The Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists [AACP] is a clinical interest [CIG] group affiliated to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. The AACP represents those Physiotherapists who are interested in integrating Acupuncture into mainstream Physiotherapy for the management of pain and systemic conditions. There are more than 6000 Physiotherapists who are members of the AACP, using Acupuncture within clinical management, both in the NHS and private practice.
The AACP was started over twenty years ago and has grown steadily to the organisation that it is today. In 2004 it had increasingly become apparent that the organisation was becoming difficult to manage and with the Government initiative to introduce regulation of Acupuncture, it was decided by the then Executive that a study should look at the organisation of the Association to ensure that it was best placed to move into the new regulatory regime.
Following an extensive study carried out in 2005 by independent management consultants, it was recommended that the AACP should become a company limited by guarantee, with a centralised administration cell handling all secretariat, financial and professional matters. Following an Extraordinary General Meeting, held in November 2005, the formal decision was taken to become a Limited Company.
AACP Limited was formally incorporated on 19 January 2006 and a new Board of Directors was set up under the Chair of the 'old' AACP, Jennie Longbottom. Jennie was the Chair of AACP Limited for three years until May 2009, in the latter part of her tenure taking on the role of Executive Chair, in recognition of the need of more pro-active direction of AACP. On Jennie's stepping down as Chair in May 2009, she was succeeded by Merian Denning. Merian has reverted to being a non-Executive Chair, supported by a Chief Executive Officer [CEO]. Directors receive an emolument of £300 per Board Meeting, in recognition of the time taken from their normal jobs. The Chair receives an additional emolument of £1500 in recognition of the time spent on AACP business throughout the year.
The Board is supported by an Accountant/Financial Advisor, an Auditor and a Company Secretary. The Accountant, Auditor and Company Secretary are paid for work done at standard commercial rates. The CEO and AACP Office, at Peterborough, provide administrative and management support as directed by the AACP Board.
Board Members are bound by a Code of Conduct that specifically requires them to declare if they have a personal interest in any matter under discussion by the Board. Directors are excluded from taking part in discussion or voting on any issue in which they may have a personal interest.
