It’s your time to make an impact · transforming lives. We pride ourselves on recruiting students from diverse backgrounds and enabling them to shape their learning experience to

It’s your time to make an impact

Appointment to the Board of Governors at Staffordshire University

Thank you for taking an interest in applying to join Staffordshire University. This is an exciting time for us: changes across the sector will radically alter the landscape of higher education over the next few years and there is no more important, or influential, time to be a University Governor.

We are an anchor institution, playing a crucial role in the wealth, health and social prospects of people across the region. 66% of our students come from the local area and we play a key role in improving their life chances, broadening their horizons and preparing them for the world of work.

In 2017 we were pleased to be recognised with a Silver Teaching Excellence Framework rating and are focussed on achieving Gold status as part of our Strategic Plan.

In the last five years the University’s Board has spent some £100 million improving our estates. We are proud of the end result; that expenditure now provides for students and staff our Stoke-on-Trent city campus and Centres of Health Sciences Excellence at Stafford and Shrewsbury. Early this year we secured one of the largest


grants ever awarded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England to build a £17m Apprenticeships Hub which will train our students for the highly skilled, technical jobs of the future

We have recently restructured our Board of Governors and considered carefully the skills, knowledge and experience we need to reflect the diverse communities we serve and to drive the University forwards. I look forward to receiving your application to join our dynamic and ambitious Board.

David Gage MBE, DL, ACIBPro Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors

Welcome from the Chair

Appointment to the Board of Governors at Staffordshire University2

Universities are about enhancing life choices and transforming lives. We pride ourselves on recruiting students from diverse backgrounds and enabling them to shape their learning experience to suit their lifestyles and aspirations. We encourage our students to dare to be different, to aim to achieve great things and support them through their journey providing an excellent learning experience.

Staffordshire University is in the midst of exciting times. In a landscape of seismic change in Higher Education, we have a new strategy and have reshaped the way we work, ensuring that we are fit for the future and able to seize emerging opportunities and deal with any challenges. This has engendered an optimism and energy amongst our staff and students, who are playing a central role in shaping our future.

I joined the University in 2016 and this is a great place to work. One of our values is to be ‘brilliant and friendly’ and that is what our staff and students are. The Students’ Union has driven our value of ‘Proud to be Staffs’ and this sets the tone for how we work at Staffordshire University.

We recognise that we still have work to do but we are pleased that we have already seen a step change. In 2017,


our NSS outcome in overall student satisfaction was 85%, one per cent above the sector average. Recently the University was rated number 1 in the UK for graduate employability (relating to English universities, joint with Bishop Grosseteste and excluding specialist institutions) for students in employment or further study, as measured by the Destination of Leavers in Higher Education (DLHE) Survey. In 2017, we were the joint highest riser in the Sunday Times Good University Guide, rising 29 places to 63rd, and in June, we were pleased to receive silver status in the TEF.

We pride ourselves on our work with a wide range of partners. We are a university that is both of and for our city and region, maximising the impact of our presence in Stoke and Staffordshire. With our focus on applied learning and research, we work with partners in industry and business across all of our activities.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this opportunity and I hope that you will be sufficiently inspired to submit an application to join our Board.

Professor Liz BarnesVice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

Welcome from the Vice-Chancellor

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THE CONNECTED UNIVE RSITY

WE ARE THE CONNECTED UNIVERSITY DEDICATE D TO YOUR SUCCESS

PUTTING OUR STUDENTS FIRSTConnecting CommunitiesInspirational environments bringing communities together

• We are the intellectual hub for the communities we serve• We contribute to the social and economic development of our local and regional community• Connecting us as a leading digital University.

Innovative and Applied LearningResearch and teaching that is integrated and applied delivering real world learning in a global context

• Connected curriculum giving our students the edge to succeed

• Research and scholarship generating new knowledge for application and impact

• Digitally led.

Talented PeopleWe are creative, innovative and inclusive, empowering our people to be the very best

• Transforming lives regionally, nationally, globally• Building social capital though our connections• Embracing success.

BE AMBITIOUS AND INSPIRATIONAL

BE BRILLIANT AND FRIENDLY

BE CURIOUS AND DARING

BE PROUD TO BE STAFFS

GREAT Student ExperienceGR

EAT Co

urses

and T

each

ing

GREAT Learning Environments

Our Vision

• We are the Connected University dedicated to your success

University Strategic Plan

The Staffordshire University Plan has been created for the next five-year period. Shown below is our ‘Strategic Plan on a page’.

The Strategic Plan is supported by three core strategies:• Connecting Communities• Innovative and Applied Learning• Talented People;

and four enabling strategies:• Finance• Human Resources• Information Technology• Estates.

Appointment to the Board of Governors at Staffordshire University4


Where you will take us

We have big ambitions, and our Governors are central to our success. By 2021 we will be:• In the top 50% in the UK League Tables• Gold standard in the Teaching Excellence Framework• Financially sustainable in accordance with our Medium Term Financial Plan

Alongside these key performance indicators we have a range of measures that ensure our progression in student experience, research income, numbers of international students and graduate level employment. We are also committed to working with schools and colleges across the region to raise aspirations and improve social mobility.

You can find out more at http://www.staffs.ac.uk/about/strategic-plan

Organisational structure

The Board of Governors is made up of:• Chair of Board of Governors• Independent Governors x9• Vice-Chancellor• Staff Representative x2• Student Representative x2

There are five sub-committees:• Audit and Risk• Strategy and Performance• Sustainability and Resources• Nominations and Governance• Remuneration

What you will do

Governors are fundamental to University business. You will be a decision maker, setting direction and deciding on proposals which will steer the University’s direction for years to come.

You will sit on the main Board and at least one sub-committee, and will spend around 10 days a year on Board business.

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Your impact

“I have a real feeling that we are collectively making a difference in a very positive manner, and that each of us brings a different perspective.”

John Henderson, CEO of Staffordshire County Council and Independent Governor

“It has been very rewarding to be part of an increasingly successful team and to lead one of Staffordshire’s major businesses, which not only has a material economic impact but a measurable social impact; and where, above all else, we develop the next generation of graduate-level employees and entrepreneurs.”

David Gage, Chair of the Board of Governors

“Being involved with the board has been fascinating and has definitely helped me develop in my current role.”

Glenn Earlam, CEO of David Lloyd Clubs and Independent Governor

“My recent involvement with NUS has really broadened my knowledge of governmental policy on education, and has allowed me to contribute in meetings more. As someone with a degree from this university, I really care about the institution’s future and it is wonderful to work with a variety of professionals from very different industry backgrounds, with the same common goal in mind.”

Sam Pillow, Vice-President of the Students’ Union and former Student Governor

“The opportunity to influence the direction of Staffordshire University and support it to develop its position as an anchor institution in a region where social mobility is crucial to its success has been incredibly rewarding. The role has offered me the opportunity to develop personally and professionally and to use my Higher Education background as an opportunity to support independent governors to better understand the sector and allowed me to better understand how the policy transitions in the sector have an impact on my role and the organisation more widely.“

Sarah Tudor, Director of Employer Partnerships and Staff Governor (Professional Support Staff Representative)

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How to apply

If you are ready to apply, please submit your CV, a short letter explaining what motivates you to apply and why you

would be suitable, and a completed Equality and Diversity Monitoring form to:

Ian Blachford, Clerk to the Board of Governors [email protected]

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EQUALITY, DIVERSION AND INCLUSION POLICY

The University’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy was formally approved by the Board of Governors’ Employment and Finance Committee at its meeting held on 13th November 2013.

CONFIDENTIAL – STATISTICAL MONITORING FORM

This form will only be used for monitoring purposes and will be treated as confidential by the Clerk to the Board of Governors. This information may also be disclosed to Higher Education Statistics Agency and other bodies for statistical monitoring but no individual will ever be identified.

1. PERSONAL DETAILS

Given names and preferred title

Date of birth Gender

2. ETHNICITY

Please check the category which you feel best describes your ethnic origin.

White Gypsy or Traveller Arab

Black/Black British Caribbean Black/Black British African Other Black background

Asian/Asian British Indian Asian/Asian British Pakistani Asian/Asian British Bangladeshi

Chinese Other Asian background Mixed – White & Black Caribbean

Mixed – White & Black African Mixed – White & Asian Other mixed background

Other ethnic background Not known Do not wish to declare

3. DISABILITY

Do you consider that you have a disability, as defined by the Equality Act 2010? (Please indicate yes or no)

Do you have an impairment, health condition or learning difference that has a substantial or long-term impact on your ability to

carry out day-to-day activities? (Please check all that apply)

Specific learning disability (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D)

Physical impairment or mobility issues (such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches)

General learning disability (such as Down’s Syndrome) Deaf or have a hearing impairment

Social/communication impairment such as Asperger’s Syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder

Mental health condition (such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder)

Long-standing illness or health condition (such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease or epilepsy)

Blind or have a visual impairment uncorrected by glasses

An impairment, health condition or learning difference that is not listed above (specify on a separate page if you wish)

Do not wish to declare

4. SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Please check the category which you feel best describes your sexual orientation.

Bisexual Heterosexual/straight

Gay man Other

Gay woman/lesbian Do not wish to declare

5. GENDER IDENTITY

Is your gender identity the same as the gender you were originally assigned at birth?

Yes No Do not wish to declare

6. RELIGION OR BELIEF

Do you regard yourself as belonging to any particular religion or belief system? If yes, which of the following (please check):

Buddhist Muslim

Christian Sikh

Hindu Any other religion or belief

Jewish No religion or belief

Spiritual Do not wish to declare

7. CARING RESPONSIBILITIES

Do you have any caring responsibilities? (check all that apply)

None Primary carer of a child or children (under 18 years)

Primary carer of a disabled child or children Primary carer or assistant for a disabled adult (18 years and over)

Primary carer or assistant for an older person (65 years and over)

Secondary carer (another person carries out main caring role)

Prefer not to say

8. DATA PROTECTION

Information provided will be retained by the Clerk to the Board of Governors on behalf of the Board. Information concerning your

gender, race, nationality, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief and caring responsibilities may be processed for the

purpose of statistical monitoring and disclosed to Higher Education Statistics Agency and other bodies for statistical monitoring but

no individual will ever be identified.

I give my consent to this information being used as indicated above:

Signed

Date

To help us monitor and improve how we promote our vacancies, please indicate how or where you heard about this role:

Documents

It’s your time to make an impact · transforming lives. We pride ourselves on recruiting students from diverse backgrounds and enabling them to shape their learning experience to