Inclusive Boards is delighted to support University of Birmingham Guild of Students in their search for their next Chair of Trustees.
The Guild of Students plays a key and pivotal role in the student experience at Birmingham, offering a range of services and activities which not only help to attract students to the University, but which also contribute to a vibrant student experience, as well as supporting the wider sense of community and belonging.
The breadth of the Guild’s service and activity portfolio is comparable with other large students’ unions in the Russell Group and as an organisation the Guild is well regarded within the sector. As leaders in the field, the Guild has paved the way in key areas such as representation, student groups and societies, social opportunities, events and activities.
About the Chair opportunity
This is a brilliant opportunity to join an award-winning, multifaceted, and complex charity as our next Chair of Trustees. The Trustee Board is collectively responsible for overseeing the affairs of the Guild and ensuring that the Guild works for and with its membership in all that it does. The Chair’s role is to steward this at the highest level. They act as a role model for the Board, maintaining the highest standards of good governance, with a focus on strategy, risk, and long-term sustainability.
They must ensure a culture of inclusion, trust, and openness where all Trustees contribute their views and expertise, and champion student democracy. The Chair will work closely with the President and Chief Executive Officer, supporting them to achieve the aims and objectives of the Guild’s strategy and vision, and ensure the Guild meets the needs of its diverse student membership.
We are in the final year of the Guild’s 2022-27 strategy (aligned to the University’s priorities under its strategic framework, ‘Birmingham 2030’), making this a formative time as we look beyond 2027, in a challenging time for the Higher Education sector. We are seeking skilled leadership to continue to support us to deliver excellence and are, therefore, looking for an experienced non-executive, with demonstrable experience of supporting organisations at Board level.
The Guild values applications from a wide range of backgrounds that are reflective of the full diversity of Birmingham’s community, in particular from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnicities as we seek to continually enhance diversity within our governance structures.
We would encourage candidates with current or previous experience in charities or the public sector, with experience of chairing meetings and of non-executive leadership, to apply. A connection to the Guild or University and/or to the West Midlands area is also beneficial, but not essential. Full details are outlined in the role description and person specification.
An information pack about the role is available to download here.
The Role Description & Person Specification is available to download here.
How to apply
Closing date for applications: Monday 21st September 2026 at 5pm
To apply for this position, follow this link to the Guild’s website and complete the application form for the position you are interested in, noting the role description and person specification. Please ensure that your application fully addresses the criteria in the role description (available on the same web page).
If you wish to discuss any adjustments that you feel you may need in order to be able to complete the application process, or to be able to carry out this role, please contact: hrteam@guild.bham.ac.uk
Shortlisting
After the close of applications, the Appointments Panel will receive the anonymised applications and shortlist those that will be taken forward for interview. The panel will shortlist each application based on the criteria as outlined in the role description and person specification.
Interview
Candidates shortlisted for interview will be informed on or around Wednesday 30 September 2026.
Interviews are scheduled to take place in-person, at the Guild of Students, in early October. Each interview will comprise a short tour of the Guild building, the formal interview and opportunities to ask the panel questions.
Note: Dates and deadlines may be subject to change and candidates will be informed in advance should this happen. We will do everything we can do to accommodate your availability to attend an interview, within the limits of the panel’s availability.
Selection & Appointment
After interviews have concluded, Appointments Panel will make their selection and contact the successful candidate to offer them the role.
The successful candidate will be invited to attend the Guild for one or more induction sessions with the Guild’s Chief Executive and the outgoing Chair of Trustees, who is due to conclude their term in office in October 2026.
It is intended that the successful candidate will attend the Board meeting on Monday 2 November 2026.
If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need any additional information or would like to arrange an informal discussion, please contact hrteam@guild.bham.ac.uk
Please note: Inclusive Boards is supporting the promotion of this opportunity and applications will be made directly to University of Birmingham Guild of Students. You can contact Inclusive Boards by emailing BGuild@inclusiveboards.co.uk or calling 0203 963 8802.