The University of Liverpool is approaching a major milestone in 2031, marking 150 years of creativity, innovation and global impact as the original redbrick university. The University is a thriving community of over 32,500 students and 7,000 staff, united by a shared commitment to excellence and a distinctive identity. Founded in 1881, the University has evolved into a truly global institution, recognised for internationally excellent research, outstanding teaching, and strong graduate outcomes. As a founding member of the Russell Group, the University is committed to delivering academic excellence and world-class student experiences, a commitment reflected in its Gold rating from the Teaching Excellence Framework. Since its earliest days, the University has attracted bold, original thinkers and is proud to count nine Nobel Laureates among its alumni and staff. Researchers are driving discoveries that change lives, teaching is held as the gold standard, and graduates leave ready to shape the future. According to the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 91% of its research is worldleading or internationally excellent and nine research units achieved a top ten ranking for their outstanding impact. This combination of ambition, achievement and impact underpins its ranking among the top 150 universities in the world.
Rooted in Liverpool yet connected to a worldwide community, the University embodies both local pride and a global outlook. In recent years, stronger connections with the city and region have been forged, unlocking new avenues for collaboration, funding and investment. With an annual income exceeding £708m, the University of Liverpool is a substantial organisation and its activities have a similarly sizeable impact, extending far beyond just teaching and research. In total, the University’s activities in 2022/23 generated an estimated £1.2bn Gross Value Added (GVA) and 15,870 jobs in the Liverpool City Region. On a national level, the University generated an estimated £2.2bn GVA and 26,630 jobs. This report explores each of the diverse ways that the University has an impact.
On an international level, the University opened Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in partnership with Xi’an Jiaotong University – a top 10 university in China – in 2006, which allows students from both universities to study overseas as part of their degrees, and has grown to become an established, innovative university based in China, offering multiple options for study. As the University continues to expand its global reach, it has established a new campus in Bangalore, India, with the first cohort of students expected in September 2026, and there is an appetite to explore further international opportunities.
With a strong focus on equality, diversity and inclusion underpinning the University’s culture, Liverpool is a signatory to Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter and is looking at accelerating better meeting the needs of students and staff from Black and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and to tackling under-representation. All academic schools and institutes have achieved an Athena Swan award, reflecting a sustained commitment to gender equality.
The University has navigated significant headwinds in recent years but has continued to make impressive progress, already securing its position among the top 150 universities globally. Under Professor Tim Jones’ leadership, momentum has accelerated markedly. Adjusting to the current climate, the University of Liverpool has successfully increased its domestic student recruitment to offset declines in international enrolments, while also launching ambitious initiatives to enhance research performance and broaden its global footprint.
The University of Liverpool’s ambitious strategic plan, Liverpool 2031, sets out how it will develop the confidence and sustained excellence to break into the top-100 ranked universities worldwide. Looking ahead, the University is committed to generating meaningful surpluses that will support continued investment in research excellence, facilities and campus development. It will continue to increase its research power and growing related income. Now is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the University of Liverpool.
Role specification
The Council is the governing body of the University of Liverpool and is unambiguously and collectively accountable for all institutional activities:
It agrees and monitors the University’s overall mission and strategy
It oversees the governance of the institution
It protects the institution’s long-term sustainability and reputation
The role of Council Lay Members is to bring independent, external advice and scrutiny to the conduct of the University’s business and to bring perspectives and expertise from the world outside higher education to the governance of the University. Members of Council may become involved in the more detailed consideration of University business, especially if they have particular relevant expertise, by appointment to University Committees, or interview panels for senior staff appointments. The University also expects Lay Members to promote the University externally and bring their influence to bear for the benefit of the University. For further information on how the University is governed, please see here.
Person specification
Due to rotation on the Council, the University of Liverpool is seeking two new Council Members who will bring relevant strategic insight and commitment to the University’s purpose of transforming lives and creating a better, fairer world through effective strategy. They will bring constructive challenge and act as a critical friend to the wider Council and executive team. Individuals will bring senior strategic level expertise in one of the following areas:
Human Resources / People: The University is seeking individuals with a proven track record of advising at board or executive level on people strategy, workforce planning, talent management and culture. The successful candidate will bring substantial senior leadership experience in HR, people strategy or organisational development, gained within similarly complex and large-scale organisations (7,000 staff, 32,500 students and £708m turnover). They will have experience of shaping and overseeing policies and practices that promote high performance, engagement, diversity and inclusion. Candidates will have significant knowledge and understanding of remuneration, reward and performance frameworks, and will sit on the Remuneration Committee.
Health / Research / Public Sector: The University is seeking individuals who will have a distinguished track record of senior leadership in research, health, public sector or a closely related field, whether in academia, the NHS, research-intensive organisations or policy bodies. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of the health, research or public sectors, including funding models, partnerships and regulatory frameworks. They will bring strong understanding of the role universities can play in improving health outcomes locally, nationally and globally.
Technology / Digital: The University is seeking an experienced digital leader, with a strong track record in driving digital transformation, managing cyber risk and leveraging emerging technologies, including AI. Candidates will bring strategic insight, sound judgement and the ability to advise at board level on the opportunities and challenges of technology in a large, complex organisation.
Candidates don’t need to have previous board experience but will demonstrate a strong understanding of the nuances between an executive and non-executive role.
Successful candidates will need to complete a fit & proper persons’ test, as this is a regulatory requirement.
Council meetings schedule for the next academic year:
Thursday 25 September 2025 (Away Day)
Wednesday 26 November 2025, 9.30am
Thursday 26 February 2026, 9.30am
Wednesday 15 April 2026 (Away Day)
Thursday 21 May 2026, 9.30am
Wednesday 8 July 2026, 9.30am
Interviews
Interviews will be held on 18th September, in person, in Liverpool.
Board composition
To find out more about the Council, please see here: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/about/the-university/reports-policies-and-governance/governance/council/
Diversity
The University of Liverpool welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability.
In line with its University Values, it is committed to ensuring an inclusive governance environment and that the membership of Council should, as far as possible, reflect the diversity of its University community (more specifically its student body). The University would particularly encourage and welcome applications from individuals who identify as: Racially Minoritised, including individuals who identify as; Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, disabled and or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (that includes non-binary), Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+). The University will also aim to achieve a balance in terms of the range of experience of its members.
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, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. Council meets six times per year, which includes four business meetings and two away days. Council Members may be invited to join one Sub-Committee and this would be discussed further with successful candidates. Members of Council should be prepared to spend c.10 days per year on University business. This will include scheduled meetings and preparation time. At certain times, it may be necessary to convene additional meetings of Council. The appointment is for a three-year term, renewable up to nine years at the discretion of the Council.
Location: Candidates will be UK-based and will be able to travel to meetings in person.
To apply for this position, please contact:
Brigitte Stundner
The University of Liverpool 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/686e30eb01a045d408714b97.
If you’d like to informally find out more about the role please contact Brigitte Stundner.
