About London South Bank University Group
London South Bank University (LSBU) Group is an innovative family of educational institutions with over 31,000 students. Originally founded as the Borough Polytechnic Institute in 1892, it has been improving the lives of students, businesses and the community in south London and beyond ever since. The Group was established in 2019 and includes London South Bank University Southwark and London South Bank University Croydon, South Bank Colleges which consists of London South Bank Technical College and Lambeth College, South Bank University Sixth Form and South Bank University Academy. A benefit of the Group is to offer professional and technical educational pathways at all levels to help learners and students meet their full potential in their chosen discipline. LSBU Group has over 31,000 students, including 15,760 at LSBU, 797 academy students, 8,650 in further education and over 6,000 transnational students.
The Group’s mission is to deliver technical and professional education to equip students with the knowledge, skills and social capital to move into graduate employment. LSBU Group has partnerships with more than 1,500 businesses, more than a third of students are employer-sponsored, including 3,000 higher and degree apprentices; and the majority of the University’s courses are accredited by professional, statutory and regulatory bodies (PSRBs). The Group is particularly proud of its distinctive focus on widening participation, which remains central to its identity and mission.
Recent successes for the Group include:
LSBU is ranked 6th in the world for Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10) in the 2025 Times Higher Impact Rankings
LSBU graduates are the highest paid amongst all London modern universities one year after completing their course, reflecting the University’s excellent track-record delivering high quality technical and vocational education that leads to rewarding employment opportunities
LSBU’s Knowledge Exchange Framework ranking leapt 12 places into the top 50 out of 140 participating institutions. It was named University of the Year for Social Inclusion by the Daily Mail, demonstrating its commitment to breaking down barriers to opportunity
LSBU maintained a top ten world ranking for reducing inequalities in the Times Higher Impact Rankings
South Bank Colleges (SBC) received a Good Ofsted grade, with adult learning programmes – which make up 75% of the courses on offer – recognised as ‘Outstanding’
SBC opened a new £45m, first in a generation technical college LSBTC which has proved significant growth in young people and adults engaged in professional and technical education
SBC is a Worldskills centre of Excellence
With a new Vice-Chancellor recently appointed, Paul Kett, this is an exciting time to be joining the LSBU Group as the University launches its new Strategy 2030 which has a strong focus on partnerships, technology, its London presence and its pathway programme which enhances social mobility and economic opportunity. While the Group is facing financial challenges similar to most UK universities, it is led by a commercially minded Vice-Chancellor and it has a clear plan to drive the organisation forward during these turbulent times. With government attention increasingly focused on the skills agenda, and with a renewed emphasis on London, the Group and SBC are well positioned to capitalise on the opportunities ahead. SBC is also driving an exciting estates masterplan (c.£55m–£60m), alongside larger capital projects across the wider LSBU Group, making this an incredibly exciting time to join SBC and the LSBU Group.
Role specification
The Board as a whole is collectively responsible for promoting the success of the University and the overarching LSBU Group by leading and supervising its affairs. The Board is responsible for:
The effective stewardship of the University and the Group to secure its sustainability over the medium and long term
Safeguarding the mission of the University and the Group and the services it provides for the public benefit
Securing the proper and effective use of public funds and accounting to stakeholders and society for institutional performance
Fostering an educational environment that enables students to succeed
Setting the values and standards of the University and the Group, and ensuring that its obligations to its stakeholders are understood and met
The Independent Governor’s role includes:
Participating fully and actively in the meetings of the Board and its Committees
Contributing to the strategic direction of the University and the Group
Reviewing the performance of LSBU and the Group against the key performance indicators approved by the University Board
Establishing constructive working relationships with fellow governors and the Group Executive, recognising that day-to-day management is the responsibility of the Group Executive
Acting as an ambassador for LSBU Group externally
Engaging with members of the wider LSBU Group at annual strategy days and external events, which include trustees from the Boards of South Bank Colleges and South Bank Academies
Promoting the LSBU Group’s shared vision and mission
Acting in accordance with the accepted standards of behaviour in public life and LSBU Group’s values
Exercising the Board’s responsibilities in the interests of LSBU Group as a whole, rather than as a representative of any constituency, and to accept collective responsibility for decisions made by the Board
Acting fairly and impartially at all times in the interests of LSBU Group as a whole, using independent judgement and maintaining confidentiality as appropriate
Demonstrating an understanding of, and commitment to, equality and diversity, and its practical application
Person specification
As Ruth Farwell comes to the end of her term, the LSBU Group is seeking to appoint an experienced Chair of the South Bank Colleges. They will be innovative, entrepreneurial and ideally bring an understanding of sector trends, opportunities and challenges.
They will have C-Suite experience in further or higher education (CEO or equivalent). Individuals with senior leadership experience in the broader education space or the public, commercial or non-profit sectors will also be considered if they bring non-executive experience in further or higher education. Given significant estate projects are underway, they will ideally also bring exposure to capital projects.
In addition to their role as Chair of the South Bank Colleges Board of Trustees, they will also become an Independent Governor of the LSBU Group Board. Prior Board or chairing experience is advantageous but not essential. The successful candidate will also work closely with and bring support to the Executive Principal for South Bank Colleges.
Candidates should share the University’s vision to transform lives, communities, businesses and society through applied education and insight. They will be committed to social justice and inclusion and will have the passion and time to commit to the role.
Board composition
LSBU’s Board of Governors currently has twelve independent governors, the Vice Chancellor, two student Governors and two staff Governors. The Board is chaired by Andreas Raffel.
More information about the Board of Governors, including profiles of current members, can be found here.
SBC’s Board of Trustees has six Trustees, the Vice-chancellor, one student Trustee and one staff Trustee. The Board is chaired by Ruth Farwell CBE.
For more information about South Bank Colleges Board of Trustees, this can be found here.
Diversity
London South Bank University welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.
Terms of appointment
This role is unremunerated, and reasonable expenses (including travel and childcare costs) will be reimbursed. The South Bank Colleges Board meets five times per year. There are currently five LSBU Group Board meetings, which normally take place in person on a Thursday from 4 – 6pm, and two strategy days annually. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board. The estimated time commitment is two to three days per month.
Location: LSBU Group is located in central London and its Colleges are in Nine Elms, Clapham and Brixton. Meetings will take place in person. Candidates will therefore be UK-based, with the ability to travel to London on a regular basis throughout the year.
To apply for this position, please contact:
Brigitte Stundner
London South Bank University is partnering with Nurole the leading board-level search platform on this appointment. If you’d like to view the full spec click here: https://app.nurole.com/roles/6978cee1e533f4acffc23470. If you’d like to informally find out more about the role please contact Brigitte Stundner: brigitte.stundner@nurole.com
