Purpose

The University Executive Board (UEB) advises and supports the Vice-Chancellor and President in the discharge of their responsibility to Council for maintaining and promoting the good order of the University.

UEB is constituted to support the Vice-Chancellor and President in exercising the executive authority delegated by Council and in discharging their responsibilities for the effective leadership and management of the University.

UEB is the University's principal executive decision-making body, providing collective executive leadership and ensuring the effective delivery of Council-approved strategy.

UEB members collectively work to:

• deliver the University’s Strategy
  
• embody the University’s values and shape its culture through their leadership and example
  
• be proactive in the promotion of the University’s reputation and long-term sustainability
  
• exercise collective responsibility for executive decision-making, acting in the interests of the University as a whole.

UEB retains oversight of matters within its remit. Where authority is delegated to named officers under the Executive Scheme of Delegation, UEB will receive assurance that those responsibilities are being exercised appropriately.

Responsibilities

The University Executive Board (UEB) is responsible for:

1. Developing and reviewing the University Strategy and associated strategic plans, for subsequent Senate and Council approval as appropriate; and driving their delivery through integrated performance monitoring and the oversight of institutional performance.
2. Overseeing the University's financial planning framework by monitoring financial performance; reviewing planning assumptions and outcomes, resource allocation and investment prioritisation; and scrutinising major transactions and significant investment decisions for approval or recommendation to Council or Finance Committee as required.
3. Overseeing the University's organisational capability, workforce planning, leadership capacity and resource alignment to ensure delivery of the institutional strategy.
4. Overseeing the strategic management, development and utilisation of the University's estate and physical infrastructure in support of institutional priorities.
5. Providing oversight of the University’s compliance with external statutory and regulatory requirements, and the delivery of the University’s Policy Framework.
6. Promoting an organisational culture that reflects the University's values and supports effective leadership, accountability, equity, diversity and inclusion.
7. Maintaining effective two-way communication with faculties, departments and professional services, ensuring effective coordination across academic and professional services portfolios and supporting the delivery of the University's education, research and broader strategic objectives.
   
8. Ensuring effective engagement with the Students' Union, enabling student perspectives to be considered in executive decision-making and delivery of strategic objectives.
9. Engaging with external stakeholders and partners to inform institutional strategy, identify opportunities for collaboration and influence, and support the University's understanding of emerging risks, opportunities and sector developments.
10. Undertaking horizon-scanning and scenario-planning to identify, assess and prepare for external risks, opportunities and emerging trends that may affect the University.
11. Providing Council and its committees with appropriate assurance regarding institutional performance, risk management, regulatory compliance, financial sustainability and delivery of strategic objectives.
12. Establishing and overseeing the University's executive governance structure by reviewing delegated decision-making arrangements and receiving assurance, recommendations and risk escalations from Executive Boards and joint Senate/Executive Committees.
13. Considering how the conduct of its business could affect compliance with the University’s free speech duties.

Risk

UEB acts as an Executive Risk Management Group (ERMG) to ensure the risk management framework effectively supports delivery of the University's strategy. This includes oversight of the Institutional Risk Register and approval of risk reporting to the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee and Council.

Reporting Relationships

UEB is responsible for the establishment and dis-establishment of Executive Boards and other groups within the University's executive governance structure. It retains oversight of responsibilities delegated to named officers within the Executive Scheme of Delegation.

UEB receives regular assurance reports from Executive Boards to monitor delivery of delegated responsibilities, oversees progress against institutional priorities, to satisfy itself that delegated authority is being exercised appropriately and within approved limits.

Executive Boards and Joint Senate/Executive Committees shall escalate significant risks, cross-institutional issues, competing priorities and matters outside their delegated authority to UEB for consideration.

Procedural Rules

Frequency of meetings

The UEB will normally meet on a fortnightly basis.

A full schedule of meeting dates can be accessed here. 

Powers

The Executive is headed by the Vice-Chancellor, whose role is established under article 7 of the Charter. Under section 5.2 of the Statutes, the Vice-Chancellor has general responsibility to Council for the day-to-day running of the University. The Vice-Chancellor is supported and advised by a team of senior leaders who together form the University Executive Board. The Vice-Chancellor may delegate executive authority to named officers in accordance with the Executive Scheme of Delegation.

Decision-making outside of meetings

Where an urgent decision is required between meetings, the Vice-Chancellor may act following consultation with relevant UEB members. Such decisions shall be recorded and reported formally to the next meeting.

Membership

Ex-officio members

• Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President (Chair)
• Professor Marcus Munafò, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost (delegated authority to chair meetings in the absence of the VC)
• Professor Manuel Barcia, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement)
• Professor Jianzhong Wu, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
• Professor Momna Hejmadi, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)
• Professor Cassie Wilson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience and Sport)
• Kirsty Shaw, Chief Operating Officer
• Ian Blenkharn, University Secretary & Registrar
• Richard Brooks, Director of Human Resources
• Corinne Evans, Executive Director (External Relations)
• Dr Jon Hunt, Executive Director of Innovation
• Lydia Lee, Director of Advancement
• Martin Williams, Director of Finance
  
• Professor Steve Brammer, Dean of the School of Management
• Professor Duncan Craig, Dean of the Faculty of Science
• Professor Ian Craddock, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Design
  
• Professor Deborah Wilson, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  

In attendance

• Helena Barrell, Governance Partner

Version Information

UEB will review its effectiveness and these Terms of Reference annually, making recommendations for improvement where appropriate.

Date of Last Review: 18th August 2026