Edge Hill Students' Union
Chair of the Board of Trustees
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The Role
The Chair provides leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring its effectiveness and the highest standards of governance. The Chair works in partnership with the Chief Executive and trustees to ensure the Students’ Union is well governed, strategically focused, and sustainable.
The Chair also plays a key role in fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing board culture, ensuring all trustees—including student trustees—are supported to contribute fully.
About the Students’ Union
The Students’ Union is a membership organization, led by students and supported by professional staff. Its purpose is to represent, support, and enhance the lives of students, ensuring student voices are heard, valued, and acted upon.
Edge Hill Students’ Union works with students to make their University experience all they want it to be.
Whatever a student's needs, situation, or background; we empower them through partnership.
We deliver events, empower societies, and support individuals with whatever they need to have a great experience whilst fulfilling their ambitions.
We bring creativity, innovation, and freedom to the student community, and work with Edge Hill to bring about our shared goal of enabling every student to be the best version of themselves.
About You
You bring a strong personal connection to Edge Hill or a clear affinity with its community and values. You are inspired by the opportunity to support a student-led organization that champions advocacy, representation, and the student experience.
You are passionate about student rights and the importance of independent student voice. You understand the impact a well-run Students’ Union can have and are motivated to play a leading role in helping it thrive.
You are an experienced and confident leader, with the ability to guide discussions, build consensus, and create an environment where everyone feels able to contribute—particularly student trustees, whose perspectives are central to the organization’s success. You combine strategic thinking with emotional intelligence. You are comfortable offering both support and constructive challenge, and you take pride in helping boards and individuals perform at their best.
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You are also someone who values good governance and understands the importance of accountability, clarity, and long-term thinking. You are motivated not just by oversight, but by enabling the organization to grow, improve, and deliver real impact.
Above all, you relish the opportunity to play a pivotal role in supporting the Students’ Union—working in partnership with trustees and the Chief Executive to ensure it remains a strong, effective, and student-focused organization.
Remuneration
This is a voluntary, unpaid role. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses may be reimbursed in line with the Students’ Union’s expenses policy.
Time Commitment
The Chair role carries a greater time commitment than that of an ordinary trustee. This includes:
- 4 Board meetings per year (around 2 hours each)
- Membership of at least one Board committee
- Regular meetings with the Chief Executive
- Additional preparation, stakeholder engagement, and ad hoc responsibilities
Location
Board meetings are usually held in person, with some committee meetings and committee work conducted online. Applications are particularly welcomed from those able to attend in person when required. In-person meetings will usually be at Edge Hill campus, Ormskirk.
Meetings with the Chief Executive and most committee meetings are expected to take place online, offering flexibility alongside in-person Board meetings.
Responsibilities of the Chair
In addition to the general duties of a trustee, the Chair is responsible for:
- Providing clear leadership to the Board and fostering a culture of openness, trust, and constructive challenge
- Ensuring the Board operates effectively, efficiently, and in line with legal and regulatory requirements
- Setting Board meeting agendas in partnership with the Chief Executive
- Chairing Board meetings and facilitating inclusive, effective decision-making
- Ensuring all trustees, including student trustees, can contribute meaningfully
- Supporting, appraising, and acting as a key contact for the Chief Executive
- Maintaining appropriate boundaries between governance and management
- Ensuring focus on strategy, risk, financial sustainability, and long-term impact
- Acting as an ambassador and representing the Board externally
- Leading reviews of Board effectiveness, development, and succession planning
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Core Trustee Responsibilities
As a trustee, the Chair also shares collective responsibility for:
- Setting strategic direction and safeguarding the organization’s mission and values
- Ensuring good governance, financial oversight, and accountability
- Acting in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries
Working Alongside Student Trustees
The Chair is expected to:
- Champion student democracy within governance
- Ensure student trustees are supported and empowered
- Balance strong leadership with inclusive facilitation
- Provide continuity and long-term perspective
Person Specification
Essential
- Strong commitment to the purpose and values of a Students’ Union
- Experience of chairing boards, committees, or senior-level meetings
- Strong leadership and facilitation skills
- Ability to think strategically and exercise sound judgement
- Ability to build effective relationships and foster inclusive environments
- Understanding of, or willingness to learn about, charity governance
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
Desirable
- Previous experience as a trustee or non-executive director
- Experience in governance, finance, law, HR, education, or organizational leadership
- Understanding of the higher education or Students’ Union sector
- Experience of supporting, managing, or working closely with a senior leader (such as a Chief Executive), including providing constructive challenge and appraisal, is desirable.
Term of Office
The Chair is appointed in line with the Students’ Union’s governing document, typically for a three-year term, and may be eligible for reappointment.
Eligibility
Must be eligible to act as a charity trustee and declare any conflicts of interest.
Additional Information
This role description is indicative and may be reviewed periodically to reflect the evolving needs of the Students’ Union and its members.
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