Purpose of Council
As the governing body of the University, we have general oversight over the institution and its affairs. Council comprises 15 members, with a lay majority who come from outside the University, bringing other sector skills and experience. The Vice-Chancellor is a member of Council, as are members of University staff and two elected officers from the Students' Union.
We act in the interests of the University as a whole, take collective responsibility for making decisions, and adhere to the seven Nolan Principles of public life.
We meet four times a year, participate in strategy sessions and sit on Council committees, including finance, remuneration, audit and risk.
Key responsibilities
Council Terms of Reference are set out in Statute 10 of the University Statutes (Powers of the Council) and University Ordinance 5 (Powers of the Council).
Procedural rules
The Council should hold a minimum of four ordinary meetings per year, the dates for which are published before the start of the academic year.
Quorum: The quorum for meetings shall eight members, of whom at least five must be lay members.
Delegated authorities are set out in the Scheme of Delegation.
Membership
The terms of office expire on 31 July, unless otherwise stated.
Ex Officio members
- Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President
- Dr Sabina Gheduzzi, Chair of Academic Assembly
Appointed members
- Sharon Flood, Chair of Council, term of office 2028
- Calum Mercer, Treasurer, term of office 2028
- Professor Dot Griffiths OBE, Senior Independent Director, appointed by Council, term of office 2028
- Alun Griffiths, appointed by Council, term of office 2029
- Jo Rhoden, appointed by Council, term of office 30 August 2027
- Alexander Phillips, appointed by Council, term of office 2029
- William Priest, appointed by Council, term of office 2029
- Professor Anthony Smith, appointed by Council, term of office 30 August 2027
Staff members
- Professor Marcus Munaf貌, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, term of office 2027
- Esther Reeves, elected by Professional Services staff, term of office 2028
- Professor Paul Shepherd, elected by the members of Senate, term of office 2028
Student governors
- Angus Gueterbock, Students' Union President, term of office June 2027
- Helen Slater, Students' Union Education Officer, term of office June 2027
Routine attendees (in attendance)
- Professor Manuel Barcia, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement)
- Ian Blenkharn, University Secretary & Registrar
- Richard Brooks, Director of Human Resources
- Elisabeth Day, Head of Governance
- Corinne Evans, Executive Director (External Relations)
- Momna Hejmadi, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)
- Kirsty Shaw, Chief Operating Officer
- Clare Stevenson, Deputy University Secretary
- Professor Cassie Wilson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience & sport)
- Martin Williams, Director of Finance
- Jianzhong Wu, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Observer
- Ryan Bird, Chief Executive, Students Union
Register of members' interests
To ensure transparency and impartiality, Council maintains a register of members' interests available online.