Join the University of Plymouth's Board of Governors and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a globally connected university committed to advancing knowledge, transforming lives and delivering academic excellence.
Who we are
Located on the beautiful South Coast of England, the University of Plymouth is a dynamic institution with a distinctive civic mission and an international outlook. Renowned for its research excellence, commitment to sustainability, innovative teaching and strong partnerships with industry, the University plays a vital role in advancing knowledge, driving regional growth and transforming lives across the South West and beyond.
This is a pivotal moment in the University’s evolution. With the appointment of a new Chair, David Noyes, and the launch of a refreshed 2030 Strategy, the University is entering an ambitious new chapter. Building on its mission of Advancing Knowledge and Transforming Lives, the University is focused on strengthening its civic impact, responding to the evolving skills agenda, driving regional prosperity and expanding its international reach.
The University is seeking an exceptional senior leader to join its Board of Governors, with significant experience in higher education or further education with substantial higher education provision. The successful candidate will bring expertise in academic quality, standards and assurance, providing strategic insight and constructive challenge to support the University’s continued success and delivery of its ambitions.
About the role
Governance at the University of Plymouth exercises accountability and oversight, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. It also prioritises effective decision-making and the efficient implementation of those decisions. Through good and impactful governance, we maximise institutional performance and success.
The Board of Governors is composed of accomplished, strategic professionals from a wide range of fields, backgrounds and expertise, all united by one goal: to ensure the University thrives. In thriving, we will achieve our strategic objectives and continue to deliver excellence in education and research.
As a Governor, you will play a key role in supporting the University’s continued success, working collaboratively with fellow Governors and senior leaders to shape strategic direction and ensure effective governance. You will provide thoughtful oversight, constructive challenge and expert insight, helping to safeguard academic quality, standards and the University’s long-term ambitions. Drawing on your own experience and expertise, you will contribute to informed decision-making and support the University’s mission to advance knowledge and transform lives.
The University of Plymouth is an independent higher education corporation established under the Education Reform Act 1988. We are also an exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011. The Office for Students (OfS) serves as the principal regulator for universities that are exempt charities.
The Board is comprised of 15 members, predominantly independent governors. It also includes the Vice-Chancellor and three staff Governors, as well as two Student Union Faculty Presidents from the sabbatical team.
The independent governors bring a wealth of expertise from a broad range of sectors, including law, finance, the creative and cultural industries, maritime, international business, and corporate governance. Their diverse experience provides valuable strategic oversight and supports the University’s long-term success.
Who we are looking for
The University of Plymouth is seeking to appoint an experienced and committed senior leader to join its Board of Governors, working in partnership with incoming Chair, David Noyes, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Davies, and fellow Governors to help shape the University’s strategic direction and long-term success.
We are seeking a candidate who is passionate about the role of higher education and can bring significant experience, insight and perspective to the Board. You will have the ability to engage with complex strategic issues, offer constructive challenge and contribute to effective decision-making. With a commitment to academic excellence and institutional success, you will use your expertise to support the University in achieving its ambitions for its students, staff and wider community.
We are particularly interested in hearing from those with significant strategic leadership experience in higher education, or within further education where they have had a substantial higher education provision. The successful candidate will bring an understanding of academic quality, standards and assurance, alongside experience of institutional governance, regulatory frameworks and educational excellence. Whether gained through executive or non-executive leadership, your expertise will enable you to make a meaningful contribution to the University’s continued success and future development.
Time commitment
As a Governor, you will be expected to dedicate approximately 25 days per year to the role. The Board meets six times annually, with each meeting lasting around three and a half hours. In addition, Governors are expected to serve on at least one Board Committee and are encouraged to participate in key University events, including graduation ceremonies, strategy days and other engagement opportunities across the institution.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
Welcome from the Chair
Dear Candidate,
We are delighted that you are considering this opportunity to join the Board at the University of Plymouth, and we want to thank you for your interest in the role and the University itself.
As Members of the Board, we are all enormously proud of our university and the successes it has achieved in recent years. Plymouth is a dynamic institution, drawing upon a rich history and heritage of teaching, research and enterprise, with a mission to advance knowledge and transform lives.
Rooted in Southwest England, the University is an active leader and partner in the health of the region and its economic, technological and cultural development.
At the same time, it is a truly global university, recruiting students to come from around the world to study here as well as delivering Plymouth degrees to thousands more in their home countries.
The University is well led and well managed. Its finances are sound, having generated surpluses for many years, with a modest surplus expected as the out-turn for the 2025/26 academic year. In addition, the University has managed to invest significantly in its infrastructure over the last decade, for the benefit of students and staff – including completing more than £100 million of new developments in the last three years – without accruing any significant debt. However, we also recognise that the university sector in the UK is facing significant headwinds — and it is clear that the sector will need to adapt in order to continue to thrive.
As the most senior body of the University, the Board of Governors is responsible for approval of the university’s strategic plan – recently refreshed to ensure it addresses current challenges and opportunities – and maintaining a broad oversight of the University’s activities — and, ultimately, the solvency of the institution and the safeguarding of its reputation and assets.
As a member of our Board, you will be responsible, along with the University Executive Group, for being a part of successfully navigating the University through what we believe will be choppy waters in the years ahead.
We are therefore looking for a Governor with significant, senior, higher education leadership experience. Ideally, this will include a thorough understanding of quality assurance and enhancement alongside leadership and business acumen.
In this microsite, you will find information about the University, the role of Governors and the qualities we are seeking. We hope it inspires you to consider joining us on this journey.
If you have questions about any aspect of this opportunity or wish to have an informal discussion about your application, we encourage you to contact Olivia Robson at Peridot, who has been appointed to lead the search for our new Independent Governor.
Yours sincerely,
David Noyes
Chair, on behalf of the University of Plymouth’s Board of Governors.
About us
A powerhouse for the peninsula and beyond.
‘Britain’s Ocean City’ is a unique and special place where Devon meets Cornwall and the UK meets the rest of the world. Home to more than 250,000 people, Plymouth is the largest city in the South West peninsula, and serves as the area’s main industrial, cultural and educational hub.
The University plays a vital role in supporting communities in the Plymouth region. In addition to fulfilling our civic responsibilities, the University has global reach through educational partnerships, research, and influence at the national and international levels.
Education and student experience.
The University continues to develop a well-established culture of excellence in teaching and learning, with a particular focus on experiential or applied learning, informed by our research. The aim is that students are hands-on from day one, gaining skills to be future-ready.
We have set out the desired skills and attributes of Plymouth graduates in our Plymouth Compass:
- Resilient and thriving individual
- Critical and creative learner
- Sustainable and global citizen
- Competent and confident professional
Research, partnerships and innovation.
Much of our University’s research is focused on the strategically important areas of the marine economy and environment, defence, food security and energy security, as well as delivering against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The University has globally recognised expertise in areas including microplastic pollution, offshore renewable energy, maritime cybersecurity, advanced marine technology, and brain research, complemented by new investment into our emerging expertise in agri-tech. In the Research Excellence Framework 2021 results, 78% of our submission was assessed as either 4* (world-leading) or 3* (internationally excellent).
Strategy 2030.
As part of our strategy refresh in 2026, we will in future be focussing on our globally attested strengths to meet real-world challenges and national needs.
The University is also pivotal in supporting the creation and growth of local businesses, as well as driving transformational change in the economic fortunes of Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall through our civic partnerships.
As one of Plymouth’s four ‘anchor institutions’ (alongside Plymouth City Council, Babcock and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust) and a key player in Team Plymouth, the University is well placed to drive innovation and maximise the opportunities presented by the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, development of offshore renewable energy in the Celtic Sea, and dramatically increased Government funding, including the multi-billion-pound programme of investment in the Devonport Dockyard and Plymouth’s new Defence Growth Deal.
Learn more about us
Accessibility information
We understand that different members of the community have different access needs and have made some modifications to the way we do business to accommodate people from diverse communities and abilities.
The University of Plymouth is a Disability Confident Employer. Should you require any reasonable adjustments throughout any stage of the interview process, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners.
We offer the following amenities:
- Step free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation
- Accessibility dogs are welcome
- Interviews can be held in meeting rooms that support hearing loops
- Papers and materials can be presented in different formats
- A sign language interpreter can be accessed for interview
- Working patterns and locations can be adjusted
Further information.
We have a number of EDI initiatives in place, full details of which can be found on our EDI pages.
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: University of Plymouth — Governor” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: Monday 14th September 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Monday 21st September 2026
Interviews: Monday 28th September 2026, afternoon
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and University of Plymouth are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
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