One of the country's leading modern universities, formally established in 2005 but with a local heritage stretching back some 160 years, Bath Spa is a dynamic university which champions creativity and enterprise across all its activities. Offering a wide range of modern courses across the arts, science, education, social science and business to over 7,000 students, the University employs over 1,000 outstanding academic and technical staff to deliver innovative learning opportunities.

Based in stunning countryside just a few minutes from a World Heritage City, Bath Spa University has graduates who are engaged global citizens and ready for the world of work - 93% of its students are in full-time employment or further study within six months of graduation. In 2020, the University was recognized as the most improved university in the National Undergraduate Employment awards and it recently ranked in the top five creative universities in the country in the Which Student guide. In addition, the University was named as The Sunday Times University of the Year for Social Inclusion in recognition of its commitment to empowering students from all backgrounds with the opportunity to study and thrive in higher education, helping people develop skills today that will set them apart in the future.  

Bath Spa University offers a wide range of courses (undergraduate, postgraduate, professional development and short courses) and undertakes research across its seven schools: the Bath Business School, the Bath School of Music and Performing Arts, the Bath School of Art, Film and Media, the Bath School of Design, the School of Education, the School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities and the School of Sciences. The school structure was implemented in 2019 and is designed to support the institutional strategy of delivering a flexible curriculum which is responsive to student needs. In addition, the University has a London centre and has franchised and validated provision at a number of partners in the UK and overseas.

Bath Spa’s purpose is to challenge its students and staff to realise their talent and thrive, for their own benefit and for the wider good. The University embarked on its exciting 10-year strategy in September 2019 (2030 Strategy) and more detail can be found here. It is determinedly student-centric, offering innovative teaching and learning, with a strong focus on student support and well-being, as well as expanding research excellence, and state-of-the-art facilities.  Creativity, curiosity and confidence are embedded in all aspects of the University’s approach.

The Board of Governors is responsible for:

• Determining the educational character and mission of the university and overseeing its activities
• Overseeing the effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the university and for safeguarding its assets
• Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure
• Setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of staff

Bath Spa University is seeking two new Governors who will have extensive experience in either investment and finance or legal and regulatory who will provide guidance and advice to the wider Board and executive team. Both appointees will bring a willingness to be challenging but constructive and will provide a high level of scrutiny.

Governor (Finance / Investment)

The successful candidate will bring senior investment and financial acumen and have long-term investment management expertise. Applicants will need to be at ease with analysing accounts and investments, experience of which could have been gained as an investment banker or investment manager, or in a financial leadership role. A financial qualification and some prior exposure to charity finances may be seen as a differentiator between candidates, but is not essential. Applicants will have senior strategic experience from a similarly sized / complex organisation.

In addition to joining the Board, the Governor will be appointed to the Finance and Infrastructure Committee and contribute to the oversight of the development and delivery of the University's strategy for its physical and digital estates, environmental sustainability, financial performance and investment portfolio.

Governor (Legal / Regulatory)

The University operates within an increasingly challenging external regulatory environment. With this in mind, the successful candidate will bring a senior background in law or regulation and could have operated as a Partner in a law firm, General Counsel or other senior strategic role within a legal or regulatory environment. Individuals could come from a range of backgrounds but some exposure to non-profits / higher education institutions could be beneficial.

In addition to joining the Board, the Governor will be appointed to the Audit Committee and contribute to the oversight of the University’s audit, risk, legal and regulatory compliance arrangements.

Above all, candidates will have an interest and strong personal commitment to higher education as a public good and to the values, aims and objectives of the University, combined with the energy and interest to engage fully with its work.

The Board Members are drawn from a range of backgrounds and biographies can be found here. 

This role is unpaid but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed including expenses incurred in the course of undertaking the role including, for example, reimbursement of the reasonable cost of care arrangements for dependents where necessary in order to attend a Board or committee meetings.

The Board currently meets five times per year, in addition to an annual away day, and its principal committees each meet three times per year (usually three hours). Board meetings are held on campus and Committee meetings are normally held virtually. There are additional opportunities for members of the Board to engage with, and support, University life, including attending a rolling series of monthly online engagement sessions with staff and students, attending graduation ceremonies and other University events. Governors serve for a three-year term, which is renewable, subject to a potential maximum of seven years on the Board.

Due to Board meetings being held in person, Bath Spa University expects this person to be able to travel to the University from a reasonable distance and will not consider candidates based outside of the UK.

The University has a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Bath Spa University welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. As Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, disabled and LGBT+ people are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those individuals would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.