Advertised from 13 August 2025

Role

The Trustees are ultimately responsible, individually and collectively, for all activity within Strathclyde Students’ Union. The Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the vision and values of the organisation and for ensuring the delivery of organisational purpose. The Trustees ensure the development of, and agree, a long-term strategy and approve and monitor plans to deliver the strategy.

Our external trustees are appointed on the basis of the skills and qualities they bring to the Union through applying their experience of other organisations and their professional expertise.

Expectations and commitment

Strath Union is looking for diversity of thought, experience and background to ensure that we complement the existing skills of our board members.

We ask board members to be prepared to dedicate approximately 1 day per month to their role as a trustee and this would constitute up to 5 board meetings per annum (including at least one away day). Board meetings typically last 3 hours. There are sub-committees of the board, including Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. In addition, there may be short-life working groups and other ad-hoc elements where trustees can be involved, including

playing an ambassadorial role and attending functions and events in their capacity as a trustee.

The term for an external trustee is 4 years and external trustees can serve up to two terms.

The role of a Board member is voluntary and unpaid other than reimbursement of approved travel costs or associated expenses.

The Union is looking for a range of skills to be provided by the external trustees. These will include:

- Strategic leadership and governance

- Financial management, risk controls and business continuity

- IT/digital

- Previous experience as a Trustee or other non-executive role

We want our Board to reflect the community we support. To enhance the diversity of our Board we would particularly like to hear from women and those identifying as women, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and those with diverse sexualities or marginalised gender identities.

Application notes

A Recruitment Pack can be downloaded below for full details.

Closing date for applications is Friday 29th August 2025 at 5pm. To apply for this role, please send your CV and covering letter stating your motivation for applying and the skills and qualities you will bring to the role to Katie Bharaj, Executive Assistant, katie.bharaj@strath.ac.uk.

Short-listed candidates will be invited to interview on 4th September (time TBC)

The successful candidate should be able to attend the Trustee Induction on 9th September (time TBC) and the next Strath Union Board meeting on 6th October 2025 at 2pm.

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