Chair of Court – The role

The Chair of Court will play a key role over the next three years in driving forward an agenda for change, overseeing the implementation of a new operating model, ensuring a pathway to financial sustainability.

The Chair of Court is responsible for the leadership and effectiveness of the governing body and, with Court members, the Principal and the University Executive Group, provides the strategic direction to the University to ensure the delivery of its key objectives. As the University strives to emerge from a period of significant financial challenge and upheaval, and following the publication of the Scottish Funding Council sponsored Gillies Report in June 2025, the Chair of Court will be responsible for ensuring that recommendations regarding culture, governance and information flow are implemented. 

There is an expectation that the Chair of Court will quickly form an effective and collegiate working relationship with the Principal & Vice Chancellor and that they will strike an appropriate balance of authority between the Court and the Principal. They do not have executive powers but must ensure that the Court is effective in reaching collective decisions and that it exhibits good governance and observes the principles of conduct as defined by the Committee on Standards in Public Life. 

The Chair plays no role in day-to-day operational matters nor in the executive management of the University and its academic activities; these are responsibilities which fall to the Principal & Vice-Chancellor and their senior team, known as the University Executive Group (UEG). The Chair will need to establish a supportive, constructive and challenging working relationship with the Principal and the UEG, while recognising the proper separation between governance and executive management. 

The Chair’s duties include ensuring that Court members work together effectively, take collective responsibility for its decisions and have confidence in the procedures that have been laid down for the conduct of business. They ensure that Court applies the highest standards of corporate governance and observes the accepted principles of public life applicable to all public bodies. The Chair ensures that Court fully discusses all issues necessary, draws on the experience and skills of its members and discharges its responsibilities in a business-like way. They ensure that the Committees which conduct Court’s business, report appropriately. 

The Chair also ensures that the University is well connected with its stakeholders and represents the University externally and, where appropriate, uses personal influence and networking skills on behalf of the University. They work with the Principal to position and promote the University regionally, nationally and internationally with key stakeholders including alumni, industry and government. 

As the University is a values led institution, the Chair must demonstrate a clear commitment to the University’s vision, values and strategic goals and will be responsible for the leadership and effectiveness of Court, at all times acting fairly and impartially in the interests of the University as a whole.