As many of you will be aware, I have been appointed to a position at University College London - Qatar and in the light of my forthcoming relocation to Doha, I feel that it is necessary for me to stand down as Chair of the EES Board of Trustees as the role involves frequent attendance at meetings, in person, and additional duties which I would not be able to fulfil at such a distance. It is with great regret that I have come to this decision, as the Society is very important to me and we have made such great strides forward over the last couple of years with the support of the Trustees and as ever the excellent Staff, but it is the responsible decision to make. I hope to continue as a Trustee, as I will be in the UK regularly. Your Trustees have unanimously agreed to nominate as my successor Dr Aidan Dodson. Aidan is very well known and respected in the world of Egyptology, and has been a long time supporter of the Society. He has served for many years on the Board, as a Trustee and on occasion as Treasurer. I feel sure that he will do an excellent job as Chair and whole heartedly support his nomination to this role.
Sir Julian Horn-Smith is retiring as EES President at the end of his term of office and the Trustees are nominating Professor Alan Lloyd to succeed him. Alan needs no introduction to EES members, having been our Chair for many years, and, currently, a Vice-President of the Society. We are very pleased that Alan has agreed to serve as EES President.
Paul Cove who has been our Treasurer since 2008 is standing down this year, but is willing to continue as a Trustee. During his time as Treasurer, Paul has contributed his financial expertise to the management of the accounts, transforming the Society’s procedures so that we now work in a far more professional and accessible manner in this area. His willingness to continue to bring his expertise to matters of governance will further serve to benefit the Society. As his successor, your Trustees are nominating Susan Royce who has many years experience in the charities sector and an extremely sound financial background. I am very pleased to support her nomination to the post of Treasurer.
In accordance with our current Articles of Association five Trustees need to retire each year and those who have served for three years are myself, Paul, Susan Daniels and Ben Rayner. The Board is very grateful to George Hart who has served only two years for volunteering to retire early to give us the requisite number of five. Since there were no additional nominations from the membership this year and all the retiring Trustees are eligible to stand again, the Board is recommending that all five be re-elected.
Dr Patricia Spencer is retiring as Director of the Society at the end of 2011 after thirty years at the Society in various roles, and indeed, during this time, has come to represent the Society to the Members and beyond. The Society has faced many challenges during this period, not least its ability to continue in a very difficult economic climate. At all times Pat’s expertise and experience have allowed the Society to negotiate successfully such challenges and take the Society forward. Her contribution is not limited to the management of the Society: for many years she has edited Egyptian Archaeology, the Society’s magazine, and carried out fieldwork in Egypt. We are pleased that she will be continuing as Editor of EA in her new role as General Editor.
Pat will be succeeded by the current Deputy Director, Chris Naunton, who brings many years of relevant experience in Egyptology and management, and I have no doubt that he will rise to the challenge of developing and growing the Society. Chris has the full support of the Trustees and I hope that you, the Members, will support him in his new role.
Best wishes,
Karen
Brief biographies of those nominated for election at the Society's Annual General Meeting on Saturday 10 December 2011 are being mailed to EES members and can be downloaded here.