Brunel is a global university, committed to providing education and world-leading research that meets the ever-changing needs of industry and society. Since 1966, Brunel has stood out from the crowd, pioneering sandwich degrees, and promising students the academic, professional and personal skills they need to succeed in their future and to make a difference to the world around them. Brunel is a well established research intensive university, with a number of areas considered world-leading and internationally excellent for their research impact, including engineering, public health, sports science, art and design, politics and environmental and earth sciences. Brunel has long had a large portfolio of Innovate UK funded projects and a large proportion of its research is in collaboration with industry partners. It is also an EPSRC Strategic Partner. 

Brunel has a student population of over 16,000. The University attracts just under 80% of its home students from London and the South-East, including from some of the most deprived communities. These students do well with Brunel, which is ranked in the Economist’s top ten for boosting graduate salaries. This is a testament to its outreach activities and successful widening participation programme.  Brunel’s undergraduate student population is 11% overseas and 42% overseas at postgraduate level. It has introduced successful degree programmes ranging from anthropology to aerospace engineering; business management to healthcare science and a new medical school opened in 2022. The University produces independent thinkers, leaders in their fields, pushing boundaries and making life changing discoveries. Brunel works closely with more than 8,000 organisations, many of which support its students through placement opportunities, mentoring and graduate employment. 93% of its undergraduate students are in employment or further study six months after leaving Brunel. Programmes are developed in partnership with industry and are committed to a culture of collaboration that truly meets the global challenges of the 21st Century.  

These are uncertain times for Higher Education but for every new challenge there is an opportunity.  Brunel will embrace new methods of education and extend its reach globally and in the spirit of its namesake Isambard Kingdom Brunel, excellence, innovation and entrepreneurialism will be at the heart of everything the University does.  With a strong reputation and financial position, the University will continue to focus on its students and its research. It is committed to remaining in the top 40 UK research-intensive universities, reviewing the strategic opportunities around its campus, ensuring financial sustainability in a challenging context, as well as improving student satisfaction. Currently in the middle of a strategic review, now is an exciting time to join the Council and contribute to Brunel's future journey.

A welcome from the Chair of Council:

It gives me great pleasure in welcoming you to Brunel University London as a potential Council Member. Thank you for your interest and your time.

This is a challenging time for the Higher Education Sector with significant external change impacting on universities in the UK. However, Brunel is positioned well on the global stage and has a strong and resilient platform for continued growth and innovation.

The role of independent Council Members is key to the ongoing success of our University.   Your interest in and curiosity for Higher Education and your empathy with Brunel’s mission and vision are critical, as is your breadth and depth of leadership experience.

We enjoy our diverse and inclusive community and encourage you to become a valued member of our governing body.

Professor Stuart Palmer

Chair of Council

Council:

Brunel is a corporation with charitable status and exists by virtue of a Royal Charter first granted in 1966. The Council is the governing body of the University and comprises independent (lay) members and student and staff members appointed under the Statutes and Ordinances of the University. Independent members form the majority of the Council.  Council is ultimately responsible and accountable for setting the strategic direction of the University and for the University’s assets and finances as well as the institution’s statutory compliance.

Council delegates the execution of its responsibilities to the Vice-Chancellor and President, and it monitors the implementation of policies through Council committees. The Council is collectively responsible for the strategic mission and academic character of the University, and for ensuring that the University is financially secure and well run. It is also responsible for the governance, regulation and quality assurance of the teaching and research work of the University. Council works closely with the Vice-Chancellor and President’s Executive Team and brings to the table significant knowledge and expertise that contributes to the success and impact of the University. 

The Council carries responsibilities for ensuring the effective management of the University and for planning its future development. As the governing body of the University, the Council is accountable for decisions on matters of fundamental concern within its remit including the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor and other senior officers.

The Council’s powers, duties and functions are set out in full in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances of the University, which are available on the University’s website.

The Council has established a number of committees to carry out its work: Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Governance and Nominations Committee, Remuneration Committee and the Ethics Advisory Committee.  

Senate and Academic Governance:

The academic authority of the University is the Senate, which is chaired by the University's Vice-Chancellor and President. The Senate draws its members entirely from the academic staff and students of the University. The Senate's powers, duties and functions are set out in the Statutes and Ordinances. 

Responsibilities of Council Members:

Council members are expected to play an appropriate part in ensuring that the necessary business of Council is carried out efficiently, effectively and in a manner appropriate for the proper conduct of public business. They are expected to make rational and constructive contributions to debate and to make their knowledge and expertise available to the governing body as opportunity arises.  

The main collective responsibilities of Council members concern strategy, performance and accountability and can be summarised as follows:

• Promote and safeguard the interests of the University, supporting the development of its vision, mission and strategy such that these meet the needs of stakeholders
• Ensure that the University’s performance against its strategic objectives is monitored and evaluated
• Be the principal financial, business, legal and employing authority of the University and to have overall responsibility for its assets, property and estate
• Ensure the establishment and monitoring of systems of control and accountability
• Ensure that the University delivers on its charitable objectives for the public benefit
• Ensure that the University’s Charter and Statutes are followed at all times
• Uphold the highest standards of governance and probity
• Be powerful advocates on behalf of the University in presenting its achievements and ambitions to external stakeholders and promoting the University’s reputation across the UK and abroad

Due to rotation on the Council and end of tenure, Brunel is looking for new Council Members to provide strong governance, advice and act as a critical friend to the Executive team on various matters relating to their specialism and more widely.

The University would particularly welcome new Council Members with experience in at least one of the following areas: legal, human resources, finance, audit and risk, property / estates and / or fundraising. Individuals will have operated in organisations of similar sizes (or larger) and complexity. Though non-executive experience can be beneficial, it is not a requirement for these roles but candidates will bring an understanding of the nuances between a governance role and the one of an executive role.

On a personal level, the successful candidates will also bring strong people and communication skills, personal integrity and high ethical standards, a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and a commitment to openness and transparency. They will be innovative in their approach, curious and collaborative. Individuals will be committed to Higher Education and the Brunel's vision of strengthening its position as a leading multidisciplinary, research intensive university, delivering economic, social and cultural benefit through excellence, innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Council Members are appointed on the basis of their understanding of and commitment to the vision and values of the University, enthusiasm about its development, the quality of their contributions to institutional governance and the independent and constructive advice that they can offer.

The University is keen to ensure more diversity within its Council and invites applications from candidates of all ages and backgrounds.

Diversity: Brunel welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. The University is always keen to increase the diversity of Council and would particularly welcome applications from women, those from ethnic minorities, younger profiles, those with a disability, as well as any other individuals who have characteristics or backgrounds that will help to diversify the Council. 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 diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

To find out more about the the Council Members, please see here. 

The Council meets four times a year in person to transact its formal business. There is also at least one away day meeting each year  In addition, Council members are expected to support at least one Sub-Committee, which each meet four times a year. These meetings tend to be held virtually or in a hybrid manner. There are other events throughout the year to which Council members are invited, for example briefing sessions, external speaking events and public lectures, graduation and other student related activities. Council members are expected to attend regularly and participate actively. Council members are expected to provide approximately 10 days a year depending on Committee membership and events. Council members serve a term of four years on Council and are eligible to be extended for a further four years. Reasonable, pre-agreed expenses will be reimbursed.