The Trustees

Chris Janes (Chairman), Theo Berkout (acting Treasurer), Hannah Leonard (secretary), Andy Lee, Derek Palmer, Angela Reiss and Jonathon Wallis.

Theo Berkout stood down in 2024, but retain Trustee status in his Acting capacity for the intervening year. Derek Palmer and Andy Lee are due to retire by rotation, but are willing and able to stand again. Nominations are therefore sought for the Trustee Board.

The Trustees meet four times a year, usually virtually, to review the long-term direction of the Company and its statutory and social responsibilities. Nominations are particularly encouraged for members who are not involved in the day to day running of the Company, to provide an external perspective on the work of the Management Committee. There is more information on what it means to be a charity trustee here and in our constitution.

The Management Committee

• The Chairman (elected for two years), Chris Janes, has completed his first term in office and elections must therefore be held. He is will to stand again for a second term, so nominations are welcome, but not essential.
• The Honorary Secretary (elected for two years), Hannah Leonard, having completed the first year of her first term in office, is prepared to continue for the second year. However, should no other nominations be received for the post of Treasurer, she is willing to stand for this role instead, so nominations for the post of Secretary are sought.
• The Honorary Treasurer (elected for two years), remains vacant as Theo Berkout is acting in this role, having stood down at the last AGM. Nominations for the post of Treasurer are essential.
  • Out Treasurer plays a key part in helping us manage our finances responsibly and sustainably. You don’t need special skills or accountancy qualifications – just a good head for numbers, the ability to think in the long term, the willingness to take on a Trustee role and an interest in helping us make the most of every penny! With an income of less than £50k a year, healthy reserves and a history of excellent financial management, our affairs are quite straightforward. There’s a detailed finance policy and established accounts processes to support you, and extra guidance is available from our independent auditor as well as handover and support from the outgoing Treasurer.
• The seven Committee Members are elected annually, so nominations are sought for these posts. The current Committee Members are Ken Allford, Derek Palmer, Jonathon Wallis, Chris Smith, Jo Manser, Angela Reiss and Andy Lee; all are currently expected to stand again. If the Treasurer/Secretary roles are filled from within the existing Committee, there will be a vacancy, in which case nominations will be essential.

Please consider standing for the Management Committee, without which the Company of Players cannot operate. The Committee is responsible for the day to day running of the Company and the Little Theatre building. Committee meetings are held monthly, usually in person, and each committee member takes on an area of responsibility that suits their skills and preferences.

Election to the Board of Trustees and the Management Committee

All Full, Life and Honorary Life members of CoPs are eligible for election to the Trustees Board and Management Committee. Those seeking nomination must be proposed and seconded by other Full, Life or Honorary Life members only.

All nominations should be accompanied by the agreement of the nominee, witnessed by a proposer and a seconder, and sent to the Honorary Secretary to arrive at least seven days prior to the AGM. Nominations may be made online, or on a form available on the CoPs website, or from the Honorary Secretary, (hannah.leonard@btinternet.com).

If you would like to stand for the Trustees Board or Committee but do not have a proposer or seconder, please contact the Honorary Secretary for guidance.

A list of candidates for election who have been proposed and seconded will be posted on the door of the Little Theatre, as from 9th October, shown on the CoPs website, and supplied to any member who requests it.

Should any of the posts be contested, an election will be held at the AGM, amongst those members present.