year terms of office.

Details of how to stand and role descriptions can be found at cilip.org.uk/page/boardelections25.