Founded in 1845 as one of the UK’s first government schools of design, the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) can trace its lineage to the 1750s and the establishment, during the Scottish Enlightenment, of the Foulis Academy, European in ethos and the UK’s first school of art. Over 270 years later, it is one of the UK’s last remaining independent schools of art, ranked as one of the top art and design schools in the world, and is at a pivotal and exciting point in its history.

The ability to transform thinking, generate new knowledge and give shape and form to things that currently do not exist, are all characteristics of the creative practitioner. Through an art school education, the GSA hones these inherent skills through studio-based learning and teaching, and research that is discipline-specific. The studio, whether literal or figurative, creates the environment for collaboration, within and across disciplines, for critical enquiry, experimentation and prototyping. It is the environment in which we collectively generate new ideas and solutions, and where innovation thrives. ‘Studio’ is the space where a shared visual language can transcend barriers and global boundaries, and where ambition and imagination can find solutions to many of the global challenges facing the world today.

Today, the GSA is a diverse and international community of 3,500 students and staff, and through the success of its graduates, the quality of its teaching and research and its heritage, it enjoys both global significance and influence as a leading centre for studio-based learning and research. Alongside its global position, the GSA continues to contribute to Glasgow’s position as a European cultural capital, and one of the UK’s most successful city-economies and a leading UK creative capital alongside London and Manchester. Central to this contribution are the School's students, staff – creative practitioners and academics of international and national significance – and graduates, with nearly 60% choosing to remain in the city, working within the cultural and creative industries, the wider creative economy or establishing their own businesses and importantly their contribution to the city’s cultural infrastructure through galleries, exhibitions, events and their international networks.

This is an exciting time to be joining the GSA. The School had a successful Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2021 with 82% of its research overall being assessed as either 4* or 3* (world leading or internationally significant). Metrics around student experience are also on a positive upward trend. As captured in its Strategic Plan 2022-2027, the GSA aims to be an art school fit for the 21st Century, which empowers change and creates impact that is both transformative and collaborative. It will achieve this by transforming its already distinct models of creative education; by creating an environment in which creative research and innovation can flourish, particularly via the creation of new Research Labs; and by becoming a truly sustainable institution which is both financially secure and committed to net zero. Hear more about the Strategic Plan here with the GSA's Director, Professor Penny Macbeth.

For an introduction to and overview of the role of Independent Governors at the GSA, here is a video featuring Ann Priest, Chair of Governors.

The Board of Governors has the primary responsibilities listed below. All Governors are expected to make a material contribution to ensuring that the Board fulfils these responsibilities.

1. To ensure the effective management of the School and to play a key role in the development, approval and review of the mission and strategic vision of the School.
2. To be the principal financial and business authority of the School.
3. To safeguard the reputation and values of the School.
4. To ensure that the quality of institutional educational provision is upheld, and to ensure the defence of academic freedom.
5. To make such provision as appropriate for the general welfare of students, in consultation with the Academic Council.
6. To ensure that systems and policies are in place for meeting all of the School’s legal and regulatory obligations.
7. To oversee and monitor the development and implementation of the School’s Strategic Plan.
8. To appoint a Chair of the Board of Governors, one or more Vice Chairs, and Independent Governors.
9. To appoint the Director of the School, and the Secretary to the Board.
10. To advise on the appointment of the Deputy Director(s) of the School, and the Director of Finance.
11. To ensure the establishment and monitoring of systems of control and accountability, including financial and operating controls and risk management framework.
12. To ensure that processes are in place to monitor and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the School.
13. To establish processes to monitor and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the Board of Governors.
14. To conduct its business in accordance with best practice in higher education corporate governance, and with accepted standards of ethics and behaviour in public life.
15. To determine and review the remuneration of those senior staff members whose salaries are not included within national pay scales.
16. To form, and receive regular reports from, committees to consider major areas of activity.
17. To support and enable the effective functioning of the Students’ Association.
18. To satisfy itself that the School operates with high levels of social responsibility.
19. To take all final decisions on matters of major concern to the School.

All members of the Board of Governors assume the same responsibilities as part of the Board (apart from the additional responsibilities that attend particular offices including the roles of Chair and Director) and share responsibility for the decisions of the Board. Once appointed, all members, irrespective of the route by which they were appointed, are considered full members of the Board and are expected and entitled to participate fully in all of the business of the Board of Governors, unless a clear conflict of interest is identified.

The GSA wishes to appoint new external Independent Governors who share a commitment to the institution’s ambition and values. The institution is seeking Independent Governors who will play an active role in helping the GSA to realise its potential, extend its impact and achieve its goals. Working with the Board, the Director and the Senior Leadership Group, the appointed Governors will help the GSA to maintain strong governance in support of the delivery of both the core business and the GSA’s strategic ambitions.

It is important for the GSA that its Board is diverse and inclusive. Applications are therefore welcome from all those who feel and can evidence that they have the passion, skills, experience, insight and knowledge that will support the School in its governance.

Additionally, the Board would be interested in hearing from individuals with expertise in the following areas:

Cultural and Creative Industries - individuals with experience of leadership within the cultural and creative industries; of research, innovation, knowledge exchange (KE) and / or policy making. Understanding the challenges and opportunities in the sectors more widely would enable the School to deepen its insight, and could inform the development of research, knowledge exchange, the curriculum and its delivery across the School.

Higher Education Policy - individuals experienced in UK and/or Scottish government higher education policy formulation and an understanding of the emerging policy environment in relation to tertiary education, particularly associated with art and design. Individuals who have helped shape the higher education policy debate in the UK and have a deeper understanding of central government policy approaches, plus an active and relevant network, would be a desirable addition to the Board.

Global Partnerships and Geo-Political Challenges - the Board recognises that it would be stronger for having greater insight into the global geo-political and economic challenges (inflation, food security, the energy crisis, rising pressure on global supply chains and geo-political competition, international security and governance systems, etc) which will continue to impact the increasingly unpredictable and competitive student recruitment market. Individuals with significant international exposure and insight into these themes would be highly valued, particularly if they are able to relate this knowledge to the tertiary education sector.

Estates Infrastructure and Placemaking - individuals with a track record in delivering infrastructure projects on a national scale. This could include significant cultural projects, commercial spaces and town and city regeneration. Additionally, experience of placemaking, and the potential to advise the Board on engaging the GSA in regional and local growth, would enhance the current experience among the Independent Governors. This could include advising on the regeneration of Glasgow city centre, or regional development, building on the School’s Highlands and Islands initiatives.

Applications from first-time non-executives are welcome provided they have a clear understanding of the governance role.

The Board of Governors is the GSA’s governing authority – among its responsibilities is approval of the mission and strategic vision of the institution, together with oversight of the GSA’s governance and finances. The Statement of Primary Responsibilities is set out together with full details of the GSA’s constitution and governance in the annually updated Statement of Corporate Governance.

The majority of the GSA’s Governors are independent members – Independent Governors – and provide constructive and independent advice and guidance, informed by expertise, across a range of creative and professional backgrounds.

The Board has the following committees: Audit and Risk, Business and Estates, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Museum and Archive, Nominations, and Remuneration.

All of these committees are formally constituted with terms of reference and all are convened by Independent members of the Board. On appointment, and dependent upon relevant experience and areas of expertise, Independent Governors may be invited to become a member of specific Board committees.

A full list of current Governors can be found here.

Based on a standard year, members of the Board will usually attend:

• Five meetings of the Board each year which are normally held in October, November, December, March and June.
• An annual away-day which focuses on strategic matters (generally held at the beginning of February).
• The GSA’s graduation ceremonies, taking place in June and December, and the GSA’s Degree Shows, which are held in June and September.
• The GSA’s Annual Stakeholder Meeting (usually held to coincide with the June Degree Show).
• Independent Governors may also be invited to become members of specific Board committees which normally meet four times per year between September and May.
• These meetings will normally be held via video-conference.
• Members of the Board are encouraged to take a full part in the GSA’s rich internal and external life and may also be invited to attend lectures, exhibitions, dinners and other social events, which may take place throughout the year.

Independent Governors are normally appointed for a period of three years. Any Independent Governor appointed (and being eligible) may be further appointed, subject to satisfactory performance (and on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee) on expiry of their term of office. Independent Governors can serve a maximum of three terms.

Independent Governors are not remunerated but the GSA will reimburse reasonable expenses including travel costs. Depending on individual circumstances, the provision of financial assistance to Independent Governors who might otherwise find it difficult to attend meetings may be considered.

This organisation is based in Glasgow. Candidates may be based anywhere in the world, provided they are able to commit to in-person attendance at the majority of main Board meetings. 

The GSA encourages applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. As women and those from an ethnic minority background 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. More on the GSA's commitment to Equality can be found here.