Our members: vice-chancellors and principals
Our members are the vice-chancellors or principals (executive heads) of universities in the UK.
Our services to members include:
Members are invited to meet four times a year, including at the Members’ Annual Conference every September.
Universities UK is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status and is financed mainly through subscription from its member institutions.
Board
The 24-person Board is elected by our members. It includes the president; vice-presidents for Scotland, Wales, and England and Northern Ireland; the treasurer and the chairs of the Policy Networks. The president nominates up to six other members to serve on the board.
The board is our main decision-making body and meets five times a year. It focuses on UK-wide issues and those issues in the constituent nations of the UK that have UK-wide implications or interest.
Executive Committee
Our executive comprises the president, three vice-presidents and the treasurer. It meets four times a year and reports to the Board. It acts on behalf of the Board to support and advise the chief executive; to undertake day-to-day monitoring, coordinating, planning and liaison functions; and to authorise action as required between board meetings.
President
Our president Julia Goodfellow is elected from and by the membership of Universities UK for two academic years and is only eligible for re-election by special resolution. The president chairs all Universities UK Members' Meetings, the Board and the Executive Committee.
The current President is Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, whose term of office began on 1 August 2015 and ends on 31 July 2017.
Senior management team
Nicola Dandridge is our Chief Executive and was appointed by the Board to be responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of Universities UK.
Nicola is supported by a senior management team.
Networks and groups
Our networks and groups guide the development of our policies. They are made up of vice-chancellors and work with external experts and contacts to promote universities' interests to a wide audience.
They build and strengthen links with government agencies, professional bodies, industry and commerce, other education sectors and international audiences.
The current networks are:
- Student (Interim Chair: Professor Paul Layzell, Royal Holloway, University of London)
- Research (Chair: Professor Sir Ian Diamond, University of Aberdeen)
- Funding (Chair: Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell DBE, University of Bath)
- Innovation and Growth (Interim Chair: Professor Quintin McKellar, University of Hertfordshire)
- International (Chair: Professor Sir Steve Smith, University of Exeter)
- Health Education and Research (Chair: Professor Steve West - University of the West of England, Bristol)
- Longer Term Strategy (Chair: Professor Paul O'Prey, University of Roehampton)
- Teacher Education Advisory Group (Chair: Dr John Cater, Edge Hill University)
- Specialist Institutions Forum (Chair: Nigel Carrington, University of the Arts London)
The networks report to the Board through each of the elected chairs.
