Board of Trustees – 11 December 2025 

On 11 December 2025, we held our second Board of Trustees meeting for the 2025-26 academic year. If you don’t know, the Board is made up of four elected sabbatical officers, three appointed Student Trustees and up to five external and independent Lay Trustees. This group is legally responsible for the organisation and in addition to providing guidance and expertise, helps to set the strategic direction for the students’ Union. 

The Board of Trustees also delegates responsibility for decisions to sub-committees of the Board made up of officer, student and external lay trustees. This year saw a change to that structure and the addition of a People and Culture Committee alongside our Finance and Risk Committee.  

At the Board meetings, sabbatical officers and senior staff provide updates on work and present items for both discussion and/or approval by the Board. We have a commitment to be more transparent to our members around how decisions are made and who makes them, so I’ve summarised below what was discussed at our last meeting. 

Building Community, Leading Change: Marketing and Communications 

As part of a spotlight session to Board and how teams are supporting delivery of our strategic plan, the Marketing and Communications Manager gave a presentation on the work of his team and how they approach the engagement of students, with a live case study and example. 

Sabbatical Officer and Priority 8 Update 

The Officers circulated their updates ahead of the meeting and each asked a specific question to the Board for feedback. They included: 

President: We have spoken in the past about longevity of projects in your opinion how can officers ensure their projects continue after them? 

VP Education: Given a renewed focus on educating students regarding deadline-stacking and the lack of clear consensus on how students want to see this issue improved, how should 'wins' be measured and assessed for the priority? 

VP Wellbeing and Diversity: What are the reasons the Loyalty Systems might fail, what are the measures that can be taken to prevent that from happening? 

VP Societies and Sports: When thinking about affordability, what are other ways the SU could meet this goal without lowering the prices of SU nights? 

The feedback will be used by Officers, with staff support to maximise the impact of their work both to the end of the 25-26 year and into next year’s Priority 8. 

Democracy Review Update 

The Head of Community Engagement gave a verbal update on the Democracy Review and progress with implementation. Final proposals will be taken to the Board and our students in due course and are focused on effective and transparent democracy.  

Annual Planning 

The Board noted an update by the Head of Community Engagement in relation to our annual planning cycle and intersection with Boards and Committees. 

Incorporation update and Board actions 

The Board were updated by the CEO on progress with incorporation and transfer. The Board noted formal resolutions which are to be put to the Board. Following the Board meeting, our initial four Company Law Members for the new Company Limited by Guarantee met to consider the formal transfer agreement, which will be signed in due course.  

Strategic Risk Register 

The CEO presented the latest strategic risk register and consolidation to 15 strategic risks that need to be managed by the senior leadership team and overseen by Board. The updates were considered by Finance and Resources Committee in November with revisions to the register made to ensure risks were relevant and to simplify the register with clear ownership on risks.  

Quarter One Management Accounts 

The Finance Manager presented the management accounts from 1st August to 31st October. The Board noted positive changes to format of accounts and the positive signs across commercial operations.  

Quarter One Commercial Update 

The interim Head of Commercial Operations gave an update on commercial developments across restructuring, recruitment and projects.  

CEO Update 

The Board noted the CEO update, which highlighted progress with strategic plans; employee engagement; annual planning and RHUL context and staff changes.  

Sub-Committees 

The Board noted minutes from the meetings of People and Culture, Finance and Risk Committees. 

Student Group Ratification 

The Board considered an additional item which related to the decision of our Sports Societies and Opportunities Executive to not approve ratification of a proposed Israel Society. Following a complaint received by the proposer, it was recommended to consider that as an appeal against the decision.  

The Board agreed on the need to act fairly, within our constitution and byelaws and in compliance with Charity Law. It was approved to delegate authority to the Chair to appoint a panel of three Trustees, not involved in the process to date, and for that panel to meet as soon as practicable to discuss the process and appeal.