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Board of Governors

The University's activities are overseen by a capable and highly motivated Board of Governors. The independent members of the Board of Governors and its supporting committees bring a broad variety of skills and experience, usually gained at senior levels within either the private or public sectors.

The Board has overall legal and constitutional responsibility for the conduct of the NTU's affairs in accordance with the Instrument and Articles of Government (PDF, 77KB).

The Board of Governors seeks to conduct its affairs in accordance with recognised good practice in corporate governance. In pursuit of that objective, the Board has formally adopted the Governance Code of Practice (PDF, 416KB) published by the Committee of University Chairs (CUC), embraces the Nolan Principles and complies with the Office for Students Public Interest Governance Principles.

The Board of Governors has approved and adopted a formal Code of Conduct which sets out the principles governing the conduct of its members and the members of its supporting committees.

See the primary responsibilities of the Board of Governors (PDF, 19KB)

The Board is supported by committees which undertake specific tasks on its behalf, in accordance with their respective terms of reference.

The University commissioned Advance HE to undertake a formal Governance Effectiveness Review during 2022. This concluded that the standard of governance at the University is very good, noting that where recommendations or suggestions were made, these were designed to build upon existing good practice. You can read the Governance Effectiveness Review.

Attendance at meetings

The attendance rate of Trustees at formal meetings of the Board of Governors and its supporting Committees during the 2022/23 academic year is shown below.

  • Board of Governors: 81%
  • Academic Assurance and Regulation Committee: 90%
  • Audit and Risk Management Committee: 81%
  • Employment Policy Committee: 94%
  • Investment Committee: 100%
  • Membership and Nominations Committee: 100%
  • Remuneration Committee: 100%
  • Strategy, Policy, Finance and Resources Committee: 87%

Governors’ personal expenses

Members of the Board of Governors (the Trustees) are not remunerated for their role on the governing body. The University will meet the cost of travel and subsistence expenses incurred by Trustees in attending Board of Governors and Committee meetings and associated events in their official capacity.

A breakdown of the personal expenses paid to or on behalf of the Trustees in 2022/23 is shown below.

TravelSubsistenceAccommodationMiscellaneousTotal
£6,286.29 £1,155.00 £1,090.70 Nil £8,531.99

A breakdown of additional expenditure paid directly by the University on behalf of Trustees in 2022/23 is shown below.

TravelSubsistenceAccommodationTrainingMiscellaneousTotal
£739.05 £392.86 £3,740.99 Nil £12.47 £4,885.37

Supporting committees

Membership opportunities

Members are appointed for fixed periods. When vacancies occur, the University is keen to recruit new members who can make a similarly positive contribution to the future development of the institution.

Candidates for appointment to the Board or its committees should be prepared to commit time in applying their skills and experience to the governance of the University and, in line with its strategic aims, be proactive in putting forward the University's case as regional, national and international ambassadors.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Board or its committees, you should contact the Clerk to the Board of Governors for further information.