Role description: Chair of Committee

Additional responsibilities to being a Member of Council

1. Leadership

1.1 – The Chair is responsible for the leadership of the Committee. As Chair of its meetings, they are responsible for ensuring that the necessary business of the Committee is carried on efficiently, effectively, and in a manner appropriate for the proper conduct of public business and that regular and satisfactory reports are presented to Council.

1.2 – The Chair should ensure that the Committee acts in accordance with the University’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and with the University’s internal rules and regulations, and should seek advice from the Secretary to Council in any case of uncertainty.

1.3 – The Chair should ensure that the Committee exercises collective responsibility, that is to say, that decisions are taken corporately by all members acting as a body. The Chair will encourage all members to work together effectively, contributing their skills and expertise as appropriate, and will seek to build consensus among them.

2. Standards

2.1 – The Chair is responsible for ensuring that the Committee conducts itself in accordance with accepted standards of behaviour in public life, embracing selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

3. The Business of the university

3.1 – The Chair should at all times act in accordance with established protocols for the use of delegated authority or Chair’s Action. All instances of the use of delegated authority or Chair’s Action should be reported to the next meeting of the Committee.

3.2 – The Chair should endeavour to establish a constructive and supportive but challenging working relationship with the Vice-Chancellor, recognising the proper separation between governance and executive management, and avoiding involvement in the day-to-day executive management of the University.

4. Personal

4.1 – The Chair will receive feedback on their performance as Chair annually from the Chair of Council as a part of an annual effectiveness conversation.

Person specification: Chair of Committee

To include specifications for the role of Council member plus the additional requirements outlined below.