Executive Liaison
An application from an organisation to join the UK federation must be signed by a senior officer of the organisation, known as the Executive Liaison, who would normally sign important contracts for the organisation. (For example, in a university or college of further education, the Executive Liaison might be Director of Information Services, or Principal or Vice-Principal of the organisation.)
The Executive Liaison (EL) is authorised to legally bind the organisation to the federation’s Rules of Membership, which are described in the federation website.
For schools, the Executive Liaison is a senior officer of the responsible Local Authority or Regional Broadband Consortium.
The Executive Liaison has the authority to appoint new Management Liaisons for the organisation. The EL is also authorised to request changes to any federation entity (identity provider or service provider) belonging to the organisation, although normally this will be done by a Management Liaison or the Administrative Contact for the entity.
The procedure which an organisation is required to follow in order to join the federation is described in the federation's membership application page. An organisation wishing to change its Executive Liaison should contact the UK federation helpdesk for advice.
Replacing an Executive Liaison
Ideally, an EL who is about to leave their post would appoint a successor in the role, and notify the UK federation in writing (this may be by post or email).
If an EL leaves an organisation without nominating a successor, the UK federation will seek independent confirmation that they are no longer available and attempt to obtain the name of someone of sufficient seniority to act as a replacement. We will accept confirmation (again, email is acceptable) from a person who confirms understanding of the role, and who accepts the responsibility of the EL position.