Join the University of Plymouth’s Board of Governors as the institution positions itself as a catalyst for positive change, equipping students and engaging in research that contributes to a sustainable and equitable future.
Who we are
Located on the beautiful South Coast of England, the University of Plymouth offers a vibrant city experience steeped in rich maritime history. Surrounded by natural beauty, it provides students with unique opportunities for research and outdoor activities. The University is recognised for its research excellence, commitment to sustainability, strong industry links, and innovative teaching.
The University is seeking senior strategic leaders to join its Board of Governors, bringing expertise and experience in audit, finance, higher education, and the healthcare sector.
About the role
Time commitment: 25 days per year
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 strong 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.
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.
Who we are looking for
The University of Plymouth is looking to appoint several experienced and committed senior leaders to join the Board of Governors and collaborate with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Davies, and his senior team in shaping the University’s strategic direction.
We seek talented, connected, inspired and passionate people who care about the University, our students, and the community, to join us in our aim of advancing knowledge and transforming lives.
As a member of the Board of Governors at the University of Plymouth, you will leverage your experience and expertise to provide challenge, scrutiny, and support, ensuring the success, growth, and achievement of the University’s strategic priorities.
We seek candidates with expertise in the following areas:
- Audit: Partners or senior executives from audit firms or industry.
- Finance: Partners or senior executives from finance firms or industry.
- Higher Education: Individuals who bring an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative approach to the sector.
- Health Care: Senior executives with experience across various healthcare settings and systems.
This is an excellent opportunity to bring your expertise to a vibrant university, helping to shape the future of education and create a lasting impact. If you are a senior leader with a passion for strategic governance and a commitment to fostering a thriving academic community, we invite you to apply.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Olivia Robson | olivia@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07903 924770
Drew Richardson-Walsh via Abbie Johnson | abbie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07398 140 818
Welcome from Chair of the Board of Governors
Thank you for your interest in the University of Plymouth.
Over recent years, the University has established a strong position within UK higher education, combining a unique contribution to the society, culture and economy of Plymouth and the wider region, with broad academic coverage and genuinely world-leading research in subjects such as marine engineering, cybersecurity and environmental science. The University is led with distinction, and benefits from a highly committed workforce across all areas.
The Board of Governors has ultimate responsibility for the wellbeing and continued success of the University. It supports the Vice-Chancellor and his senior Executive team, in part through providing constructive challenge, particularly at the strategic level. In doing so, the Board benefits from its diverse skills and experience, bringing a breadth of perspectives – commercial, financial, governmental and local – to complement the views of Executive, employee and student members.
The context for English higher education continues to be challenging, making the role of the Board and its members as important as ever. If you feel able and enthusiastic to bring distinctive expertise and commitment to the work of the Board of Governors of the University of Plymouth, then we would be delighted to hear from you.
Simon Gaskell
Chair of the Board of Governors
University of Plymouth
About the University of Plymouth
The University of Plymouth’s mission of ‘Advancing Knowledge and Transforming Lives’ focuses on delivering high-quality education and conducting impactful research that addresses regional and global challenges. This mission emphasises cross-disciplinary collaboration with a strong focus on sustainability to make a positive impact, both regionally and globally.
Our Vision: We will be a broad-based, research-intensive university, open to all who can benefit from a University of Plymouth education, and delivering excellent interdisciplinary research, experiential education and civic engagement.
Core strengths
The University of Plymouth is committed to maintaining and expanding its international leadership in marine and maritime sustainability. With its rich maritime history dating back to its foundation as a College of Navigation, the University excels in marine research across a range of disciplines, including Marine Biology, Ocean Science, Marine Engineering, History, Law, and Business. The university has received three Queen’s Anniversary Prizes, two of which were awarded for its marine research strengths.
Plymouth is also a leader in health education – the largest provider of healthcare courses in the south-west, and the first modern University to have both a medical school and a school of dentistry. It has world-class research strengths in areas including brain and neurological disease, and health inequalities, with a particular focus on coastal communities. Interdisciplinary research also links marine biology with health discoveries, such as novel antibiotics.
Partnerships and Collaborations
The University of Plymouth collaborates with both educational and commercial organisations to enhance the opportunities for students and institutions in the UK and worldwide. We develop strategic relationships with partner institutions that have significant strategic importance or potential to the university, both in the UK and within Transnational Education (TNE). In response to the evolving higher education landscape, we are also focused on ensuring maximum mutual benefit with regional further education colleges.
With strong educational programs, world-class research facilities, and local and global partnerships, the University of Plymouth is uniquely positioned to build on its broad expertise and continue to advance regional priorities.
Our Core Principles
- Quality: striving for the highest quality in everything we do.
- One Team: working, planning for, and delivering a shared vision, underpinned by a strong sense of collegiality.
- Reputation: building our institutional reputation through confidence in our pioneering contributions, excellence in education and research, socio-economic impact, and thought leadership.
- Sustainability: sustainability in our finances, reputation, services, partnerships, environmental performance and global contribution.
University of Plymouth 2030
Our 2030 strategy focuses on a future of excellence and is underpinned by three priorities:
Priority one:
- Deliver excellent education and research.
- Ensure an innovative education portfolio.
- Deliver programme excellence.
- Support strong research foundations and build research power.
Priority two:
- Nurture outstanding students and staff.
- Provide a distinctive South West coast experience, preparing graduates for the world.
- Attract, develop and retain excellent staff.
Priority three:
- Drive global connectivity that makes a difference.
- Achieve influence and impact through significant industry and business partnerships.
- Maximise reach through strategic and exciting institutional partnerships.
Learn more about the University of Plymouth
Accessibility information
The University of Plymouth is a Disability Confident Employer. Should you require any reasonable adjustments throughout any stage of the interview process, please contact vacancies@plymouth.ac.uk prior to your interview.
Our accessibility provisions include:
- 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 interviews.
- Working patterns and locations can be adjusted.
We have a number of EDI initiatives in place, full details of which can be found on our EDI pages.
Equality, diversity and inclusion – University of Plymouth
Applicants with a disability are invited to contact us in confidence at any point during the recruitment process to discuss steps that could be taken to overcome operational difficulties presented by the role, or if any adjustments or support are required regarding the recruitment process.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Olivia Robson | olivia@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07903 924770
Drew Richardson-Walsh via Abbie Johnson | abbie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07398 140 818
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 — Independent Members of the Board of Governors ” 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.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Olivia Robson | olivia@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07903 924770
Drew Richardson-Walsh via Abbie Johnson | abbie@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07398 140 818
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 have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010 and can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification, please let us know.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact Olivia Robson. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Wednesday 8th October
Candidates informed of outcome: Tuesday 14th October 2025
Interviews: Thursday 23rd October (afternoon) and Friday 24th October (all day)
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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