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Welcome from the Chair

Thank you for expressing an interest in becoming a Student Trustee at Cardiff Met Students’ Union.

We take pride in our vision of delivering the best possible experience for every student, and our Trustees play a central role in making that vision a reality. As a Board, we are responsible for ensuring that the organisation remains focused on what matters most to students, is well governed, and delivers meaningful and measurable impact.

We are now entering an exciting phase as we begin delivering our newly launched Students’ Union Strategy. This strategy provides a clear framework for our work, setting out our ambitions around representation, community, wellbeing, and organisational sustainability.

As a Student Trustee, you will be instrumental in ensuring that this strategy is not only implemented, but that it leads to real, positive change for our members.

As a charity, we are required to operate within the framework of charity law and regulation. As a membership organisation, we must remain responsive and accountable to students. As a strategic organisation, we must ensure that we deliver on our commitments and use our resources effectively. Your role as a Trustee will sit at the heart of balancing these responsibilities.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the future direction of the Students’ Union and to develop valuable skills in leadership and governance.

Souparnika Parameswaran Student President and Chair of the Trustee Board 25/25

Cardiff Met Students’ Union Strategy 2025-2028

Organisational Chart

Trustee Board

Finance & Payroll Coordinator

SU Activities & Communities President (Elected) SU Education & Welfare

(Elected) Student Trustee (x2 Appointed) Lay Trustee (x4 Appointed) School Reps (x6 Appointed) SU Student Ofﬁcers (x7 Appointed)

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Key Information For Applicants

Recruitment Timetable

Application closes:

Shortlisting:

Notification of candidates for interview:

Interviews:

Appointments and induction:

17th April 2026 at 5pm

20th April 2026

21st April 2026

Week commencing 27th April 2026

Week commencing 4th May 2026

Additional Information

For further information on the Students’ Union (SU) and its work can be found on our website www.cardiffmetsu.co.uk

You can also contact the Chair of the Board of Trustees and SU President, Souparnika Parameswaran at sparameswarannamboothiri@cardiffmet.ac.uk .

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a statement (maximum two sides of A4) outlining:

Why you are interested

What you would bring to the role

How you align with the SU strategy

Submit your application by 17th April 2026 at 5pm.

What is a Trustee & Why do we need them?

Cardiff Met Students’ Union is a registered charity and is governed by a Board of Trustees who are collectively responsible for its management, administration, and strategic direction. As a Student Trustee, you will share legal responsibility for ensuring that the organisation operates in line with its charitable objectives and within the law.

Trustees play a crucial role in overseeing how the SU is run. This includes ensuring that resources are used responsibly, that risks are managed appropriately, and that the organisation is delivering on its strategic

priorities. Trustees are not involved in the day-to-day running of the SU, but instead focus on providing oversight, guidance, and constructive challenge to the executive team.

The role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-level decision-making while developing your understanding of governance, leadership, and organisational strategy. You will be supported throughout your time in the role, including through training and guidance from experienced Lay Trustees who bring a range of professional expertise.

Cardiff Met Students’ Union represents over 12,000 students and exists to enhance the student experience both inside and outside of the classroom. The SU provides a wide range of services, opportunities, and support, including representation, student activities, sports, societies, and advice services.

Our work is now guided by our newly developed Students’ Union Strategy, which sets out our priorities and ambitions for the coming years. This strategy focuses

About Cardiff Met SU Trading Subsidiary

on delivering impactful representation, building strong and inclusive student communities, supporting student wellbeing and success, and ensuring that the SU is sustainable and well-governed.

The Board of Trustees plays a key role in ensuring that this strategy is delivered effectively. This includes setting strategic direction, monitoring progress against agreed objectives, and ensuring that the organisation remains focused on achieving meaningful outcomes for students.

In addition to the charity, Trustees are also responsible for overseeing the SU’s wholly owned trading subsidiary, Futura Marketing and Promotions Limited. This company operates independently from the charity and exists to generate income through commercial activity, which is then reinvested into supporting the SU’s charitable aims. Trustees must therefore ensure that both the charity and its subsidiary are managed responsibly and in alignment with the overall strategy.

Governance

Under the Articles of Association, the Board of Trustees holds ultimate responsibility for the management and administration of the Students’ Union. This includes oversight of governance arrangements, financial management, and the delivery of the organisation’s strategy.

The Board has the authority to intervene in decisions where necessary, particularly where there are concerns relating to financial sustainability, legal compliance, or alignment with the SU’s charitable objectives. This ensures that the organisation operates responsibly and in the best interests of its members.

Trustees are appointed for a defined term and may be eligible for reappointment. The Board has the ability to delegate certain responsibilities to committees or individuals; however, overall accountability remains with the Trustees collectively.

The day-to-day management of the SU is delegated to the Chief Executive, who is responsible for leading the staff team and implementing the strategic direction set by the Board. The Chief Executive reports regularly to the Board, ensuring that Trustees are able to monitor performance and provide appropriate support and challenge.

Board Structure Sub-Committees

The Board is made up of a combination of elected officers, student trustees, and external lay trustees. This structure ensures that student voice is central to decisionmaking, while also benefiting from external expertise and independent perspective.

The Board is supported by a number of sub-committees, which focus on key areas such as finance, audit and risk, people and culture, policy, and appointments. These committees enable more detailed scrutiny and discussion of specific areas, supporting effective decision-making at Board level.

Role of the Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Students’ Union and is collectively responsible for ensuring that the organisation is well run, financially sustainable, and delivering on its purpose.

Trustees are required to act in the best interests of the SU at all times, ensuring that it fulfils its charitable objectives and complies with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements. This includes charity law, company law, and any other applicable legislation.

A key responsibility of the Board is to oversee the delivery of the SU’s strategy. Trustees must ensure that clear goals and objectives are in place, that progress is monitored effectively, and that the organisation is able to demonstrate impact.

This involves reviewing performance data, asking constructive questions, and holding the executive team to account.

Trustees are also responsible for ensuring that the SU’s finances are managed appropriately, that risks are identified and mitigated, and that strong governance processes are in place. In doing so, they help to protect the long-term sustainability and reputation of the organisation.

All Trustees are expected to contribute actively to discussions, provide constructive challenge, and support collective decisionmaking. They must also adhere to the Nolan Principles of Public Life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.

Student Trustee Person Specification

Eligible to be a charity trustee and company director

Current Cardiff Met student for the duration of the role

Interest in governance, strategy, or leadership

Ability to think critically and analyse information

Strong communication skills

Interest in working with and monitoring a strategy

Interest in areas such as finance, HR, legal, or governance

Understanding of trustee responsibilities

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The role of Student Trustee requires attendance at a minimum of four Board meetings per year. In addition to attending meetings, Trustees are expected to prepare in advance by reading papers and considering the issues to be discussed.

There is also be opportunities to participate in sub-committees, and to attend key events such as the Annual General Meeting and SU award ceremonies. While the time commitment is manageable alongside studies, it is important that Trustees are able to engage fully with the role.

Time Commitment Statutory Restrictions

• Being a Trustee is a position of legal responsibility, and there are certain restrictions on who can hold the role. Individuals are not eligible to act as a trustee if they:

Are under the age of 18

Are disqualified from acting as a company director

Have certain unspent criminal convictions (particularly those involving dishonesty or deception)

Are bankrupt or subject to arrangements with creditors

Have previously been removed as a trustee by a court or the Charity Commission due to misconduct or mismanagement

Are subject to additional legal disqualifications (including certain offences such as bribery, money laundering, or being on the sex offenders register)

As part of the application process, candidates will be required to confirm that they are eligible to act as a trustee and may be asked to provide references.

Valuing Diversity

As an organisation that represents a diverse student body, we are committed to ensuring that our Board reflects the community we serve. We actively encourage applications from students of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where all Trustees can contribute fully.

Support & Development

We recognise that this may be your first experience of governance or a trustee role. All appointed Student Trustees will receive a full induction, along with ongoing training and support throughout their term. This will include guidance on your legal responsibilities as a trustee, understanding financial and strategic information, and developing confidence in contributing to Board discussions.

Trustees will also have opportunities to learn from and work alongside experienced Lay Trustees and SU staff, providing a supportive environment in which to build knowledge and skills.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to develop transferable skills in leadership, strategic thinking, and decision-making, which can be valuable for future employment and personal development.

Remuneration

The role of Student Trustee is voluntary and therefore is not salaried. However, no Trustee should be out of pocket as a result of undertaking the role. Reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out Trustee duties will be reimbursed in line with the SU’s expenses policy.

Cardiff Met Students’ Union is a company limited by guarantee. Trustees are therefore also company directors and are covered by appropriate liability insurance for the duration of their term of office.

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