The main functions of the Remuneration Committee are to:
- Consider, recommend and justify to the Council any cost-of-living increases or variations that are applied annually to all grades of staff.
- Determine the remuneration and benefits of the Executive Director.
- Consider, recommend and justify to Council any annual variations in the levels of the honoraria that the RAS awards
Remuneration Committee
- Ian Russell, Executive Director, Royal Astronomical Society
- Arvind Parmar (Chair), Treasurer
- Lyndsay Fletcher, Finance Committee member
- Mark Lester, Senior Secretary
MEETINGS AND REPORTING
The RAS Executive Director will call the meeting and issue the agenda.
The committee shall meet at least once a year, normally in December ahead of the February Council meeting and at other times when necessary. It may conduct its meetings in person or virtually.
The Treasurer will chair the committee.
The Treasurer will also act as the Secretary and will take minutes. The Treasurer will ensure that the outcome of each meeting is forwarded to Council.
A quorum shall consist of two members.
GOVERNANCE
The RAS Remuneration Committee is a subordinate committee to the RAS Council. Section VIII of the byelaws (Revied 2025) – Administrative Matters states:
30.1 The Council may establish committees and other bodies (such as scrutineers or working groups) to forward the Object of the Society.
30.2 The Council may appoint persons not members of the Society to serve on a committee or other body; such persons shall have an equal voice with the other members of the committee or other body. The membership of each committee shall include at least one Council Member.
30.3 The Council may impose conditions when delegating powers, including that:
30.3.1 the relevant powers are to be exercised exclusively by the committee to which they are delegated;
30.3.2 no expenditure may be incurred except in accordance with a budget previously agreed with the Council.
30.3.3 The Council may revoke or alter a delegated power or an action taken under a delegated power.
30.4 The conduct of committee meetings, including in particular notice, quorum, means of participation and voting requirements, shall be set out in regulations.
30.5 Reports from each meeting of a committee or other body shall be promptly submitted to the Council.
MEMBERSHIP
- The Committee shall consist of the President, Treasurer, Senior Secretary and normally one Fellow with relevant expertise.
Term of Appointment
- The President, Treasurer and Senior Secretary serve for the duration of their terms in office; other Fellows for 3 years, with the option of one immediate renewal of 3 years. A gap of one year shall lapse before a Fellow can be considered for reappointment.
Other attendance
- The Executive Director will be invited to attend meetings of the Remuneration Committee as and when necessary.
- Other staff may at the Remuneration Committee’s request, attend meetings as required.