Dear Members,
When the Club took over the management of Horspath Athletics Track from the council in 2018, a Community Interest Company (CIC) was created as the legal structure to enable this. The CIC is the body legally responsible for the Club’s governance, finances, and compliance.
Under the Articles of Association, Oxford City Athletic Club CIC must have at least three Directors. The CIC currently has only two Directors in post, and both are approaching the end of their terms. The CIC is therefore seeking volunteers from the membership to stand as Directors. Further information about the role is provided below, and the full Articles of Association are available on the Club website.
If you are interested in putting your name forward, please email Admin@OxfordCityAC.com. You will then be put in contact with the current Directors, Mark Bristow and Sarah Davies, for an initial discussion.
Appointment Process and Timetable
Nominations submitted to Admin@OxfordCityAC.com by 10 July.
Hybrid meeting (online and in person) on the evening of Thursday 23 July to hold the membership vote required to appoint Directors.
Best wishes,
Mark Bristow & Sarah Davies
Directors, Oxford City Athletic Club CIC
ROLE OF DIRECTORS IN THE CIC
Oxford City AC operates as a Community Interest Company (CIC). This means the Club is a regulated corporate entity with legal duties, reporting obligations, and an asset lock that ensures all resources are used for community benefit. Under Article 9 of the Articles of Association, the Directors are responsible for the management of the Company’s business and may exercise all its powers.
Directors are therefore the individuals legally accountable for ensuring that the Club is run properly, lawfully, and in line with its community purpose.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS
Directors have a number of statutory and governance responsibilities, including:
- Ensuring compliance with the Companies Act 2006 and CIC regulations.
- Safeguarding the Club’s assets and ensuring they are used only for community benefit, in line with the CIC asset lock.
- Overseeing the Club’s finances, approving budgets, and ensuring proper accounting records are maintained.
- Ensuring that all surplus income is reinvested into the Club, as required by our not‑for‑profit status.
- Setting and maintaining governance standards, including policies, risk management, safeguarding oversight, and regulatory reporting.
- The Directors currently delegate day‑to‑day sporting and operational matters to the Club Committee (Article 13), while retaining ultimate accountability for the Club’s direction and compliance.
- Acting at all times in the best interests of the Club and its Members, and declaring any conflicts of interest.
MINIMUM NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
Article 24.3 of the Articles of Association requires the Club to have at least three Directors. If the number falls below three, the remaining Directors may only act to call a general meeting to appoint new Directors. With only two Directors currently in post, and both nearing the end of their terms, we must appoint new Directors to restore compliance.
ELIGIBILITY AND APPOINTMENT
Under Article 24.2, a person may be appointed as a Director if they:
- Are a Member or are nominated by a class of Members eligible to appoint Directors.
- Are willing to act.
- Are legally permitted to serve as a Director.
- Are appointed by a resolution of the Members at a duly convened meeting.
TERM OF OFFICE
- Directors normally serve a three‑year term (Article 25.1).
- They may be reappointed for one further three‑year term.
- No Director may serve more than six consecutive years unless the Members specifically agree it is in the Club’s best interests.
WHY DIRECTORS ARE ESSENTIAL
Directors are the legal custodians of the Club. They:
- Provide strategic leadership and long‑term stability.
- Ensure the Club meets its legal and regulatory obligations.
- Protect the Club’s finances and assets.
- Uphold the Club’s community purpose and not‑for‑profit status.
- Support the Club Committee by providing governance oversight and continuity.