Our Trustees

As a registered charity, we have a Board of Trustees to oversee key decision making which relates to our future. Find out who they are and what they do.

Board of Trustees

As a registered charity, we have a Board of Trustees to oversee key decision-making related to our future. Trustees volunteer their time to ensure sound financial decisions, legal compliance, and responsiveness to student needs.

Trustees of Keele SU (2024/25):

  • Tom Robinson - Officer Trustee
  • Zoe Garnett - Officer Trustee
  • Sophie Borman - Officer Trustee
  • Matt Kemp - Officer Trustee
  • Abdelrhman Rayis - Student Trustee
  • Vacant - Student Trustee
  • Georgia Souter - Student Trustee
  • Andrew Harris - External Trustee
  • Val Newman - External Trustee
  • Marilyn Andrews - External Trustee
  • Simon Rutter - External Trustee

Their responsibility is to ensure our mission and vision reflect the wishes of the members (you!). They manage and administer the Students' Union through the Union Directors.

Student Trustees attend board meetings, ensuring good governance and financial stability, and contribute to the overall strategy. They hold senior staff accountable and set staffing and financial policies.

Full training is provided for this role, suitable for those keen to scrutinize union operations and influence its management.

Key Responsibilities of Trustees

  • Act in the best interests of Keele SU.
  • Ensure compliance with governing documents, laws, and regulations.
  • Maintain high standards of governance.
  • Safeguard Keele SU's assets.
  • Collaborate with other Trustees and senior staff to ensure clear vision, mission, and strategic direction.
  • Implement mechanisms to:
    1. Listen to current and future members.
    2. Ensure student views are central to university actions.
    3. Evidence Keele SU's impact on the student body.
    4. Review external changes affecting Keele SU.
    5. Reassess Keele SU's services against strategic plans and objectives.

Other Duties

  • Use specific skills, knowledge, or experience to aid Board decisions.

Meetings

  • Trustee Board: Meets 4 times a year for 2-3 hours, with additional extraordinary meetings as needed.
  • Sub Committees:
    • Finance, HR, and Compliance: Scrutinizes budgets, accounts, HR policies, and compliance. Requires at least one Student Trustee.
    • Student Engagement: Reviews student engagement, democracy, activities, and communication. Requires at least one Student Trustee.

Trustee Documents

Trustee Board Sub-Committee (Finance, HR & Compliance)

Trustee Board Sub-Committee (Student Engagement)

The Essential Trustee: What you need to know, what you need to do

Board Dates & Cycle of Business - 2023-2024

Board Dates & Cycle of Business - 2024-2025