Governance and Charitable Status
On these pages you can find a range of information about Governance and our Board of Governors at Arts University Plymouth, England’s newest specialist arts University.
We’re proud to play our part in supporting a vibrant creative community of artists, designers and creative practitioners, serving an exciting city that acts as a hub for culture and creative arts in the region.
We volunteer to ensure that Arts University Plymouth gives every student the opportunity to have a fulfilling and enriching experience of Higher Education; our ambition is to enable students to fulfil their creative ambitions during the time they spend with us, for the benefit of their careers, their wellbeing and their success in life beyond University
The Arts University Plymouth Board of Governors are responsible for corporate governance, which includes the leadership, direction and control of our independent arts University, including our obligation to ensure staff and students work in a safe and secure environment. We support the work of the University by providing wider commercial, educational, community and regulatory experience. We work together to improve efficiency and effectiveness by building productive relationships across the University community, to pursue objectives that are in the interests of our community and particularly our students.
We relish opportunities to share in the creative life of the University through visits, shows and graduations, where it is always an inspiration to see the fabulous range of work on display. Governor vacancies arise from time to time and we welcome enquiries from anyone interested in making a contribution to the governance of this very special institution. To get in touch about a Governor vacancy or to contact any of the existing Governors, please email the Clerk to the Board - Liz Wiltshire-Meads at lwmeads@aup.ac.uk.
Dr Sue Brownlow
Chair of Board of Governors
The Board of Governors has a structure of five Committees to undertake strategic business control and monitoring:
Finance and Estates Committee
Audit Committee
Nominations and Governance Committee
Employment Committee
Remuneration Committee
Within each Committee or Working Group, specialist members (Independent Committee Members) join the Governors to provide professional advice and guidance. The meeting schedule ensures that the Committees and members of the Board are able to deliver their responsibilities and business in a timely manner, and to meet the requirements of external bodies.
The Board of Governors ensure that any public funds received are spent for the intended purposes and that value for money is obtained for students and staff. Risk management is an integral part of every decision made by the governing body. The Audit Committee monitors progress and advises the governing body regarding controls on risk management.
Governors are recruited taking into account equality and the diversity of our Board. In particular, the Nominations and Governance Committee considers an individual's skills and experience, to ensure that these fit with the mission, vision and objectives of Arts University Plymouth. High standards of ethical, personal and corporate conduct are expected from members, in accordance with the Standards in Public Life, commonly referred to as the ‘Nolan’ Principles.
Governors have adopted the Higher Education Code of Governance, covering core values around integrity, sustainability, inclusivity, excellence, innovation and growth, and community. Our Board of Governors adheres to the public interest governance principles, as set out by the Office for Students. Our Governors have adopted the Higher Education Remuneration Senior Staff Code and the Higher Education Audit Committees Code of Practice.
Corporate governance arrangements at Arts University Plymouth set and monitor the organisation’s strategy and objectives. The governing body aim is to give assurance and improve performance within the organisation by strategically focussing on clear and robust systems and control processes.
Legal name: Arts University Plymouth
Correspondence Address: Arts University Plymouth, Tavistock Place, Plymouth, PL4 8AT
Constitutional Documents:
Arts University Plymouth's Charitable Trust seeks new Trustees to join its small, but ambitious charity.
Due to a number of retirements we are seeking dynamic and skilled individuals who are passionate about supporting young people and the creative industries, to join our board of trustees. The trustees see this as an opportunity to reinvigorate the board in order to set an aspirational vision for its future.
The trustees have, to date, been responsible for the administration of gifted funds that enable them to offer bursaries and scholarships to students, and the wider community, in order to access and progress within the arts. The trustees would like to extend this work to support those most in need and to enable young people to have successful, sustainable careers within the creative industries. This will be made possible with a proactive approach to fundraising and project management.
In order to meet these ambitions, the charity is seeking expressions of interest from individuals who wish to have a positive influence in shaping opportunities for future, current and previous students. We are particularly interested to hear from individuals with skills in the following areas:
- Secretariat Services
- Fundraising and sponsorship
- Charity and arts management
- Youth Development
- Business and financial management
This opportunity is offered on a voluntary basis and trustees are asked to commit to attend four Trust meetings each year and to actively participate as a member of at least one of several sub-groups run by the Trust. In particular, the Trust is seeking a trustee to be officially designated as the “Secretary” to the Trust on the Charity Commissions’ register.
We celebrate equality, diversity and difference, and welcome candidates from all communities.
To register your interest, please send a covering letter explaining your interest in joining and the skills you bring, along with a copy of your CV to sarah.fysh@metoffice.gov.uk or ross.middleham@metoffice.gov.uk