Designees

Designees are individuals who have been named or appointed to perform a specific role, carry out duties, or act on behalf of another person or organization. A designee’s authority and responsibilities are typically defined in a contract, statute, policy, or other formal instrument, and the designation can be temporary or ongoing.

The term designee derives from designate, with the -ee suffix indicating the recipient of an action. It is commonly used in legal, governmental, corporate, and organizational contexts to distinguish the person who has been named from the person or body that designates.

In government and law, designees may serve as designated representatives, designated successors, or designated recipients of duties and privileges. Examples include a designated survivor chosen to maintain continuity of government or a designated representative authorized to act for a principal in meetings or negotiations. In corporate settings, a designee might attend board meetings, receive notices, negotiate on the company’s behalf, or serve as a temporary officer. In legal documents, a designated beneficiary or designated signer is named to receive benefits or execute documents.

Important considerations regarding designees include the scope and duration of their authority, conditions for revocation or replacement, and any fiduciary or confidentiality obligations. Designees are expected to perform duties within the limits set by the designating document and to act with the appropriate level of accountability.

See also: designated representative, designated survivor, designator, designation.