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Help us to build for the future while navigating the challenges of today

Queen Mary Students’ Union is seeking to recruit External Trustees to join its Board of Trustees

We live in challenging times - cost of living increases mean many students are balancing work and study, higher education funding is under pressure, major domestic and international events increasingly concern, or directly impact upon our students. The Students’ Union plays a vital role in helping and supporting our diverse student membership and their elected representatives to navigate these challenges.

Queen Mary Students’ Union (QMSU) represents the interests of over 31,000 students drawn from over 170 nationalities (approximately 43 per cent from overseas) at Queen Mary University of London. Queen Mary is a Russell Group university and describes itself as ‘a leading research-intensive university with a difference’.

Of our domestic undergraduate students, 91 per cent are from state schools, 77 per cent are BAME, and 46 per cent are the first in their families to enter into higher education. Queen Mary has the best record of all the Russell Group universities in England for recruiting undergraduate students from state schools and from lower-income families. The Students’ Union provides social, cultural, recreational, and sporting opportunities for our students, helping them to develop the skills they need to succeed in life after university.

The Students’ Union is a registered charity and is overseen by a Board of Trustees. It has overall responsibility for the management and administration of the Students’ Union, including its governance, budget and strategy. In its last accounting year, the Students’ Union had a turnover of over £7.8m (including our wholly owned trading subsidiary, Queen Mary Students’ Union Services Ltd).

The Board of Trustees is made up of six elected Officer Trustees, six elected Student Trustees, and six External Trustees. Day-to-day management of the operation and administration of the Students’ Union is delegated by the Trustees to the Chief Executive Officer.

We are currently seeking to appoint three additional External Trustees. We will provide full training and support on the role and responsibilities of a Trustee and the work of a Students’ Union. As a Trustee, you will contribute the benefit of your experience, enthusiasm, and a willingness to both challenge and support us in our work. These are voluntary positions, but reasonable expenses will be paid.

Whether you have never considered being a Trustee before, or whether you have already served in this role, we would like to hear from you, particularly if you have experience in any of the following areas: wellbeing, welfare and support; equality, equity, diversity and inclusion; or business, finance and risk, and would like to use it to help us to build for the future. However, these are not essential - we will consider all applications based upon what you feel you can bring to the role.

Bath Area Play Project are passionate about every child's right to play and enabling children to thrive. We are looking for a Chair of our small Trustee Board to support our vision and ethos, enabling the continuation of our support services for children and families, leading strategic oversight and ensuring we are resilient for change.

Our volunteer Trustees meet early evening, every 6 - 8 weeks, alternating in person in Bath and online. They are responsible for ensuring we are compliant with operational management delegated to the Director and other staff, allowing them to focus on governance and strategic decision making. Trustees support the staff to be the most effective they can be in their various roles through good knowledge and understanding of regulatory and legal frameworks.

Perhaps you have or are involved at a senior level in a Charity, have skills such as Marketing, Business or Early Years which can be used to help BAPP develop services for children and families.

BAPP provide a range of services including an Ofsted registered Nursery & Pre-school, Ofsted registered Holiday Playschemes for disabled children and those with additional needs, Children & Family Support, Alternative Provision for children with SEND and our long standing Community based Family Playdays. More information is available on our website  

As we work with vulnerable children, Trustees are required to have an Enhanced DBS and to register as one of our Trustees as part of our Ofsted registration. There are 8 Trustee Meetings each year, alternating in person in Bath and online which includes our AGM. Other commitments in addition can include attending events, representing BAPP, supporting with recruitment/staffing and policy review. 

For further information or if you have any questions, please get in touch.