Watney College

Watney College is a growing independent college in East London committed to delivering high-quality further and higher education. We offer a range of professional and vocational qualifications accredited by recognised awarding bodies such as Nqual, ATHE and OTHM. We are working towards partnerships with UK universities and registration with the Office for Students (OfS), aiming to establish ourselves as a trusted higher education provider.

We are seeking an External Member to provide independent external scrutiny, specialist advice and constructive challenge to the College Oversight Board (COB), Audit, Remuneration and Risk Committee (ARRC), Board of Directors (BoD) or other designated committees.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent external scrutiny, specialist advice and constructive challenge to the College Oversight Board, Audit, Remuneration and Risk Committee, Board of Directors or other committees to which they are appointed.
• Attend scheduled committee meetings, review papers in advance and contribute to discussions in a professional, objective and evidence-based manner.
• Review reports, policies, action trackers, risk registers, audit evidence, quality assurance records, student experience information and performance data submitted for governance consideration.
• Support the College Oversight Board by contributing to oversight of learner experience, academic quality, student outcomes, complaints, progression, support arrangements and institutional improvement.
• Support the Audit, Remuneration and Risk Committee by reviewing risk management, internal controls, audit findings, compliance evidence, financial sustainability, remuneration matters and mitigation actions where required.
• Support the Board of Directors by providing external perspective on strategic priorities, governance effectiveness, regulatory readiness, institutional sustainability and accountability.
• Question whether reports and recommendations are sufficiently evidenced, proportionate, risk-aware and aligned with relevant terms of reference, College policies and regulatory expectations.
• Contribute to preparations for OfS registration, awarding organisation activity, partner review, external audit, internal review, quality monitoring and other regulatory or assurance activity where relevant to their expertise.
• Assist in monitoring completion of agreed actions, recommendations and matters arising from committee discussions where these relate to the External Member role.
• Promote high standards of integrity, safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion, confidentiality, data protection and public accountability within College governance.
• Declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and withdraw from discussions where required under College procedures.
• Operate within the advisory and assurance remit of the appointment, maintaining a clear distinction between external governance contribution and operational management.
• Undertake other proportionate committee-related duties agreed by the relevant Chair, Principal or Board of Directors in line with the role of an External Member.