Role description: Senior Independent Governor

The role of Senior Independent Governor (SIG) is designed to support and enhance good governance in the operation of Council and its sub-committees. The position is designed to support the work of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and members of Council through acting as an informal sounding board and source of advice. In performing their duties, the SIG will need to be sensitive to the potential for their position to conflict with the role of Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary to Council.

The role of the SIG is different to the Vice Chair. While the Vice Chair is part of the leadership of Council, and may deputise for the Chair as required, the SIG is an experienced sounding board for the Chair and other Council Members. The role of the SIG is primarily informal and advisory.

Criteria for appointment as SIG

1. The SIG is appointed by Council on the recommendation of Governance and Nominations Committee.
2. The SIG shall be an External Member of Council.
3. The SIG shall be an ex officio member of the Governance and Nominations Committee

To perform their role, it is expected that the SIG will have considerable experience of governance. Ideally, they will have held the position of Chair in a governance position.

So as to safeguard the independence of the SIG they will not hold another substantive position on Council, i.e. the SIG shall not be the Chair of Council, the Vice-Chair of Council, or the Chair of one of the Council sub-committees. However, the SIG may be a Vice-Chair of one of the Council sub-committees.

Functions of the SIG

1. To be a sounding board for the Chair and Secretary on good governance and the operation of Council in an informal and advisory capacity.
2. To be available to any member of Council (full and co-opted members including external, staff and student members) and members of the Executive to understand any issues and concerns about the operation and/or conduct of Council or its sub-committees which contact through the normal channels of Chair, Vice Chancellor, Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee or other Executive members has failed to resolve.
3. To listen to such concerns as raised in confidence and offer such advice and feedback as they feel appropriate. The SIG is not expected to act in response to listening to such concerns though they may, in exceptional circumstances, act as an intermediary between two or more parties.
4. To conduct the annual review of the Chair of Council, informed as appropriate by feedback from Council members, members of the Executive, and any other key stakeholders which interact with the Chair.
5. To discuss the outcome of the annual review of the Chair’s performance with the Chair, identifying areas of strength as well as improvements which could be made in their leadership of Council, and to present a report on the annual review of the Chair to Governance and Nominations Committee.
6. To undertake such other duties as may, from time-to-time, be assigned by the Council.

Support and independent advice

1. The SIG is entitled to seek the advice and services of the University Secretary and the Governance team in relation to the discharge of their duties.
2. Circumstances may arise when it will be appropriate to seek advice from independent advisers at the University’s expense. The Secretary is able to facilitate such advice as required.