UCL is one of the world’s top ten universities, and London’s leading multidisciplinary university, with over 14,300 staff and 43,800 students from 150 different countries. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, UCL was established to open up education in England for the first time to students of any race or religion, becoming the first university in London. In 1878, UCL became the first university in England to admit women on equal terms with men. UCL is a global university with a diverse community of world-class academics, students, industry links, external partners and alumni. With 30 Nobel Prize laureates amongst UCL’s alumni and current and former staff and life changing research and innovation, UCL was rated the top university in the UK for research strength in the most recent Research Excellence Framework and is ranked 8th in the 2022 QS World University Rankings. The University is a £2 billion revenue institution with a £2 billion capital programme.

Through a progressive approach to teaching and research, the University’s leading academics, students and staff continue to pursue excellence, break boundaries and make an impact on real world problems. The University has a proud heritage of disruptive thinking, a reputation for game-changing research and a unique multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving some of the most pressing issues of our time. As London’s global university, UCL is committed to excellence, innovation, and the promotion of universal understanding in all its activities: research, teaching, learning, enterprise and community engagement.

It’s an incredibly exciting time for the University. Following a period of significant growth, UCL is now moving to consolidation and positioning the institution for the coming decades. Currently undergoing a period of consultation, a new strategy is being produced and will be implemented in 2022, which will include a new finance and estates strategy. As the University continues to drive forward innovation and knowledge exchange for the benefit of all, it has also heavily invested in creating world-class facilities in the Bloomsbury campus, including a new student centre at the heart of the campus with 1,000 new study spaces. In addition, UCL East at Queen Elizabeth Park will have its first students join next year and is a leading player in the legacy site for the London Olympics.

Strategy: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/2034/

External Council members play a vital role in the governance of UCL. They bring diversity of expertise, background, thought and challenge to decision-making, and ensure that the university performs to the highest standards. As UCL’s governing body, Council members are responsible for:

• Overseeing the management and administration of UCL and the conduct of its affairs, subject to the advice of the Academic Board on matters of academic policy
• Steering and approving UCL’s mission and strategic vision and long-term academic and business plans
• Monitoring institutional performance and determining key business decisions

UCL is seeking an excellent finance leader to join them as an External Member of Council.

Candidates will bring significant leadership experience in corporate or accounting finance, with a relevant financial qualification. It is likely this person will come from a FTSE 350 organisation or will have experience as a Senior Partner in a large accountancy firm, or will be able to demonstrate working within a highly complex organisation. They will have the intellect, commercial nous and advocacy skills to guide and challenge a very experienced Council and senior leadership team in one of the world’s leading institutions.

In addition, applicants will bring empathy, emotional intelligence, resilience and a strong belief in the values of UCL, with a desire to make a societal impact. Although not essential for someone to succeed in the role, some exposure to a customer-facing organisation, real estate investment, or working in an international context would be interesting. As UCL looks at succession planning, the appointed Council member could eventually become the next Treasurer or Chair of the Audit Committee.

This role is unremunerated, but UCL will meet all reasonable costs associated with membership of the Council including child and other dependent care costs. The Council usually meets eight to nine times per year and holds at least one annual strategy away-day. Members of the Council are also expected to serve on at least one Committee of UCL Council, with the Finance Committee meeting six times per year. Currently these meetings are all held virtually due to the ongoing pandemic, but this is constantly reviewed. The appointment is for an initial term of three years with the possibility of extension for further terms.