External Trustee

External
Trustee

recruitment pack

@solentsu

welcome
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Dear candidate,

Thank you for your interest in becoming an External Trustee at Solent Students’
Union. We’re currently in an exciting period of transformation, with a new Chief
Executive, a refreshed team structure, and the start of a new strategic year —
making this a particularly inspiring time to get involved.

Our Board of Trustees plays a vital role in guiding the Students’ Union, ensuring
we deliver the very best for our members while meeting our statutory
responsibilities. As an External Trustee, you would work closely with our full-time
Sabbatical Officers and Student Trustees, contributing your skills and experience
to strengthen the Board and support the Chief Executive.

External Trustees provide valuable continuity, insight, and expertise. Most
importantly, they help create an environment where our student trustees feel
empowered to champion the student voice at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for someone with a genuine enthusiasm for helping to shape a
strong, high-performing organisation that truly serves its members.

We are proud to have a team that reflects a range of backgrounds and
experiences, and we are committed to continuing to grow in diversity and
inclusion. We never want anyone to feel that this opportunity isn’t for them. If
you’re considering applying, please don’t let self-doubt hold you back.

We know that imposter syndrome is real. It can make you question whether
you’re “good enough” or whether your achievements truly count. We want to
reassure you — they do. If this role interests you and you feel you could
contribute, we strongly encourage you to apply.

If you would like to have an informal conversation or ask any questions before
applying, you are very welcome to reach out to our Chief Executive Josh Whale
(Joshua.whale@solent.ac.uk). He would be happy to chat.

In the following pages, you’ll find more information about Solent Students’ Union
and Southampton Solent University, our values, the role description, and details
on how to apply.

We genuinely hope you’ll consider joining us in shaping an outstanding
experience for all students at Southampton Solent University. If you’re interested
— please do apply. We very much look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Joshua Whale
Chief Executive Officer

About Solent Students’ Union

Solent Students’ Union is proud to say we are run by students, for students.
We are here to help all Southampton Solent students have the best
possible time while at university.

We are here to improve students’ education, make campus life fun, look
after their wellbeing, make them more employable for after university, and
ultimately empower them to change the world around them.

Our students are at the heart of everything we do and our two Sabbatical
Officers, who are elected annually, represent the voice for over 6500
students at Southampton Solent University. They are the face of the Union,
with a reliable and innovative team working behind the scenes to support
them during their time in office, as well as the wider SU.

Although we are a small team, don’t let that fool you. The work we do is
BIG – from hosting large scale events to working with leading organisations
in the area to solve issues that impact our students. We are full of
outstanding staff, volunteers, elected officers and trustees, who hold
specialist skills and experiences that help our students to grow and flourish
during their time with us.

We also offer a wide range of opportunities, services, and support to help
students get the most out of their time at university, such as our in-house
and invaluable Academic Advice Service (which is completely free and
independent from the university), events, volunteering, societies, the SU
Exchange, course and school reps, vehicle hire and much more!

To be current and up-to-date, Solent SU needs to be constantly listening,
learning, evolving and being accountable. Equality, diversity, and inclusivity,
as well as sustainability, are extremely important to us and will be the
driving force behind our strategic planning.

We are also a registered charity, which means that any money we generate
from our SU shop, advertisements or events is reinvested straight back into
our Students’ Union to improve the student journey.

our values:

INCLUSIVE

We want you to feel valued and that
you belong.

PASSIONATE

We care deeply about people,
our community and what we do.

PROGRESSIVE

We build on strengths,
encourage new ideas and
challenge boundaries of thinking.

TRUST

We trust and establish trust by being open, honest
and accountable in everything we do.

BALANCE

We embrace a balanced life which leads to
good health and greater chances of success.

the board of trustees

being a trustee

About Southampton Solent
University

Southampton Solent University is all about creating opportunities: for its
students, for its staff, for its partners. It offers expertise and experiences you
couldn’t get anywhere else, opening doors and making connections.

Offering a range of 140 different courses to almost 6500 students, including
undergraduate, postgraduate and apprenticeships, there is something for
everyone at Southampton Solent University.

More than anything else, they are staying focused on their key purpose
– developing grounded and enterprising students who, whatever their
background, leave the university with the skills and confidence employers are
looking for.

While we work closely with departments from all across the university, we
are a separate organisation. This is important for several reasons, but mainly
it means that if students have an academic problem while studying, they can
come and talk to us, the Students’ Union. They can do this in the confidence
that we can take up the issue with the university and help to resolve it.

the board of trustees

The Board of Trustees has oversight of the educational character and mission
of the Students’ Union with specific responsibilities for financial probity and
the effective use of resources. As the Students’ Union has charitable status,
Trustees of the charity must ensure that we meet our charitable objectives
and continues to deliver value.

The Board comprises Lay, Sabbatical, and Student Trustees, all of whom have
equal status. Trustees are appointed based on their skills, knowledge, and
experience and how well they meet the current requirements of the Board.

being a trustee

We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate an active interest in
higher education, and a commitment to:

- The Union’s vision.

- Promote equality and diversity.

- Quality and enhancement.

- Promote the Union externally and within the community it serves.

- Work positively with others and to contribute as a member of a team.

- Make reasoned decisions and to act honestly, diligently and in good faith.

- Contribute to establishing performance targets and the monitoring of

  performance against these.

- Accept collective responsibility.

Salary: This is a voluntary position

Working hours: No set working hours. Various commitments over
the year, including Board meetings four times a year.

person

specification

Key attributes expected of all Trustees are:

- Strategic awareness.

- Vision and commitment.

- Ability to share and work to common values.

- Critical listening and evaluation skills.

- Ability to ask probing questions.

- Analytical and problem-solving abilities.

- Integrity to act without self-interest and make decisions based on

÷evidence.

- Ability to work within a framework of collective decision-making in

÷the best interests of the Board and the Union.

- Awareness of standards in public life, public accountability and a

÷determination to abide by them.

Solent Students’ Union is committed to increasing diversity and
maintaining an inclusive culture. If you meet our criteria, we
welcome your application regardless of your age, ethnicity, race,
gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, social
demographic or whether you live with a disability.

principal duties

Role specific activity:

- Directing the affairs of the Union.

- Ensuring that it is legal, solvent, well-run, and delivering its ÷  ÷ ÷

÷charitable objectives.

- Ensuring that the charity adheres to charity law and other relevant

÷ legislation.

- Detailed scrutiny of all financial matters and ensuring that we have

÷ appropriate risk mitigating strategies in place.

- Always acting in the Students’ Union’s best interests.

- Understanding and acting within the principles defined in The

÷Charity - Governance Code: www.charitygovernancecode.org/en

÷and the charity governance code specifically for students’ unions,

÷approved by the Charity - Commission

÷https://www. nusconnect.org.uk/quality-students-unions/qsu-

÷resourceshub/governance

- The Trustees are also the Directors of the Students’ Union company
÷limited by guarantee for the purposes of company law. politeness,
÷and professionalism.

our expectations

In common with many other charities, this is a voluntary role,
though reasonable travel expenses will be paid.

All Trustees are expected to:

1. Prepare for, and attend, Board meetings. Trustees attend, on
÷average, four meetings per year lasting approximately two
÷hours each, and one half-day session dedicated to strategy and
÷development.

2. Contribute actively and constructively to the work of the Board.
÷÷Meetings will normally be undertaken online, though may be held
÷÷in-person. All papers will be circulated via email, and a basic level
÷÷of digital literacy will be required in order to engage with the role.

3. Commit to induction and ongoing development.

4. Adhere to the Board’s values and the Nolan Principles of public
÷÷life.

5. Continue to be a fit and proper person and declare any conflicts
÷÷of interests. We will ask you to complete our fit and proper

÷÷person test once your application has been shortlisted.

how to apply!

To be considered for a three-year appointment to our
Board in the first instance, we invite you to submit a CV
and covering letter outlining your interest in the role and
relevant experience to joshua.whale@solent.ac.uk

Please feel free to reach out to our Chief Executive Josh
Whale if you have queries about any aspect of the role,
need additional information or wish to organise an
informal and confidential discussion.

The Students’ Union will respect the privacy of any initial
approach or expression of interest in this role, whether
formal or informal.

www.solentsu.co.uk