Key Responsibilities of a Governor
Board Membership
a) Governors have a responsibility for ensuring that the Board of Governors acts in accordance with the Instrument and Articles of Government of the University and with the University’s internal rules and regulations and should seek advice from the University Secretary in any case of uncertainty. The Code of Conduct summarises the key policies and constitutional documents which governors must abide by.
b) Governors are required to accept collective responsibility for the decisions reached by the Board of Governors. Governors elected, nominated or appointed by particular constituencies may not act as if delegated by the group they represent, and may not be bound in any way by mandates given to them by others.
c) Governors are expected to play an appropriate part in ensuring that the necessary business of the Board of Governors is carried on efficiently, effectively, and in a manner appropriate for the proper conduct of public business. They are expected to make rational and constructive contributions to debate and to make their knowledge and expertise available to the Board of Governors as opportunity arises.
Standards in Public Life
a) Governors have a responsibility for ensuring that the Board of Governors conducts itself in accordance with accepted standards of behaviour in public life, embracing selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. They must at all times regulate their personal conduct as members of the Board of Governors in accordance with these standards.
b) Governors must make a full and timely disclosure of personal interests to the University Secretary in accordance with the procedures approved by the Board of Governors. They must as soon as practicable disclose any interest which they have in any matter under discussion and accept the ruling of the Chair in relation to the management of that situation, in order that the integrity of the business of the Board of Governors and its Committees may be, and may be seen to be, maintained.
c) Since the University is an Exempt Charity, governors have a responsibility for ensuring that the Board of Governors exercises efficient and effective use of the resources of the University for the furtherance of its charitable purposes, maintains its long-term financial viability, and safeguards its assets, and that proper mechanisms exist to ensure financial control and for the prevention of fraud.
The Business of the University
a) Governors have a responsibility for ensuring that the Board of Governors exercises control over the strategic direction of the University, through an effective planning process, and that the performance of the University is adequately assessed against the objectives, which the Board of Governors has approved.
b) The University is regulated by the Office for Students (the “OfS”) and the Board of Governors is responsible for ensuring that the OfS Terms and Conditions of funding are met. The Financial Regulations of the University form part of the sound systems of financial and management control.
c) Governors should endeavour to establish constructive and supportive but challenging working relationships with the University’s senior managers, and must recognise the proper separation between governance and executive management, avoiding involvement in the day-to-day executive management of the University.
d) Governors are normally appointed by the Board of Governors to at least one of its committees and are expected to play a full part in the business of all Committees to which they are appointed. The University Secretary maintains a calendar of all meetings of governors and other key University events and this is circulated to all governors.
External Role
a) Governors may be asked to use personal influence and networking skills on behalf of the University to identify and secure opportunities that further the goals and interests of the University.
b) Governors may be asked to play a role in liaising between key stakeholders and the University, or in fund-raising. They will be fully briefed by the University to enable them to carry out this role effectively. However, this role in particular must be exercised in careful co-ordination with the senior staff of the University.
c) Governors may be asked to represent the Board of Governors and the University externally and will be fully briefed by the University to enable them to carry out this role effectively.
Personal Commitment
a) Governors must at all times act fairly and impartially in the interests of the University as a whole, using independent judgement and maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.
b) Governors are expected to have a strong personal commitment to education and the values, aims and objectives of the University.
c) Governors are expected to attend all meetings of the Board of Governors and of the Committees of which they are a member, or give timely apologies if absence is unavoidable. The likely formal time commitment required of Governors is 15 days per annum for attendance at meetings, consideration of meeting papers and other University activities.
d) The Board of Governors may rescind your membership of the Board of Governors if it is satisfied that you have not attended a Board of Governors meeting for a period of 12 months without the permission of the Board or that you are unable or unfit to discharge the functions of a Board member.
e) Governors are required to attend induction activities arranged by the University and should participate in appropriate training events, which will be drawn to their attention by the University Secretary. The University may also arrange particular training for governors who may be involved in specialist roles or undertake specific responsibilities on behalf of the Board of Governors. New governors may also participate in a mentorship programme, whereby they are twinned with a more experienced governor for guidance and advice.
f) Governors must participate in procedures established by the Board of Governors to gauge its effectiveness and performance.
g) Membership of the Board of Governors is not remunerated, but Governors can reclaim travel and subsistence at University rates if they wish. Governors’ liability insurance is in place.
h) Governors may resign at any time by notice in writing to the University Secretary.