Governance

Governing Council

The governing body of the University and the board of directors of the company is known as the Governing Council. The Inclusion Statement and Primary Responsibilities of Governing Council are set out below.

Governing Council Inclusion Statement

As Governors, we are fully committed to the University’s passion for Diversity Inclusion and Wellbeing for its staff and students. We are active allies and role model and promote the values, learning from and supporting the University in its mission to be an Applied University of Today and for Tomorrow, creating equitable opportunities for all students and staff to thrive and achieve successful outcomes. Our goal is that everyone in our University communities feels supported, respected, and free from bias. We do this by:

Ensuring Governing Council upholds the University’s commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing
Overseeing the University’s progress against its commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing
Actively engaging in the University’s Inclusion Strategy and agenda
Modelling an inclusive approach to our board composition, behaviours, and actions.
Modelling the University's values and maintaining a growth mindset and learning from others' lived experiences to seek continual improvement and best practice by reviewing ourselves annually.
Contact governance@derby.ac.uk to view our representation statistics

What have we done?

We adopted the Governing Council’s inclusion statement at our November 2023, Strategy Day, updated February 2025 (published above)
We took positive action to improve reporting rates and collecting diversity data
We appointed an EDI Champion from the Governing Council
We included diversity objectives in the Governing Council evaluation process
Governing Council was awarded the RACE Equality Code Quality Mark in October 2024
Governing Council’s development program underpins the actions within the RACE equality code and other EDI initiatives
GC committee chairs are more gender diverse, moving from 100% male in 2022 to 42% male, 58% female in 2024

Governing Council Responsibilities

Determine the educational character and academic direction and integrity of the University
Approve the mission and strategic aims of the University
Ensure the establishment and monitoring of systems of control and accountability
Ensure that the University fulfils its legal obligations
Ensure that there are procedures for handling internal grievances, conflicts of interest, fraud and corruption; and to ensure that staff can raise matters of concern
Ensure that processes are in place to monitor and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the University
Monitor and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the Governing Council itself
Conduct its business in accordance with best practice
Ensure that students benefit from a valuable learning experience

The powers and framework for governance are set out in the Governing Council Ordinances and Articles of Association and is guided by the Committee of University Chairs (CUC) HE Code of Governance - Updated 2020.

View a full list of the Primary Responsibilities of Governing Council.
You can read the letter from the Privy Council establishing the University of Derby in 1993
Contact governance@derby.ac.uk to view the Governing Council and Sub-Committee Structure
The University engaged in an external Governance Effectiveness Review in 2023

2024/25 Governing Council Meetings:

12 September 2024, Seminar 2pm, Meeting 3pm to 6pm
21 November 2024, Joint strategy event with the University Executive Board, 9am to 5pm
22 November 2024, Seminar 9am, Meeting 10am to 1pm
5 February 2025, Seminar 2pm, Meeting 3pm to 6pm
15 April 2025, Seminar 2pm, Meeting 3pm to 6pm
8 May 2025, Joint strategy event with the University Executive Board, 9am to 5pm
3 July 2025, Seminar 2pm, Meeting 3pm to 6pm

Useful information

External view of Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

About us as a charity

The University of Derby is an exempt charity whose objects are, for the public benefit, to promote and advance education and training; and to promote, undertake and advance research.

Chancellor

The Chancellor is our non-executive ceremonial head, who normally presides at meetings of the University Court and at official events, such as the awards ceremonies. Our current Chancellor is Wil...

View of Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus, with trees in foreground