The Dons Trust board would like to thank Ed Mayo for undertaking the
Independent Review of the 2025 board Elections and for the thorough, collaborative and constructive way in which he approached the review.
We are also grateful to all members, candidates, volunteers, and other stakeholders who took the time to engage openly and honestly with the review process, whether through written submissions or interviews. This input was invaluable in ensuring the review properly reflected the breadth of views and experiences across the Trust.
The board welcomes the review’s findings and acknowledges its conclusion that, while the 2025 elections were duly constituted and the results legitimate, there is a clear need to enhance governance, clarity, and formality around the elections process going forward.
We recognise that improvements are required both to strengthen confidence in the process and to support a healthy, inclusive democratic culture within the Trust.
The board accepts all of the recommendations set out in the report in full and is committed to implementing them.
We will move at pace to put these changes into effect and will communicate clearly with members on progress. The board sees this as an opportunity not only to improve the conduct of future elections, but also to reinforce trust, transparency and accountability at the heart of the Dons Trust.
James Ledward, who will not be a potential candidate in the 2026 elections, will lead the implementation of the agreed actions on behalf of the board.
He will report progress regularly to the board and we will collectively ensure that members are kept informed as the recommendations are taken forward.
Angus Fox, chair (he/him)
On behalf of The Dons Trust board
The full report can be found here: Independent Review of the 2025 board Elections