The S and P Sephardi Community will continue its modernisation process by streamlining its lay leadership structure.

The two governing bodies, the mahamad (executive) and board of elders, will merge into a single trustee group consisting of nine people serving a three-year term. In September, Britain's oldest community changed its name from the Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation.

David Ereira, who has chaired the governance review, said that the new arrangement would enable "our historic S&P Sephardi community to operate in a modern, open and transparent structure and be able to respond to issues within good practice and compliance, including the presentation of an annual business plan in the spirit of open and transparent leadership".

He looked forward to "welcoming more women to the new board of trustees".

The Board of Elders consists of 12 men and three women, including six who serve on the mahamad.