My SU Our Values
Key Information For Applicants
Recruitment
Timetable
Application closes:
Shortlisting:
Notification of candidates for interview:
Interviews:
Appointments and induction:
3rd October 2024 at midday
3rd October 2024
4th October 2024
Week commencing 7th October 2024
11th October 2024
Additional Information
For further information on the Students’ Union (SU) and its work can be found on our website www.cardiffmetsu.co.uk .
You can also contact the Chair of the Board of Trustees and SU President, Dan Flaherty at dflaherty@cardiffmet.ac.uk , or the SU Chief Executive, Will Fuller at wfuller@cardiffmet.ac.uk to discuss the role further.
How to apply
To apply to join us as an Student Trustee, please send your covering letter setting out why you are interested and what you will bring to the role, to the Bev Bambrough, SU Policy & Procedure Advisor at bbambrough@cardiffmet.ac.uk , by 3rd October 2024.
Welcome from the Chair
Thank you for expressing an interest in becoming a Student Trustee at Cardiff Met SU. We take pride in our vision of delivering the best experience for every student at the SU.
Trustees play a critical role in ensuring that we focus on what is important to students, that we are well governed, and that we remain relevant, engaged and accessible to all students.
We have been working hard to develop a strategic plan to enable us to focus on what students want and what they need to succeed, in the ever-changing education landscape. With our strategic plan in development, we will concentrate on a wide range of issues that impact students and the education they receive. This will allow us to identify where our focus should be, and how to best utilise our resources.
The last 12 months have profoundly impacted the way we work as an organisation. It has seen us concentrate on the educational priorities of our students. As we enter the
Dan Flaherty
SU President and Chair of the Trustee Board 24/25
2024/25 academic year we will be working with a clearer vision of our priorities and will need a strong Board of Trustees to ensure that we deliver against our objectives, to provide challenge, and to help steer us through changes yet to come.
As a charity, Cardiff Met SU is required to comply with Charity Law and work within the scope set out by the Charity Commission. As a membership organisation, must remain responsive to its members. As a trading organisation, we must ensure that our finances are stable, we remain ethical in our practices and aspire to be an employer of choice.
This really is a great opportunity to make a difference and shape the SU for the future. The pack is designed to give you a taste of what to expect from the role, and as President, I hope it inspires you to take the step and apply.
If you have questions or would like an informal conversation before applying, please feel free to reach out dflaherty@cardiffmet.ac.uk .
What is a Trustee & Why do we need them?
Cardiff Met SU is a charity and is overseen by a governing body called the board of trustees. As Student Trustees you have the responsibility for the Unions management, administration and most importantly the governance of the SU, this is how the SU is structured, budgets and strategy.
Becoming a Trustee is a rewarding experience. Trustees are provided with training but are expected to be aware of the governing acts in accordance with charity law, holding office as a Student Trustee makes you personally responsible for ensuring the Students’ Union in all its actions are lawful and not financially reckless. It is a great way to contribute to areas of interest, to offer strategic direction
and leadership, to scrutinise and challenge the SU, to challenge itself, to be a better place to support students. Expert skills and guidance from outside of the Students’ Union sector come from our Lay Trustees, providing a diverse mix of skills and sector experiences, and backgrounds is important to developing a successful high performing board.
Whilst the SU is a democratic charity, decisions affecting the legality of the SU actions in matters relating to staffing, and financial matters are enacted by the Board of Trustees. It is clearly important that current student voices are represented on the board, but equally important that the Board has access to experience and knowledge via its external Lay Trustees, who are there to offer support and guidance whilst you develop your confidence, skills and knowledge.
About Cardiff Met SU
This is an exciting time to become a trustee with Cardiff Met SU having undertaken a Governance and Democracy review and we are currently building a new strategy for the organisation.
Over the next two years the board will see the report implemented, with guidance and leadership from the Board to drive these changes.
The SU provides services for students in line with its charitable objectives. Representing the views of over 12,000 students at Cardiff Metropolitan University, across two academic sites in Cardiff. The SU plays a key role in student life offering social, cultural, recreational, and sporting opportunities for students across both campuses. Enabling students to form communities and support networks to keep them on track during their studies. Helping to develop social skills needed to succeed in what will be life after university, through volunteering opportunities.
Futura Marketing & Promotions Limited
Trustees are also responsible for the SU’s trading subsidiary, Futura Marketing and Promotions Limited. The subsidiary operates independently from the charity but is wholly owned by it and exists to generate income through business activity which do not align with the charitable objectives of the SU.
Governance
Under the Articles, the Board of Trustees is responsible for the management and administration of the Union, including its governance, budget, and strategy. The Board has power to overrule any decision or policy of the members, where it is considered, there are financial implications, a breach of legal requirements, a contravention of the Union’s aims and objects, or the carrying out of the Board’s responsibilities are affected. Trustees are appointed for a maximum period of three years, with the opportunity to be reappointed for a further three-year term.
The Trustees have power to delegate their functions to committees or individuals.
Day-to-day management of the operation and administration of the SU is delegated by the Trustees to the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive reports to Trustees at each Board of Trustees’ meeting, and as necessary between meetings, and to the Committees of the Board.
The Board of Trustees meets four times per year, and up to four meetings per subcommittee. Meetings are held both on Cyncoed and Llandaff campuses, or remotely via Teams. There will be opportunities for you to network outside of meetings with fellow Trustees, alongside key events to support students. Successful candidates will receive ongoing support and appropriate training in their role.
The current sub-committees.
• Finance and Renumeration Committee
• Policy, Procedure & Participation Committee
• People and Culture Committee
• Audit and Risk Committee
• Appointments Committee
Our Board of Trustees is made up of four Lay Trustees providing expert knowledge and guidance, a President and Vice-President, and two appointed Student Trustees, this ensures we have the voice of students at the heart of decision making.
To ensure that the SU remains student led, elections take place annually for the roles of the President and Vice President. In addition, the two appointed Student Trustees are appointed for a two-year period, however, to remain a student trustee you will need to be enrolled as a student at Cardiff Met University for the duration of your term of appointment. One Student Trustees will be appointed from the Cyncoed campus and one from the Llandaff campus.
The role of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the SU’s governing body. It has overall responsibility for the management and the administration of the Students’ Union, including its governance, budget, and strategy. Made up of 2 elected Officers’ trustees, 2 Student Trustees and 4 External Trustees. As the SU is an incorporated charity, Trustees are also appointed as company directors.
Collective responsibilities of all Trustees:
To ensure that the SU works to fulfil its charitable purpose, and that it acts within its constitution.
To ensure the SU complies with charity law, company law, and other applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, and best practice.
To comply with the provisions of the SU’s Articles of Association, and to always act in the best interests of the Union.
To ensure the financial stability of the SU, and that its resources are properly managed and only used for the purposes for which they are intended.
To ensure that effective strategic planning is in place, that appropriate goals and targets are set, and effective processes for monitoring and evaluating performance are in place.
To ensure that effective governance policies and procedures are in place in relation to the SU’s activities.
To ensure that effective controls are in place to identify and manage risks.
To actively contribute to the work and decisions of the Board.
To support and constructively challenge the Chief Executive.
To uphold the aims and values of the SU and to protect its name and reputation.
To adhere to the Nolan Committee’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership. •
Reward & Development
The roles are voluntary, and you will be representing the campus you primarily study on, either Cyncoed or Llandaff. We will provide the support you need to be an effective Trustee; this will include an induction to the SU and your role as a Student Trustee. We will reimburse all reasonable expenses.
If this is your first-time considering volunteering or you are a returning student, this could be the volunteer role for you. This is an excellent opportunity to develop skills and experience, as well as supporting the work of the SU and the 12,000 students we represent.
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Student Trustee Person Specification
This is a great time to be considering the opportunity to be part of the SU. Over the past two years we have challenged ourselves to meet the diverse needs of our membership. In your role as Student Trustee, you will be working collaboratively with the entire board, with our management team guiding and challenging the SU to be the best version of ourselves. If you are ready to take that step and volunteer, if you are passionate, driven and ready to contribute, and above all ready for a challenge in shaping the SU for the future, we want to hear from you!
Essential Desirable
Eligible to be a charity trustee and company director as defined in law
(link provided for information below)
Currently a student at the University of Cardiff Met at time of application and for the duration of the role
An interest in the effective governance of organisations (public, private or voluntary sector)
An interest in business, strategy, human resource management, finance, legal affairs or governance
Able to analyse data, think critically and form conclusions- Essential Excellent communication skills
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Interest in learning about working to a strategy and evaluating performance against that strategy
An understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of being a charity trustee and company director
Time Commitment
The Board meets at least four times each year, usually in the early evening, and additional Board meetings may be convened as necessary. Board members will also need to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and may also be asked to sit on additional committees as the Board moves forward in developing its structures to support good decision making. You will also need to have time to prepare for meetings by reading papers to ensure that matters are dealt with in a timely fashion between meetings of the Board.
Statutory Restrictions
Being a Trustee is an important role and some people are disqualified by law from acting as a charity trustee.
Those who are under 18 years of age.
Those who are disqualified as accompany director.
Those who have an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception (such as fraud).
Those who are undischarged bankrupt (or subject to sequestration in Scotland) or have a current composition or arrangement including an individual voluntary agreement with creditors.
Those who have been removed as a trustee of any charity by the commission (or the court) because of misconduct or mismanagement. Further restrictions came into being in August 2018, these include disqualification if you are on the sex offenders register, unspent convictions for a wider range of offences, which include bribery and money laundering, or for disobeying and instruction of the commission. •
As part of the application and appointments process, you will be asked to sign a declaration that you are legally entitled to become a trustee, and we will also ask for two references.
Valuing Diversity
As an organisation responsible for representing the interests of a diverse body of students, we fully encourage applicants from all demographics and backgrounds so that our Board is as diverse as the students we represent.
We are committed to establishing a positive working environment for all, that is fair, equitable and free of discriminatory practice. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, sexual orientation, sex, religion or belief, age, gender or disability, pregnancy and maternity, and marriage and civil partnership.
Support
We recognise this may be your first role as a Trustee, or you may be an experienced Trustee. Regardless of your experience we provide a full training and induction for new Board members.
Renumeration
Charity Trustees may not be paid for their work as a trustee. However, trustees can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred to undertake the role as trustee, in line with the SU expenses policy.
Cardiff Met SU is limited by guarantee. Successful appointed trustees will be covered by liability insurance for the duration of the term of office.
Recruitment Timetable
Application closes:
Shortlisting:
Notification of candidates for interview:
Interviews:
Appointments and induction:
Useful Links
www.cardiffmetsu.co.uk
www.gov.uk Charity Commission
3rd October 2024 at midday
3rd October 2024
4th October 2024
Week commencing 7th October 2024
11th October 2024
Cardiff Met SU Memorandum and Articles of Association
Cardiff Met SU Constitution
Cardiff Met SU Governance and Democracy Review
How To Apply
To apply to join us as a Student Trustee, please tells us what would make you a good Trustee, outlining what you would bring to the role and how you meet the person specification, this should be no more than two sides of A4.
Our Student Trustees are appointed for a period of 2 years, and you must be eligible to hold a Trustee position. Interviews will take place week commencing 7th October 2024 and we will consider interviews via Teams for those students who are not currently on campus. You must be enrolled as a student at Cardiff Metropolitan University to be eligible to apply.
Please send completed applications to Bev Bambrough bbambrough@ cardiffmet.ac.uk by no later than 12:00 on the 3rd of October 2024.
