The University’s Board of Governors is responsible for determining the educational character and mission of the University, for oversight of its activities and for the efficient use of resources, as set out in the University’s Article of Government. It appoints external auditors, safeguards the University’s assets and approves the annual estimates of income and expenditure.

Members of the Board of Governors are:

• Alan Benzie (Chairman)
• Richard Bide
• Graham Brady MP
• Professor John Brooks
• Peter Budd
• Alex Connock
• Graham Dawber
• Norman Harrison
• Katrina Michel
• Bhupendra Mistry
• Geoff Muirhead
• Liz Taylor
• Joëlle Warren

Co-opted Members

• Delroy Creary
• Dominique Lauterburg
• Dame Janet Finch
• Wendy Wright

Academic Board Nominee

• Sue Shaw

Student Nominees

• Rob Boardman
• Leanne Cardill

Composition and Membership

The University's Instrument of Government sets out requirements for the composition of the Board. Apart from the Vice-Chancellor, there are three categories of governor - independent, co-opted and nominee members. Half of the governors are required to be independent members and the Instrument of Government stipulates that they must have experience in industry, commerce, the professions or employment matters. The composition of the Board, determined by the Board in accordance with paragraph 4 of the Instrument is as follows:

• Independent Members - 13
• Academic Board Nominee - 1
• Student Nominees - 2
• Co-opted Members - 5
• Vice-Chancellor - 1

An employee or a full-time student of MMU or an elected member of any local authority is not allowed to be an independent governor but can be appointed as a co-opted member. Currently two members are elected for co-option to the Board by the teaching staff and non-teaching staff respectively and at least one member in this category must have experience in the provision of education. The nominee members are a member of teaching staff and two students, proposed by the Academic Board and the Students' Union respectively.

The Chairman and Deputy Chairman are elected by the Board at the last meeting in the financial year to hold office for a period of three years. Governors, other than the Vice-Chancellor, are appointed for a three-year term of office and may serve for up to three terms.

The Board of Governors meets once in each term and an additional meeting to consider strategic issues is held early in the Autumn Term.

A report of the Board's meetings - From the Board Room - is published shortly after each meeting.

Committee Structure

The Board has established a number of committees and advisory groups to ensure effective and efficient conduct of its business:

• Audit Committee
• Estates and Services Advisory Group
• Finance and Human Resources Committee
• Marketing and Student Experience Advisory Group
• Nominations, Governance and Remuneration Committee

The committees are permitted to decide some matters on behalf of the Board and on other matters their advice is sought by the Board before decisions are reached. All members of the Board serve on at least one of the above committees and/or advisory groups. The Chairman of each committee is appointed by the Board. The Committee structure and membership of each of the Committees and Advisory Groups is available. Meetings of the Committees are held once per term before meetings of the Board of Governors. Dates of meetings are available for 2010.

Clerk to the Board

The governors are responsible for appointing a Clerk to act as secretary to the Board. The post is currently held by Gwyn Arnold.

The Clerk services the Board and its committees, drafts and edits reports and pursues matters requiring action. She ensures that business is properly conducted both during and outside meetings, and overseas arrangements for the appointment of governors. The Clerk plays a key role in providing relevant advice to the Board, its Chairman and the Chairmen of the Board's committees, as well as to individual governors.