About Leeds Trinity University
Leeds Trinity University (LTU) is a public university with campuses in Leeds City Centre and the nearby suburb of Horsforth. With a history rooted in teacher training and with a clear sense of mission, LTU today combines that heritage with a growing, professionally focused academic offering across a wide range of disciplines.
LTU believes education has the power to transform lives and communities, and has widening participation as a core element of its mission. With over 12,500 students across undergraduate, postgraduate, foundation, work-based learning and apprenticeship programmes, and 700 employees, it is well placed to realise its ambitions and create lasting impact.
LTU is rooted in the Catholic values of its founding partners, which shape its culture and approach. It leads with dignity, compassion and respect, reflecting its commitment to social justice in the way it teaches, collaborates and prepares students for the world of work. The University’s approach to education is closely connected to employability, applied learning and external engagement – their modern Leeds City campus reflects that positioning and supports provision in areas including business, the built environment, law, computer science and criminology.
With a strong commitment to inclusion and equity, it became the first Yorkshire university to be awarded the Silver Race Equality Charter, a notable recognition of sustained work on race equality. LTU’s achievements reflect its longstanding focus on student-centred higher education. It is ranked 2nd in the United Kingdom for teaching quality and student experience and 4th in the United Kingdom for satisfaction with teaching in The Times Good University Guide 2026. LTU is entering an exciting period of transformation and strategic planning for the years to come. Focus areas will include reviewing LTU’s academic portfolio and delivery model for the next decade, growing international student recruitment, managing its estate masterplan, and widening opportunities for formal collaboration with other universities.
Role specification
Governors are members of the Board of Governors, which is ultimately responsible for all of the University’s activities, including its educational character and mission, senior management structure and financial solvency. As Leeds Trinity University is a registered charity, Board members also serve as Trustees.
Core responsibilities:
Contribute to the collective leadership given by the Board of Governors and support the effective governance of the University
Set and oversee the University’s strategic direction, ensuring that decisions align with its mission, values and long-term sustainability
Safeguard the educational character and mission of the University
Oversee financial sustainability, institutional performance and the effective stewardship of resources
Ensure appropriate systems of governance, assurance and internal control are in place
Provide oversight of risk, compliance and regulatory matters in a complex higher education environment
Oversee the performance of the senior executive leadership and the effectiveness of the senior management structure
Support high standards of conduct, accountability and decision-making across the institution
Act in the best interests of the University and fulfil the duties of a charity trustee
Contribute to Board and committee discussions with independence of judgement and a collegiate approach
Promote equality, inclusion and a culture in which a wide range of perspectives is valued
Person specification
Leeds Trinity University seeks Governors with senior leadership experience in one of the following areas: higher education or further education, highly regulated industries, commercial, finance, digital, media, or legal. Governors will bring sound judgement, strategic perspective, credibility in complex organisations and a strong commitment to inclusive, values-led governance.
Essential criteria
Ability to contribute at Board level on institutional strategy, governance, organisational performance and financial sustainability
Understanding of the complexity, accountability and regulatory environment of modern higher education
Capacity to exercise independent judgement while working constructively as part of a collective governing body
Personal credibility, integrity and discretion
Willingness to uphold the mission and values of Leeds Trinity University
Desired criteria
Experience of leading organisational change / transformation
An understanding of, and affinity with, Catholic values is welcomed but not a requirement for three independent Governor roles. In addition to these roles there are several additional vacancies on the Board for Governors who are nominated by LTU’s founding partners; therefore, please mention if you are a practising Catholic.
Board composition
To find out more about the Board of Governors, please see here.
Location
Board meetings are expected to be attended in person in Leeds. Candidates should be willing to travel for Board and Committee meetings and for occasional wider engagement with the University. They will therefore be UK-based.
Diversity
Leeds Trinity University welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. As women and those from an ethnic minority background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those individuals would be particularly encouraged. 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 travel expenses will be reimbursed.
There is c.6 Board meetings per year which are held in person (evenings). Governors are also expected to join one Committee, which typically meets six times per year. There is one to two strategy days per year, held in Leeds. Occasional attendance at university events is encouraged. The overall time commitment is c.12-15 days per year, with some months being busier than others. The role is for a three-year term, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Board.
To apply for this position, please contact:
Brigitte Stundner
Nurole 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/69f486421e5afe41e1f289f6.
If you’d like to informally find out more about the role please contact Brigitte Stundner: brigitte.stundner@nurole.com
