Independent Governor at
University of Wolverhampton

Welcome

Dear candidate,

I am delighted you are considering applying for the role of Independent Governor at the University of Wolverhampton. Our university prides itself on its educational roots, and opportunities for students have been at the heart of our mission for over 190 years.

We are instrumental in enabling social mobility and providing skilled workforces in some of our local economy’s key sectors. Through this we enjoy fruitful partnerships across the locality and further afield, and have a well-established international presence in countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria, India and China.

You would be joining us at a challenging but exciting time. Uncertainties in the external environment arising from the ambiguities in the global economy, the UK Government’s policies and direction of travel, together with sector-wide pressures on pay costs and inflation, coupled with the University’s transformation programme have significantly changed the arena in which the University operates.

As a consequence of our transformation programme, we successfully delivered an improvement on our budget outcome for the year ending July 2022, and we are on track to achieve a similar outcome for the year to July 2023. This improving performance is underlined by our plan to move into a surplus for 2023/24 with continuing improvement thereafter.

We see real opportunities for the future, and with our ambition and determination to transform our community through inclusive student success and world-class research, we believe we are now well placed to grow and succeed.

The Board of Governors is especially committed to and fully focused on moving the University forward, refreshing our offer for students, improving staff and student experience, celebrating our successes, and strengthening our position with an ambitious view to becoming a leading higher education provider.

The University’s current strategy document, Vision 2030, was developed during the pandemic. Whilst the key pillars of Inclusive Student Success and Place remain important to the University, it is envisaged the Board will refresh the strategy to reflect the ever-changing environment in which we operate.

We are looking for four exceptional candidates to join our Board as Independent Governors, to work with us in achieving our vision. We are seeking candidates with a background in Audit and Risk (qualified accountant), HR, EDI and HE.

If you share our ambition, are passionate about inclusive higher education, and have the leadership skills and experience to continue to deliver success for the University of Wolverhampton’s students, staff, partners and wider community, we look forward to receiving your application.

Angela Spence,

Chair of the Board of Governors