Latest news from the RPS
We want members to stay connected and informed with RPS operations and governance. To help members who want the latest news to stay informed we’ll post timely news and updates on this page. Check back regularly for updates.
29 May 2026: RPS Presidential Election 2026 Update
The RPS Nominations Committee have provided an update on the Presidential Election process.
Click here to find out more.
19 May 2026: Vacancies for members of the RPS Finance Committee (FinCom)
We are looking for engaged and motivated individuals to join the RPS Finance Committee and work alongside the Honorary Treasurer to support the RPS on the next stage of its mission to bring photography to everyone. If you have business experience and an interest in finance, we would love to hear from you.
About the Royal Photographic Society
The RPS is an educational charity committed to bringing photography to everyone. Founded in 1853 to make the art and science of photography more widely available, and underpinned by a Royal Charter and its own set of Bylaws, it has evolved to meet the interests and needs of its members and the changing nature of photography.
The vision of the RPS is to bring photography to everyone, both by providing public benefit and promoting the highest standards of achievement in photography. With the rapid evolution of photography, the RPS is on an exciting journey to ensure it continues to fulfil its purpose; to inspire creativity and personal expression in all of us and to share ideas, beliefs and interpretations of the world.
The RPS Board of Trustees provide governance and assurance that the RPS fulfils its charitable objects and supports the RPS Senior Leadership Team, staff and volunteers in effective delivery of the RPS’ strategic and transformational plan.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee comprises of five persons, including the Honorary Treasurer, to bring added support, scrutiny and assurance to the financial arrangements of the RPS. We are particularly keen to hear from those with a Chartered Accountant qualification, but we also welcome those with business backgrounds that include experience with budgeting and financial management. In summary, we are seeking individuals who have:
- Suitable qualifications (with at least one FinCom member qualified as a Chartered Accountant).
- Experience in a business with a turnover in excess of £3m.
- Experience at Executive/SLT/SMT/CFO etc. level.
- Experience with the oversight of budgets and assurance thereof.
- Commercial/Business Acumen.
- Experience gained within a charity setting or non-profit environment (desirable but not essential).
Finance Committee : Terms of Reference
Further Information
If you are interested and have the requisite skills and experience as outlined above, please read the Financial Committee Terms of Reference or contact david.muiry@rps.org, RPS Honorary Treasurer, for an informal chat about the role.
Applications
The application process will be overseen by the RPS Nominations Committee.
To apply please send us a CV and a covering letter explaining how you would meet the role specification, detailing your relevant experience and what excites you about this role. Please also complete our EDI monitoring form.
Email your CV and cover letter to: nomchair@rps.org by 0900 (GMT) on 22 June 2026.
In view of the financial nature of this post, we will take up one professional reference. The reference will not be sought prior to making the provisional offer of appointment. The successful candidate will be asked for the details of a referee.
29 April 2026: Notice of Trustee Election
Notice is hereby given that a vacancy has arisen on the Board of Trustees of the Royal Photographic Society.
The Society will proceed to an election to fill this vacancy in accordance with the provision of By-Law 2025:16
The Society’s Nominations Committee, supported by the CEO, will manage this process.
Eligible members shall be invited to submit nominations in accordance with the provisions set out in the By-Laws 2025 and relevant regulations.
Details of the nomination process, including eligibility criteria, required documentation, and the timetable for submission, will in due course be made available to the membership by the Nominations Committee and published on this page.
There is only one vacancy. If we receive more than one valid nomination, a ballot of eligible members will be conducted. If we receive only one valid nomination, the duly nominated candidate will be declared elected in accordance with the By-Laws 2025.
Further information will be issued by the Nominations Committee in due course.
24 October 2025: AGM
The AGM 2025 Minutes and Q&A Summary were approved by the Board of Trustees on 24 October 2025.
20 September 2025: Appointment of New Trustees
At the AGM 2025, the President (as Chair of Trustees) reported on the appointment new Trustees. Following a recruitment process managed by Nominations Committee (under the Chair of Alastair Taylor ARPS) and Matthew Lodge LRPS (on behalf of the Board as Acting Chair of Finance Committee), David Muiry FIA ARPS was appointed Honorary Treasurer to serve until the close of the AGM 2028. Following a recruitment campaign for three Appointed Trustees (to fill the vacancies created by the resignations of Andrew Clifforth and Melissa Magnusson, and with the three-year tenure of Sophie Collins coming to an end, three appointments were made: Sophie Collins LRPS was re-appointed to the Board; while Alistair How LRPS and Joanne Segars OBE LRPS were new appointees. All three to serve until the close of the AGM 2028. The President reported that at the close of the AGM 2025, the Board was at full strength of nine Trustees.
26 June 2025: New By Laws
With the Members voting at the recent EGM on 24th April 2025, in support of the Board’s Motion for revisions to the By Laws, the Privy Council today issued an Order confirming these revisions. This concludes the re-election of Simon Hill CPhot HonFRPS to serve as President until the close of the AGM in 2027 by which time a President designate must be elected by the Members. The new By Laws take immediate effect.
9 June 2025: Appointment of Honorary Treasurer
Following the resignation of Charlotte Fraiberg on 9th February 2025, to take up a position with another organisation, the Board has appointed David Muiry FIA ARPS as Honorary Treasurer and Trustee on 9th June 2025. This is a three year appointment.
30 May 2025: Appointment of Co-opted Trustee
Following the resignation of Andrew Clifforth (Appointed Trustee) on 10th January 2025, the Board has appointed Mathew Lodge LRPS on 28th March 2025, as a Co-opted Trustee to serve until the close of the AGM in September 2025. Mathew was also elected to the position of Deputy Chair on 30th May 2025 and will therefore be Chair of RepCom until September 2025. Following the resignation of Melissa Magnuson ARPS (Appointed Trustee) on 16th April 2025, the Board decided not to co-opt a Trustee to this vacancy, pending recruitment of trustees prior to the AGM.
30 April 2025: RPS Operations News
Victoria Humphries has been appointed as the CEO of the RPS and will commence in this role from 19 May 2025.
24 April 2025: RPS Governance News
Extraordinary General Meeting was held on the motion to amend the By Laws to allow Simon Hill to be re-elect for a further two more years. The vote was passed and the By Laws will be amended.
15 April 2025: RPS Governance News
Appointed Trustee Melissa Magnusson ARPS resigns from the Board of Trustees. Trustee recruitment will commence in advance of the Annual General Meeting on 20 September 2025.
28 March 2025: RPS Governance News
Registration opened for Extraordinary General Meeting to vote on the motion. Members could read the updated FAQs following the Town Hall discussion and if they are unable to attend to vote in person can submit a vote by email.
5 March 2025: RPS Governance News
A Town Hall Meeting is held for members for the discussion of the proposed motion to extend Simon Hill’s term as president.
24 February 2025: RPS Governance News
The RPS commenced advertising for the role of Honorary Treasurer, and additional Finance Committee members, following the resignation of Charlotte Frailberg.
20 February 2025: RPS Governance News
Following investigation, the notification of there being a candidate was found to be incorrect. Simon Hill informs Members that the Motion has been affirmed by the Board and the Town Hall meeting has been rescheduled for 5 March 2025.
11 February 2025: RPS Governance News
The Deputy Chair of Trustees notifies the Board that a candidate has come forward and received a seconder, and that the Motion no longer has the unanimous support of the Board of Trustees. On 11 February the Motion is withdrawn by president and Members are notified that the Town Hall meeting for 12 February has been cancelled.
6 February 2025: RPS Operations News
RPS Members Committee and Representative Committee informed of Dan Jones’s resignation from the role of CEO of the RPS with his last day confirmed as 30 April 2025.
31 January 2025: RPS Governance News
Following the Motion being given final Board approval for issue to Members, and the proposed Motion being briefed to RPS Representatives Committee and the RPS Members Committee, notice of the planned Town Hall meeting was issued to members. This allows for the discussion of the proposed motion and was scheduled for 12 February, with an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) scheduled for 24 April 2025 to vote on the change to the by-law.
15 January 2025: RPS Governance News
Appointed Trustee Andrew Clifforth resigns from the Board of Trustees. Trustee recruitment will commence in advance of the Annual General Meeting on 20 September 2025.
20 December 2024: RPS Governance News
Following unanimous support from the RPS Board and Nominations committee, approval was obtained from Privy Council Advisers to proceed to the Extra Ordinary General Meeting on 24 April 2024.
28 November 2024: RPS Governance News
Following a Board Meeting on 25 October to discuss the risk of succession the Board of Trustees proposed a Motion to extend Simon Hill's term as President for two more years. The Motion has the support of the Board of Trustees.
21 September 2024: RPS Governance News
Annual General Meeting 2024. New Trustees onboarded Andrew Clifforth, Carolyn Bloore ARPS, Victoria Forrest, Melissa Magnusson ARPS, James Weeks LRPS.