The UoG SU Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees includes three Officer Trustees, External Trustees and Student Trustees. Trustees are essential to the effectiveness of the Students’ Union and have the ultimate legal responsibility for keeping the organisation focussed on its purpose and directing the strategy. They also have financial oversight, are responsible for resources and are expected to ensure that the organisation stays within the law.
UoG SU Board of Trustees Personal Profiles
Jeremy Davies – Acting Chair of Board and External Trustee
30 years’ experience as a Director, Non- Executive and Trustee across a range of organisations including operating between Academia and Industry, focussing on the critical aspect of “practical application” of science and technology in a commercial environment; always recognising the importance, support and delivery of the development of all talent.
Bianca Holland- Education and Community Officer and Vice Chair of Board
Bianca is a passionate and driven law student dedicated to enhancing student life through education and community engagement. With strong leadership skills and a collaborative mindset, she aims to create inclusive opportunities that support academic success, personal growth, and a stronger university community for all students.
Iffat Ara Jahan - Welfare and Diversity Officer
Iffat is an international student from Bangladesh who is passionate about inclusion, well-being and student empowerment. She aims to make student voices heard, fighting for affordable food, housing, mental health support and equal opportunities for all. Together, she aims to build a more diverse supportive and accessible university community for everyone.
Freya Rowley- Activities and Opportunities Officer
Freya studied Creative Advertising at the University of Gloucestershire and was Dance Club Captain during her time as a student. With a flair for creativity and strong leadership skills, she’s excited to support the Students’ Union by creating opportunities, championing student voices, and helping connect the University more closely with the community.
Laura Batty - External Trustee
Laura is a strategic communications specialist with experience across the HE sector, first as an elected Officer at the LSE Students’ Union, at the National Union of Students as their Press Officer, and later, at the Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association and as a member of the Strategic Leadership Team at Universities UK.
Connie Price - External Trustee
Connie’s career has taken her across the world to work with students, artists, professionals, and community leaders. Her experience included working in Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK on a programme for young people in 44 countries. She has escaped riots and found friends in unlikely places. Connie originally trained as an archaeologist, then as a librarian and finally a leader and programme manager. Proof that education is a journey and not just a destination!
Daniel McDonald - Smith - External Trustee
Before Daniel was a Medical Doctor in the East Midlands, specialising in Leadership and Management, he was the Mature Students’ Officer at the University of Nottingham’s SU implementing initiatives to aid students in real terms. As a recent graduate, he understands the highs and lows of being a student in today’s environment and is excited to continue working to elevate the student experience at the University of Gloucestershire
Merajul Islam - Student Trustee
Merajul Islam is a Student Trustee at the University of Gloucestershire and a postgraduate student studying International Business by Research. He is passionate about student representation, cross-cultural collaboration, and contributing to a positive university experience through strategic thinking and inclusive leadership.
Khadija Dilnawaz - Student Trustee
Khadija is passionate about student welfare and representation and brings creativity, leadership, and a strong sense of responsibility to the trustee role. As a current student and active society member, she aims to amplify diverse voices, champion inclusivity, and ensure the university remains a supportive, forward-thinking environment for all.
Victor Ukpere - Student Trustee
Victor is a first-year PhD researcher in Geography at the UoG. He brings over 24-years of experience in the charity sector, academia, and teaching, specialising in environmental management, project development, management, partnerships, and grant funding across Africa and the United States of America. Victor is passionate about driving impactful change.
In Attendance
Josh Clare - Staff
Lou Fensome - Staff
Karen Hill - Staff
Board Sub Committees
People and Resources Committee
The purpose of the People and Resources Committee is to assist and support the accountable Officer (the Chief Executive) and the Board of Trustees. It is responsible for advising on effective planning and management relating to people (HR) and financial resources. The Committee works closely with both the Board of Trustees and the Audit and Risk Committee. The Board of Trustees delegates to the People and Resources Committee the responsibility for ensuring that there is a framework for internal controls and accountability relating to people and financial resources; and for ensuring that the organisation is complying with all aspects of the law, relevant regulations and good practice.
Committee Members
Connie Price - Chair and External Trustee
Freya Rowley - Vice Chair and Officer Trustee
Bianca Holland - Officer Trustee
Jeremy Davies – External Trustee
Merajul Islam - Student Trustee
In Attendance
Lou Fensome - Staff
Karen Hill – Staff
Audit and Risk Committee
The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist and support the Accountable Officer (the Chief Executive) and the Board of Trustees. It is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the governance, risk management and financial management environments and ensuring the probity of the Students’ Union. The Board of Trustees delegates to the Audit and Risk Committee the responsibility for ensuring that there is a framework for internal controls and accountability; and for ensuring that the organisation is complying with all aspects of the law, relevant regulations and good practice. The Audit and Risk Committee is an advisory body with no executive powers and any actions it recommends are subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Committee Members
Jeremy Davies- Chair and External Trustee
Iffat Ara Jahan - Vice Chair and Officer Trustee
Daniel McDonald Smith - External Trustee
Barney Wain - Student Trustee
Khadija Dilnawaz - Student Trustee
Victor Ukpere - Student Trustee
Josh Clare - Staff
Karen Hill – Staff
In addition to the Board Sub-Committees, a monthly Management Committee is held as detailed below:
Management Committee
The Management Committee of University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union consists of the Officers as voting members and the Chief Executive Officer as a non-voting member. In attendance are the SU Senior Managers and the Governance and Administration Co-Ordinator. The role of the Management Committee includes hearing proposals for new staffing, outside of the agreed budget, which is then reported to the Trustee Board. The Committee also receives and provides scrutiny on financial updates and operating plan updates, including in relation to KPIs. In addition, the Committee defines priority campaigns and the support needed from staff teams as well as providing oversight for largescale events. It ensures that UoGSU is adequately meeting its commitments to environmental sustainability and updates all its members on external relationships with University partners. The Committee also receives updates on significant price changes in Commercial areas and reviews Student Executive Committee Decisions and the implications of these on the wider organisation.
Committee Members
Bianca Holland - Chair of Management Committee and Education and Community Officer
Iffat Ara Jahan - Welfare and Diversity Officer
Freya Rowley - Activities and Opportunities Officer
Josh Clare - Chief Executive Officer
In Attendance
Lou Fensome - Staff
Karen Hill – Staff