Independent Members of the Board of Governors
Candidate Information Pack
November 2020
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About Us
Our purpose is to be a leading UK university in the fields of creativity, culture, enterprise and education. Through inspirational teaching and research, we give students the skills and knowledge to transform their lives. Based in a world heritage city and connected to a network of local, regional, national and international partners, we allow our students to turn their passion into a profession, helping them make their way in the world, in the manner they choose.
The University builds on a proud heritage, having local roots going back over 160 years ago, when the Bath School of Art was founded in the city. Our campuses include Newton Park (near Bath), Sion Hill in Bath, Corsham Court in Wiltshire (home to our graduate college). In September 2019, the University opened a superb new campus - Locksbrook campus - on the River Avon in Bath, on Locksbrook Road, in the former UK manufacturing base of international furniture company, Herman Miller – a grade 1 listed building.
Bath Spa University is where creative minds meet: we teach and research across art, sciences, education, social science and business. The University consists of around 7,500 students, including around 1,000 postgraduates. There are approximately 900 staff: the University is a major local employer. Around 8 per cent of students are from outside the UK, while a significant number come from the West of England region itself.
The University has invested significantly in its infrastructure over the past 5 years; in 2015 it opened outstanding new student residential accommodation and the ‘Commons’ teaching building at the Newton Park campus. The University also operates its own accommodation complex in the centre of Bath, at Green Park, and at the end of 2018 opened a new rehearsal and theatre production study space in the city, significantly upgrading the facilities for music and performing arts.
The University has recently launched Strategy 2030, setting out agreed goals and a direction of travel for the institution over the next decade: this aims to root the University within its region, while at the same time building on its research expertise, and its distinctive offer to students, who remain at the heart of everything we do.
The University has an annual income of around £80m, and its annual reports and financial statements are published here: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/about-us/governance/financial- governance/
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Governance at Bath Spa
Bath Spa University was incorporated as a University in 2005 and is governed by a Board of Governors, led by the Chair. The Board of Governors is the supreme governing body of the University and has responsibility for the exercise of the University’s powers. Its functions include oversight of the conduct of the affairs of the University and determination of its character and mission.
The Chair is Terence Jagger, appointed in November 2016, and the Vice-Chancellor is Professor Sue Rigby, who took up her post in January 2018. The Board currently meets five times per year, in addition to an annual away day, and conducts much of its technical business through four standing committees covering finance and infrastructure; audit; remuneration; and nominations. All governors are normally expected to sit on at least one sub-committee according to their field of expertise. Fuller details on governance at the University can be found at: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/about-us/governance/
The Board currently has fifteen members drawn from a range of backgrounds, with biographies available at: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/about-us/governance/board-of-governors/
Further information about the University can be found on our website, https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/
Our needs
We are seeking two additional Governors (Board members) with an interest and insight into the issues facing higher education. The Governors will bring a thoughtful and mature contribution to Board meetings, and be principled yet innovative. A willingness to be challenging but constructive and a strong strategic focus are essential for these roles.
We would particularly welcome applications from candidates who possess either of the following:
A deep knowledge and understanding of academia, likely to have been gained from recent experience as an academic at senior management level.
Skills, knowledge and lived experience that would directly enhance the equality, diversity and inclusion work of the Board and the University.
All Governors would be expected to have some familiarity with the main principles of corporate governance. The role is likely to require a minimum time commitment of around twelve days each year. Governors are normally appointed for a term of 3 years, which is renewable. Governors are
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unremunerated for their roles, although reasonable expenses will be paid.
We provide a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting all individuals' differences. We would particularly welcome applications by candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, candidates identifying with all genders and disabled candidates.
Role Profile
Members of the Board of Governors
Governors are the members of the Bath Spa University Higher Education Corporation and the trustees of the University as a charity. As such, they are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with the accepted standards of public life as set out in the Nolan Principles, and to ensure that the University’s strategy, performance and use of resources are appropriately directed towards furthering its charitable purposes.
Fit and proper persons
Governors must meet the requirements laid down by the Office for Students in the regulatory framework for higher education in England and be fit and proper persons to hold office. A fit and proper person is defined as a person that:
is of good character has the qualifications, competence, skills and experience that are necessary for their role is able by reason of their health, after reasonable adjustments are made, to properly perform the tasks of the office or position for which they are appointed has not been responsible for, been privy to, contributed to, or facilitated any serious misconduct or mismanagement (whether unlawful or not) in their employment or in the conduct of any entity with which they are or have been associated
Individually, Governors must
act fairly and impartially in the interests of the University as a whole, without reference to any particular constituency or interest group respect the confidentiality of the Board at all times play a full, regular and constructive part in the work of the Board, participating in induction and development events and any performance review as established by the Board read the papers, challenge and support the executive, and contribute effectively to
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debate on strategic issues disclose any personal interests in a full and timely manner, to maintain the integrity of the business of the Board represent the Board and the University externally when required and at all times act as supporters and ambassadors for the University in the wider world take time to engage with and understand the work of the University and support its activities through attendance at major functions and events
Knowledge, experience and qualities expected of Governors
Candidates for appointment to the Board will be expected to have a range of the following kinds of skills, experience and personal qualities:
a strong personal commitment to higher education as a public good an understanding and sympathy with the concept of public service a high level of personal integrity a specific commitment to the values, aims and objectives of the University the energy and interest to engage fully with the work of the University previous experience of non-executive board membership or trusteeship of a charity a national or significant regional profile in their own field experience of leadership and management in large, diverse and complex institutions
How to Apply
To apply please send a cover letter of no more than 2 pages setting out your suitability and interest in the role along with your CV to the University Secretary, David Newman, via email to [email protected] no later than 6th December 2020. Please include ‘Governor Application’ in the email subject heading.
Should you wish to have an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Jane Conibere ([email protected]) to arrange a time to speak with the University Secretary.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend for interview, which will be held remotely on 17th December 2020.
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