External Trustee Vacancy

Liverpool Guild of Students is the students’ union of the University of Liverpool and a registered charity. All students at the University of Liverpool become members of the Guild of Students when they join the University and it’s our job to make sure they enjoy their time with us. They deserve the best and we make sure they are at the heart of everything we do.

We offer:

Opportunities to boost students’ skills.

We have over 200 student-run societies which they can get involved in, not to mention our super volunteering programmes and student-staff roles.

A fun and vibrant place where students can try new things and meet new people.

There’s our Give it a Go trips, live music gigs and whole host of other good quality, affordable services which they can take advantage of.

Support whenever students need us.

Whether they need help to settle in or support during their studies, we’re here for them and pride ourselves on being a friendly, helpful bunch and quick and easy to contact.

Campaigning for positive change. 

We are a democratic organisation and we listen to students to fight for the things which matter most to them. Our democracy structure - Change It - gives every student the chance to have their say and shape their university experience. As our logo suggests, we fly the flag for all students and provide effective representation, and we make sure we're the University’s critical friend.

We have over 24,000 members who the students of the University of Liverpool. All students are members of the Guild while they remain students at the University however they have the ability to opt-out should they wish to.

If you would like further information about the Guild you can find the Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts for the past year here, and you can find our governing documents and key policies here.

Be an active and vocal member of our Board of Trustees who are responsible for making sure students are at the heart of everything we do, and for setting the strategy of the organisation. They also approve all policy, our annual budget, monitor organisational performance and support our core staff team of over 70 people. The Trustee Board’s remit is summarised as:

1. Formulating, implementing and monitoring strategic plans.
2. Providing effective financial management and oversight, including the formation of budgets.
3. Safeguarding the reputation of the organisation.
4. Monitoring and evaluating the performance of staff, services and activities.
5. Supporting the Chief Executive Officer and reviewing their performance.
6. Providing effective risk management systems.
7. Ensuring comprehensive ongoing member consultation.
8. Promoting the active involvement of members.
9. Ensuring effective election/selection, induction and appraisal of trustee Board members.
10. Considering committee reports.
11. Any other duties required by charity law, the Education Act 1994, the Companies Act 2006 inter alia.

External trustees are appointed for a term of four years, renewable for one further four-year term.

The Board of Trustees will usually meet four times each year, including a Board Away Day in summer to introduce incoming Board members. Other Board meetings are ordinarily held on a Thursday evening.

Trustees may also be required to sit on the Board sub-committees (Resources & Audit, People, Culture & EDI and Governance & Appointments) which meets during office hours three times per year. Board members should be available by email to receive notice of meetings and board papers as well as to make urgent decisions which may arise between meetings.

As we are an incorporated charity, our trustees are non-executive directors and registered with Companies House. You must be willing and legally able to become a Company Director under both charity and company law.

Trustees will be expected to read all board papers in advance of the meeting and contribute in a constructive and open way. We expect board members to add to the conversation on all strategic decisions we make.

Charity trustees cannot be paid however they are entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred during their duties as a trustee in line with Guild policies, such as UK travel and accommodation costs for trustees not based in Liverpool.

The role of a trustee is an important one and some people are disqualified by law from acting as trustees. This includes:

• Anyone under the age of 16;
• Anyone who has an unspent conviction for an offence involving: deception or dishonesty; terrorist offences; money laundering; bribery; misconduct in public office, perjury, perverting the course of justice; contravention of certain preventative Orders of the Charity Commission; attempting, aiding or abetting the above offences;
• Anyone on the Sex Offenders’ Register;
• Anyone convicted of contempt of court;
• Anyone with a designation under specific anti-terrorist legislation;
• Anyone who is an undischarged bankrupt;
• Anyone who has entered into a composition or arrangement with their creditors which includes an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA), and is currently on the Insolvency Service Register;
• Anyone who has been removed as a trustee, officer, agent or employee of a charity by the Courts or the Charity Commission or a position of management or control of a charity in Scotland for misconduct or mismanagement;
• Anyone subject to a disqualification order under the Companies Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

In addition, under charity law you may not become a trustee of the Guild if you are employed by the Guild.

As part of the recruitment process we will ask you to sign a declaration that you are legally entitled to become a trustee and commit the required time.