NAFAS

The National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies announces the creation of a new Finance, Investment, Risk and Audit Committee with appointments to this Committee.  

 

National Chairman Nicky Wylie today announced that the Board has created a sub-Committee on Finance, Investment, Risk and Audit Committee (FIRAC) with ratification through a change in the Standing Orders by Voting Members of NAFAS set for the October National Advisory Council meeting.  FIRAC replaces a Finance Team that was chaired by the CEO.  The CEO and Finance Manager are Ex-officio non-voting members of FIRAC.

 

Board Members Jan Armitage and Graham Weaver have agreed to serve as Chairman of Finance and Investment and Chairman of Risk and Audit, respectively.  The Committee will have a common membership, but with a changing Chairman as the business of the Committee changes.  Other members of the Committee are: NAFAS Board members, Dr Paula McAlinden and Joan Magee and NAFAS members co-opted to the Committee, Debbie Wadge and Ellie Meaking.  The Committee may be comprised of up to 7 members as long as Board members hold a majority on the Committee.  The Committee is advisory to the Board.

 

In January 2026, the Board undertook a review of its governance structures feeling it was important as it embarked on the Renewal Programme that it first looked at its own operations.  Two of the key recommendations were to the recruitment of a chartered accountant to the Board and the creation of a Board sub-committee on financial matters.

 

In May 2026 the Board appointed Jan Armitage, a Chartered Accountant, to the Board and on 15 September 2026 created FIRAC.  The creation of FIRAC will require a small change to the Standing Orders of the Association with the Voting Members of NAFAS being asked to approve this in October.

 

The appointment of Graham Weaver as Chairman of Risk and Audit also greatly strengthens oversight in this area. He brings his expertise and experience of Health and Safely including senior roles at Airbus to this new role.

 

 Quote from National Chairman, Nicky Wylie

“I am very pleased with the work led by our CEO Richard Abraham in this area of our Renewal Programme. 

Improved and strengthened governance structures is not an end in itself, but it is a key determinant of the ability of any organisation to function well and meet the needs of its members.  At the heart of any organisation is sound financial management and these changes will help us to improve in this area.

I am grateful to Jan and Graham for taking on these leadership roles and of the Committee members for agreeing to serve

We continue to work with Area Chairmen to look at ways to support and renew sustainable governance at a club and Area level.”