Our Governance
Maintaining the accountability, trust and transparency our community deserves
ESC elections
Your elected leadership, our shared future
Every two years, we embark on an exciting democratic journey to elect a new Board and Nominating Committee members and one member of the Audit Committee.
This process is central to who we are and our success as a scientific society. It ensures that expertise, passion and diverse perspectives from across our National Cardiac Societies, Associations, Working Groups and Councils, keep us focused on what matters most - collectively advancing cardiovascular science and delivering better care across the globe.
The ESC election process is published online for each new mandate. To ensure our elections are representative, fair, and ethical, the process is governed by the ESC Statutes and Bylaws and overseen by the Management Group with the support of the Nominating Committee.
ESC statutes
The founding rules for a transparent framework
The ESC Statutes is a legal document that outlines the guiding principles of who we are and how we operate as a society.
This is the highest governing document and any changes to these fundamental rules can only be made through a vote at the ESC General Assembly, ensuring transparency and democratic oversight. Votes are cast by delegates appointed by our constituent bodies – National Cardiac Societies, Associations, Councils and Working Groups – so that the ultimate voice always belongs to our entire community.
ESC bylaws
Efficiency for our work and activities
Our bylaws, including the Rules of Governance for our Associations, Councils and Working Groups, explain in detail how we manage our activities. They complement (but are secondary to) our Statutes and, unlike our statutes, changes to the bylaws are approved by the ESC Board.
By clearly defining internal processes and operations, these bylaws help us act efficiently, avoid conflicts and make decisions smoothly. This clarity ensures that everyone understands their rights and obligations within the ESC, enabling transparency and accountability across the society.
Upholding our governance
Actively implementing fair and transparent governance
As a trusted, not-for-profit society, it’s essential that our rules and frameworks are applied with care and integrity. Within the ESC’s Statutes, three Committees are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of governance, providing ethical oversight and ensuring transparency across all our activities. An additional Governance Task Force was put in place to asses the efficiency of our governance models.
ESC Audit Committee
The ESC Audit Committee provides independent, expert oversight on our financial and business practices, ensuring that the appropriate declaration of interests and ethical conduct policy are implemented by the Board.
ESC Ethics Committee
The ESC Ethics Committee may be consulted by the Management Group or the Board on specific ethical issues. The committee issues recommendations on ethical principles of professional and scientific conduct that affect the ESC.
ESC Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying the most qualified and diverse candidates for elected positions within the ESC and ensures a fair and transparent nomination process.
ESC Governance Task Force
This task force reviews and refines our ways of working, enabling us to have an agile and responsible response to new challenges and emerging scientific evidence.