UWS Students’ Union is seeking External Trustees to join its Board.

This is an opportunity to contribute to the governance and strategic direction of a student-led charity at a significant point in its development. We are building on a period of strong performance, democratic reform and high student engagement, while preparing to develop our next Strategic Plan.

Our members are students at the University of the West of Scotland, Scotland’s leading widening access university. We are therefore seeking trustees with senior-level experience and strategic insight, who are motivated by social impact, equity and improving outcomes for students.

About the role

External Trustees support the governance, oversight and long-term sustainability of the Students’ Union.

Working alongside elected student officers, student trustees and staff, you will:

• Contribute to setting strategic direction and monitoring progress
• Provide independent judgement and constructive challenge
• Support effective financial oversight and risk management
• Ensure the organisation operates in line with its charitable purpose and legal obligations

Trustees are not involved in day-to-day operational management.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking individuals with significant senior leadership experience who are comfortable operating at Board or senior decision-making level.

Following a recent review of Board skills and capacity, our priority areas are:

• Finance and income generation
• Strategic planning and organisational change
• People leadership and HR
• Digital, communications or data-informed decision-making

We welcome applications from across the voluntary, public and private sectors. Experience of charity governance is beneficial but not essential.

Above all, we are looking for individuals who understand the importance of widening access to education and are motivated by supporting a diverse student community.

About UWS Students’ Union

UWS Students’ Union is a registered charity representing over 19,000 students across five campuses. We work in partnership with the University while remaining an independent organisation accountable to students.

Our members are drawn from the University of the West of Scotland, Scotland’s leading widening access university. This context shapes our work, with a strong focus on equity, student voice and ensuring all students are supported to succeed.

Trustees play a key role in ensuring our strategy, services and governance reflect the realities of students’ lives.

Time commitment

• Board meetings take place quarterly (typically evenings)
• Additional committee meetings and occasional strategic sessions

Eligibility

As a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, Trustees are both charity trustees and company directors.

Applicants must not:

• have unspent convictions involving dishonesty
• be an undischarged bankrupt
• be disqualified from acting as a company director

Recruiting New Members of the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS) Strategic Advisory Board

Scotland is taking a vital step in tackling systemic racism with the establishment of the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS).

AROS has been made possible thanks to years of work by communities and experts, and has been established to support community-led efforts to tackle racism in the public sector.

To support and guide AROS through its incubation period to December 2027, a Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) has been established to provide strong, transparent external oversight. We are now recruiting two new Board members with specific skills to join this body.

We are looking for candidates who bring knowledge, skills and experience in anti-racism in the Scottish context, alongside the qualities needed to steer, provide oversight and govern the work of the Observatory. The Board specifically requires a Board member with legal expertise.

AROS is committed to ensuring its Board reflects the communities it serves and would strongly encourage applications from all racialised communities and those with lived experience of racialisation. Previous applicants are warmly encouraged to reapply.