The University of St Andrews, Scotland’s first university and the third oldest in the English-speaking world, has a strong international reputation for research and teaching excellence.

The Court, which is the University’s governing body, is seeking expressions of interest from suitably experienced individuals from all sectors of the community interested in serving as the new Senior Governor to succeed Sir Ewan Brown, who will demit office in spring 2016, and to fill forthcoming vacancies as non-executive members. Court would particularly welcome interest from highly-skilled individuals with experience of leadership in significant organisations or companies.

The Senior Governor provides leadership within Court and its committees, represents the University at meetings with external bodies and works with the Principal and Vice-Chancellor to shape and implement Court’s work, ensuring that it maintains the highest standards of governance. The Senior Governor will be required to build and maintain an open, constructive and appropriately challenging relationship with the Principal and have the confidence of Court members. Applications for this position will be considered from both current non-executive members of the University Court and individuals not currently on Court. Applicants to either role should be familiar with the demands of board-level governance and trusteeship. As well as a keen interest in the Higher Education sector, experience in finance, law, business transformation and property are particularly desirable skills. Expressions of interest from women and other groups who are currently under-represented on Court are also especially welcome. The appointments would be for an initial four-year period and would begin in November 2015 and July 2016.

Members of Court must be able to attend four meetings annually and participate in Court committees. They also play a visible role in key events in the University calendar, such as Graduation ceremonies. Neither the Senior Governor nor non-executive Court members are remunerated, but appropriate expenses are paid, and there are many rewards from contributing to the strategy and governance of one of Scotland's most respected institutions, and one of the world’s leading universities.

To express interest in the position of Senior Governor and/or as a non-executive member of Court, please complete the form available from the webpage at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/about/governance/court/court-appointments/  and submit it, together with a CV and supporting statement, to Mr Alastair Merrill, Vice-Principal (Governance & Planning), University of St Andrews, College Gate, North Street, St Andrews KY16 9AJ no later than 17 August 2015.

Informal enquiries about the role may be made directly to Alastair Merrill on Tel: 01334 462555.

Interviews with short-listed applicants will take place in early autumn 2015.

Please quote ref:  SGNEM2015

Further Particulars: FPs Senior Governor.doc FPs Non Executive Members.doc

Office of the Principal
Start Date:  As soon as possible
Interviews:  early autumn