Process to nominate and elect a Director of Nationwide

The Nationwide memorandum and rules set out the process to nominate and elect a board director.

The key sections are Rule 30 “Appointment, Election and Retirement of Directors” and Rule 31 “Nomination for Election of Directors”.

If a vacancy arises, it’s possible for the board to appoint a director. Rule 30 (a) stipulates this. That director would have to subsequently be elected by the membership at the next AGM.

But even if there isn’t a vacancy, it’s still possible to be nominated by a subset of the membership, provide the necessary information, and then elected by the membership at the next AGM.

The three main steps are:

1. Fulfil the requirements for nomination
2. Provide any information deemed necessary by the board
3. Be elected by the membership

Further information under each of these steps is given below.

Step 1: Nomination (click here to Nominate James)

Rule 31 (b) states:

(b) A nomination for election as a Director may be made by 250 qualified two year members. The nomination must:

(i) be in writing, signed by the nominated candidate and by each of the qualified two year members nominating him;

(ii) state the full names and addresses (including post codes) of each of those qualified two year members; and

(iii) be received by the Society at its head office addressed to the Secretary accompanied by a deposit of £500* by the end of the financial year preceding the election. Any nomination received after that date will be carried forward (unless the candidate requires otherwise) as a nomination for the next election of directors.

Rule 31(b) of the Nationwide Memorandum and Rules

Step 2: Supply requested information to board

Rule 30 (h) provides the board with the powers to request information from any potential Director.

In the exercise of its duties under Rule 27, the Board may require any individual who is being considered for appointment or election as a Director under this Rule 30, or who is nominated for election as a Director under Rule 31, to supply to the Board in writing:
(i) evidence of their qualifications, financial and managerial experience, creditworthiness, competence and character;
and
(ii) any duly completed form or questionnaire,

in whatever form the Board considers necessary to meet legal and regulatory requirements.

Rule 30 (h)

Step 3: Election by members

The final step is the to be elected by the membership – either at a meeting of the society or via a postal ballot.

As the end of the financial year is 4th April, the next opportunity to be elected at the AGM in 2025 – which is historically held on the third Wednesday of July – i.e. 16th July 2025.

All eligible members can vote, and votes can be submitted electronically or via postal ballot. The AGM voting window usually opens early June and carries through to the AGM itself.

Under Rule 22 “Notice of Meetings and Postal Ballots”, both a meeting notice and a postal ballot shall:

be accompanied in the case of an election of Directors by any election address of not more than 500 words or other details concerning the candidates required by the legislation;

Rule 22 (a)(v) and (b)(iv)

and in the case of a postal ballot shall:

be accompanied by a voting paper which in the case of an election of Directors shall state the number of Directors to be elected and contain a list of the eligible candidates (distinguishing between retiring Directors and other candidates);

Rule 22 (b)(iii)