Governance and leadership

Our Board of Governors

The University College is directed by its Board of Governors acting under these Articles of Association. The Board has ultimate responsibility for the strategy, performance and sustainability of the institution. It approves the University College’s mission and strategy, monitors institutional performance and ensures its effective management. The current Chair of the Board is Mr Adrian Wild.

The articles of association mandate that the number of Board members (who fulfil the role of directors for company law purposes) is not less than twelve and (unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution) not greater than twenty-five.
The Principal of the University College, the Staff Governor and the Student Union President and Vice-President are ex officio members. The rest of the Board members are independent lay members elected for their expertise.

The Board actively endeavours to maintain the skills mix required for an effective Board, and where a skills gap is identified, nominations for new Governors are sought in a variety of ways, including advertising, through National Associations, and publicising vacancies to staff and graduates of the University College.
Nominations for independent members of the Board are considered by the Nominations Committee before a recommendation is made to the Board. Appointments are for four years and may be renewed for a second term of office. All new governors receive a full induction. A Register of Interests is held by the Clerk to the Board of Governors and details the interests of members of the Board; this is renewed annually.

The Board meets four times a year. It has a number of standing committees which meet regularly between Board meetings:

• Audit & Risk Assurance Committee oversees the appointment of the internal and external auditors, and gives assurance to the Board on internal controls, compliance, risk management and value for money. 

• Finance & General Purposes Committee is responsible for the detailed scrutiny of the proposed budget and its subsequent management as well as for all Estates matters.

• Nominations Committee reviews Board succession planning and recommends appointments of new Governors as well as re-appointments.

• Remunerations & HR Committee considers the salary and conditions of service of the Principal, and of the Executive Group as well as having oversight of HR matters.

The management and academic committee structure is overseen by the Board of Governors and Academic Board