Council elections

Nominations are now invited from any CIPFA members wishing to stand for election to Council at the 2023 AGM.


Being on CIPFA’s Council provides a unique opportunity to set the strategic framework and direction for the Institute. Council is CIPFA’s governing body, and it has a wide-ranging remit that includes:

  • approving standards of professional practice and statements and codes of best practice
  • setting strategic direction
  • approving mid-term strategy, the annual business plan and budget
  • recommending the annual report and accounts for approval by members
  • setting the risk mandate to inform the risk culture of CIPFA
  • approving the terms of reference and delegated powers of its committees and boards
  • making appointments, including Council co-options.

Submit a nomination

The nomination process opened on the 9 January 2023.

You have until the 19 February 2023 to submit your nomination.

Visit https://hub.ukevote.uk/cipfa to submit an online application or to nominate an individual - with their agreement.


Who can stand for election?

To be effective, Council needs to draw from all corners of the public sector and contain a broad mix of skills, knowledge and experience to help generate new ideas and bring diversity of thought to the Institute. Candidates in all stages of their careers are welcome, and we are particularly seeking candidates from under-represented groups.

All Council members are the trustees of the Institute.

Effective Council members will demonstrate:

  • a strategic and creative vision
  • a good awareness of the issues affecting their section of the public sector
  • good interpersonal, communication and networking skills
  • a clear commitment to upholding the values, strategies and decisions of the Institute and to serving the public interest ahead of any self-interest
  • a commitment to the seven Nolan Principles of Public Life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Candidates for election to Council must:

  • be current, qualified members of the Institute
  • have been in paid employment for a minimum of 12 months in aggregate (with a minimum average of 18 hours per week) during the period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2022.

Details of the role

There are 21 elected seats available on CIPFA’s Council. Further information is available in our regional allocations and postcode guide (PDF, 219KB).

Find out more about what being a member of CIPFA's Council involves.

Time commitment

Being a member of Council involves a significant time commitment. Council members will need to be engaged with the regions and attend:

  • Council meetings four times a year (meetings are a mix of virtual and face to face and typically last three hours)
  • subcommittee meetings (approximately four times a year)
  • CIPFA organised events, such as the AGM, annual conference, etc.

Maximum service on Council

In November 2022, the nominations committee agreed to introduce a maximum service on CIPFA Council. A limit of nine years was agreed in line with best practice recommendations from the Charity Governance Code.

From 2023, members wishing to stand for Council will be limited to an aggregate of nine years’ service on Council. Therefore, you may wish to consider planning your CIPFA journey.

Contributing to CIPFA is not limited to being on Council. There are many avenues for you to get involved through co-options to subcommittees, roles on external bodies and roles in the regions.



How to apply

Submit your application online

You can nominate yourself or someone else as long as you have their permission.

The nominations window closes on 19 February.