Governance
Advisory Board
Independent oversight of the Sacred Logic™ Charter Mark certification scheme — providing governance, framework review, and complaints escalation that the scheme's credibility depends on.
Current status: The Advisory Board is being constituted. Positions are open for expression of interest (see below). Until the Board is fully seated, founder-led governance continues as described on the Governance & Independence page. Transparency about where we stand is itself a governance safeguard.
Why an Advisory Board
Sacred Logic™ Charter Mark certification currently operates as a founder-led scheme. Andrew Waterhouse makes all assessment and certification decisions, with structural safeguards — evidence requirements, a public registry, published rules, and a complaints process — built in from the outset. These safeguards are described in full on the Governance & Independence page.
An Advisory Board is the next step in that governance roadmap. It provides multi-disciplinary independent oversight before formal external accreditation is in place — strengthening the scheme's accountability to the organisations it certifies, the customers and suppliers who rely on certified organisations' claims, and the public whose rights and interests AI systems affect.
The Board does not replace the founder's role in individual certification decisions. It holds authority over the framework itself, the rules governing the scheme, escalated complaints, and the annual public account of how the scheme is performing. Those are the governance levers that matter most to the scheme's long-term integrity.
Board composition
Five positions, selected to bring the expertise the scheme's governance requires. All positions are currently being recruited.
1. Chair — Ethics & AI Governance
Position being recruited — appointment expected Q4 2026Expertise sought
- ✓AI ethics frameworks and applied AI governance
- ✓Technology policy or academic background in responsible AI
- ✓Independent of Sacred Logic Ltd and Charter Mark holders
Oversight responsibilities
- →Chairs all formal Advisory Board meetings
- →Signs off the Annual Governance Report
- →Acts as first escalation point for complaints referred from the founder
- →Casts deciding vote in tied governance decisions
2. Member — Human Rights & Civil Society
Position being recruited — appointment expected Q4 2026Expertise sought
- ✓Digital rights, data protection, or consumer advocacy
- ✓Experience representing individuals affected by automated decision-making
- ✓Civil society, NGO, legal, or regulatory background preferred
Oversight responsibilities
- →Reviews the Human Values Framework from a fundamental-rights perspective
- →Ensures complaints and appeals processes are accessible to affected individuals
- →Reviews any criterion change that touches privacy, fairness, or non-discrimination
3. Member — Technical AI Safety
Position being recruited — appointment expected Q1 2027Expertise sought
- ✓Machine learning, AI risk, or software engineering
- ✓Practical knowledge of AI system testing, auditing, or red-teaming
- ✓Academic, industry-research, or standards-body background
Oversight responsibilities
- →Advises on whether technical criteria in the Human Values Framework remain current with AI capability developments
- →Reviews escalated complaints that raise technical accuracy disputes
- →Contributes to the annual framework review
4. Member — Legal & Regulatory Compliance
Position being recruited — appointment expected Q1 2027Expertise sought
- ✓EU AI Act, GDPR, or comparable AI/data regulation
- ✓Compliance, legal practice, or regulatory-body experience
- ✓Familiarity with voluntary standards and conformity assessment
Oversight responsibilities
- →Reviews Certification Rules for legal accuracy and procedural fairness
- →Advises on alignment with EU AI Act Article 95 voluntary codes of conduct
- →Reviews any proposed scheme change with legal or regulatory implications before publication
5. Member — Organisational Transparency & Reporting
Position being recruited — appointment expected Q2 2027Expertise sought
- ✓Corporate governance, ESG reporting, or public accountability
- ✓Experience with sustainability disclosures, audit committees, or third-party assurance
- ✓Non-executive director, accountancy, or journalism background
Oversight responsibilities
- →Leads drafting of the Annual Governance Report
- →Reviews whether the public registry, Change Log, and framework documentation meet transparency commitments
- →Monitors implementation of the certification governance roadmap
Terms of Reference
These Terms of Reference govern the Advisory Board's authority, composition, and operating procedures. Any amendment requires a Board resolution and 14 days' notice before it takes effect, with changes published in the Change Log.
Version 1.0 — effective 24 August 2026. Pre-constitution (no Board members yet appointed).
1. Purpose
The Sacred Logic™ Advisory Board ('the Board') provides independent oversight of the Charter Mark certification scheme. Its purpose is to strengthen the governance, credibility, and public accountability of the scheme — particularly during the period before formal external accreditation is in place.
2. Scope of authority
The Board holds advisory and oversight authority over: (a) the Human Values Framework and its revisions; (b) the Certification Rules and associated appeal procedures; (c) the Annual Governance Report; and (d) complaints escalated to it under these Terms of Reference. The Board does not make individual certification decisions — those remain with the founder under the current governance model. The Board may recommend changes to that model.
3. Composition
The Board comprises five members, including a Chair. Collectively, members must bring expertise in AI ethics, human rights, technical AI safety, legal/regulatory compliance, and organisational transparency. A majority (three of five) of members must be independent of Sacred Logic Ltd and free from material conflicts of interest with Charter Mark holders at all times.
4. Appointments
Members are appointed by Sacred Logic Ltd following an open expression-of-interest process. The appointment criteria, shortlisting process, and all appointments are published in the Change Log. Members serve renewable two-year terms. The founder may not serve on the Board. Appointments are disclosed on this page including relevant expertise areas and material interests.
5. Meetings
The Board meets at minimum twice per calendar year: once to conduct the annual framework review and once to approve the Annual Governance Report. Additional meetings may be convened by the Chair or on request of any two members. Quorum is three members including the Chair or a Chair-designated deputy. Meeting outcomes are summarised in the Change Log within 30 days.
6. Annual framework review
Each year the Board reviews the ten-point Human Values Framework against developments in AI capability, regulation, and civil-society expectations. The review considers whether criteria remain technically accurate, legally aligned, and fit for purpose. Proposed material changes are published for a 30-day public comment period before adoption. The Board's review summary is included in the Annual Governance Report.
7. Complaints and escalated appeals
An organisation or affected individual may request Board review of a complaints or appeals determination where they believe (a) the process was not followed correctly, or (b) the outcome was manifestly unreasonable. Escalation requests must be submitted within 20 working days of the original determination. The Board Chair assigns the matter to a panel of at least two members free from conflict. The panel's written determination is final within the scheme and is published (anonymised where appropriate) in the Change Log.
8. Annual Governance Report
The Board publishes an Annual Governance Report covering: the number and outcomes of certifications, suspensions, and revocations in the year; complaints and appeals statistics; progress against the certification governance roadmap; any material changes to the framework or rules; and the Board's assessment of the scheme's independence and integrity. The report is published on this page and in the Change Log by 31 March each year for the preceding calendar year.
9. Conflicts of interest
Members must complete a written disclosure of interests at appointment and update it annually or whenever a material change occurs. Disclosures are published on this page in summary form. A member with a conflict in any matter under review must recuse from discussion and voting on that matter. The Chair determines whether a conflict is material; where the Chair has the conflict, the determination is made by the longest-serving conflict-free member.
10. Transparency and accountability
These Terms of Reference are a public document. Any amendment requires a Board resolution and a 14-day notice period before it takes effect, with changes published in the Change Log. The Board may commission independent reviews of the scheme and must publish their findings. Sacred Logic Ltd undertakes to provide the Board with full access to certification records, audit logs, and complaints files necessary for the Board to discharge its functions.
Annual Governance Reports
The Board publishes an Annual Governance Report by 31 March each year covering the preceding calendar year. The first report will cover 2026 and is due by 31 March 2027 — subject to the Board being constituted in time.
Expression of interest
Sacred Logic™ is actively recruiting for all five Advisory Board positions. We are looking for individuals with genuine expertise in the areas described above, a commitment to responsible AI governance, and the independence from conflicts the role requires. Board members serve in a voluntary capacity; reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
To express an interest, or to ask a question about any position, please email [email protected] with the subject line Advisory Board — [position title]. Please include a brief (one-page maximum) description of your relevant expertise and any interests you would be required to disclose.
All expressions of interest are acknowledged within five working days. The appointment process — including shortlisting criteria and decision timeline — will be published in the Change Log when recruitment formally opens.