Our Leadership and Governance

Our governors play an active and important role in the life of the University, supporting us in achieving our ambitions, and safeguarding and enhancing the University’s reputation, performance and sustainability.

The Board of Governors has specific responsibilities, as set out in the Instrument and Articles of Government (PDF). Section 3(i) states that the Board of Governors shall be responsible for:

• the determination of the educational character and mission of the University and for oversight of its activities;
• the effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution, and the Corporation and for safeguarding their assets;
• approving annual estimates of income and expenditure;
• the appointment, grading, assignment, appraisal, suspension, dismissal and
• determination of the pay and conditions of service of holders of senior posts; and
• setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff.

In particular the Board will:

• approve the mission and strategic vision of the institution, long-term business plans, key performance indicators (KPIs) and annual budgets, and ensure that these meet the interests of stakeholders
• appoint the head of the institution as chief executive of the institution and put in place suitable arrangements for monitoring his/her performance
• ensure the establishment and monitoring of systems of control and accountability, including financial and operational controls and risk assessment, clear procedures for handling internal grievances and for managing conflicts of interest
• monitor institutional performance against plans and approved KPIs, which, where possible and appropriate, be benchmarked against other institutions

University of Staffordshire employs 1,200 staff across our campuses in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and London.

The Vice-Chancellor and Executive report to the Board of Governors and its sub-committees

The Vice-Chancellor also leads Staffordshire University Academies Trust (SUAT). University of Staffordshire has a number of wholly owned subsidiaries.

These include:

• Unitemps – this works as a franchised model of operation, sourcing employment opportunities for current students and alumni.
• University of Staffordshire Services Ltd – this employs the majority of our professional services and academic staff since 2018.
• SU Residential services Ltd is a holding company incorporated specifically for the new student village accommodation. The company (SU Residential) will hold and control the UoS investment in Student Campus Living

UNISON and UCU are the recognised trade unions, representing staff on employment matters. The University has a strong working relationship with both unions.