General Assembly Appointed Governor of Westminster College

Role title

                 General Assembly Appointed Governor of Westminster College.

Governance area

The Board of Governors of Westminster College, Cambridge.

Main points of
contact

Clerk and Convener of the Board of Governors

Sources of support  Administrative support is provided by the Clerk to the Board of

Governors and the administrative staff of the college.

Location

Where meetings are held in person they are held at Westminster
College, Cambridge. Adjunct meetings are likely to be online.

Time commitment

Full-day meetings take place four times/year, with prior preparation
and document review required. Occasional tasks or adjacent
meetings are required as needed, with possible additional service on
a Board Committee, working group or similar arranged by the
Governors.

Governors serve for a six-year term, renewable once.

Remuneration

Volunteers are not remunerated. The College will ensure financial
expenses incurred by volunteers whilst supporting the work of the
Board of Governors will be reimbursed, in accordance with the
College expenses policy.

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Background:
Westminster College is a Theological College which serves as a ‘Resource Centre for
Learning’ of The United Reformed Church. It is a constituent member of the Cambridge
Theological Federation, one of the broadest ecumenical federations for theological
education globally. It benefits from being situated in Cambridge and the internationally
leading higher education and research base the city is known for. The college works in close
collaboration with the other Resource Centres for Learning in the URC (Luther King College,
Manchester; and The Scottish College) and with the Ministries Committee of the URC.

It is a period of significant change within the life of the college. The college is engaged in
ongoing conversations with The United Reformed Church about its future governance
structure and funding model. There is significant work to secure a sustainable financial
future, with a balance of income from a charitable trading company focused on hospitality,
independent students, the URC and other sources.

The college is also developing new partnerships, whilst sustaining ongoing relationships
with partners already on the college campus: The Woolf Institute, The Faraday Institute, the
Margaret Beaufort Institute, The Cambridge Theological Federation, the Cambridge Centre
for Christianity Worldwide, the Eastern Region Ministry Course, and the Congregational
Memorial Hall Trust.

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Role summary:
The Board of Governors of Westminster College is responsible for the determination of the
educational character and mission of the College and for the oversight of its activities and
the effective and efficient use of resources, financial management and safeguarding the
College’s assets.

As Trustees of the Westminster College charity, the Board of Governors carries the usual
responsibilities of a trustee body: to ensure the charity is carrying out its purpose for the
public benefit; to comply with the charity’s governing documents and the law; to act in the
charity’s best interest; to manage the charity’s resources responsibly; to act with reasonable
care and skill; and to ensure the charity is accountable.

The governing body maintains an up-to-date suite of appropriate policies and procedures for
the life of the College.

The governing body has a Management Committee to address financial management,
property, business and staffing issues, and a Board of Studies to address student and
academic concerns. These Committees report to the Governors and bring recommendations
for major decisions to Governors for action. Some Governors serve on those Committees.

As the relationship with the URC changes, there may be shifts in the governance structure
and role in the coming years.

Governors meetings generally begin around 11:30 and end by 17:00, and include a lunch
provided in the college dining room.

Principal responsibilities and duties

1.  In careful partnership with the Principal, who exercises leadership of Westminster

College and working collaboratively with other Governors, facilitate its life and work as
one of The United Reformed Church’s Resource Centres for Learning, and in other
endeavours as identified by the Board of Governors.

2.  To be alert to the principles, priorities and policies of the General Assembly of the United

Reformed Church.

3.  As the need arises and in accord with expertise, participate in advocacy, financial review,

fundraising, crisis-management, and similar efforts for Westminster College.

4.  Serve as a Charitable Trustee for Westminster College.

5.  In times of change, recognise that the role of the Governors is not static but evolving.

6.  Hold confidential all matters related to the Governors and decision-making processes.

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7.  Sensitively respectful of others’ pastoral roles, offer light touch pastoral care to the

College community.

8.  Such other tasks as fall to the Governor of such a body.

Expected standards
This section refers to the way in which the role should be done rather than the
duties/responsibilities.

1.  Promote a culture of open and effective communication.

2.  Actively foster an environment which nurtures equality and cherishes diversity.

3.  Take responsibility for own personal development and develop skills and knowledge

applicable to this role.

4.  Ensure compliance with safeguarding practice.

This role description reflects the overall scope and responsibilities of the role. However, it may
change and evolve over time in order to meet organisational needs and this role description
will therefore be subject to periodic review and change if required.

Person specification

Role: General Assembly Appointed Governor of Westminster College

Desirable
•  Experience in finance, law,
human resources and/or
charity governance

•  Knowledge of Theological
Education or UK Higher
Education or Ministerial
Training

Requirements
Experience and
knowledge

Essential

1.  Expertise in at least one

area of the Governors’
responsibilities.

2.  Knowledge of the United
Reformed Church

Skills and
abilities

3.  Ensure effective oversight

of processes and
procedures.

4.  Able to contribute creatively
to collaborative decision-
making.

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5.  Good IT skills including

Microsoft Office, Zoom and
email.

Other

6.  Member of The United
Reformed Church.

7.  Commitment to embedding
principles of equality,
diversity and inclusion.

•  Enthusiasm to engage with the

wider worshipping and
communal life of the College,
attending public events as time
and geography allow.

To apply: Please submit a letter of interest and current CV or one-page resume to
governorsclerk@westminster.cam.ac.uk by 1 March 2026.

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