WHO WE ARE 

We are 60+ societies, we're a bite to eat in Liberty's, and a pint in Geordies. We are support from the Advice Hub, Therapets, and Class Reps & School Officers. We're Freshers Week, Beer Fest, and volunteering.

We are a lot of things, but our purpose is to put our students first. We aspire to be the best student union in Scotland so that our amazing students receive the experience they deserve. We want to have fun, are open to change and empower our students to make a difference. 

We do this by representing, supporting, advising and promoting the interests, health and welfare of students at Heriot-Watt University. We are a charitable company limited by guarantee and run charitable and commercial services including an advice centre, bar, shop, club and café. 

We have our strategy, aka our "Big Plan", which guides us as we shape our Union, its objectives and activities as we continually learn how best to deliver our services in a changing world. This is an exciting time of transformation and we are looking for a trustee with HR expertise to join our Board and help us on our journey. 

We are a democratic organisation which means we have an elected student parliament, including four paid full-time student officers who are also trustees and directors. We have a career staff team of around 25 and a senior management team of four, led by the Chief Executive Officer. Our turnover is in the region of £3M with a block grant of around £845k and the remainder made up by trading income. 
 

OUR TRUSTEE BOARD 

We have an established and well-performing board which is made up of: 
 

• One President and three Vice Presidents who are all full time elected officers; 
• Two student trustees, normally one undergraduate and one postgraduate; 
• Between three and six external trustees, one of whom must be an alumni; and 
• One university nominated trustee. 

Our external trustees come from different backgrounds and bring experience in a range of areas including finance; students and the university sector; human resources and project management. It is someone with HR experience that we are keen to see join the Board.

We are a registered charity in Scotland and our board's role is to ensure that the Union works effectively in how it achieves its aims. We're student-focused but if we spend all our money on Freshers Week and can't open our doors for the rest of the year, then we're not putting students first. 

You can find more information about the role of charity trustees on the OSCR web site at
www.oscr.org.uk 

WHO ARE WE SPECIFICALLY LOOKING FOR? 

We are looking for an individual with HR/People experience, passionate about making a difference. We are keen to talk to individuals who have expertise in Human resource management, organisational design, reward and employment legislation.   
 
You'll sit within our wider board of trustees, as well as being a subject matter expert in your area. If you bring your enthusiasm, we will provide the procedural support and development opportunity. 

You will need to be able to make the time commitment, which isn’t huge but shouldn’t be underestimated.
 
Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from students who work for the Student Union or hold a position on Student Parliament.

If you are appointed, we will ask you to confirm that you are legally able to hold the position of Trustee and Director. 
 

Time Commitment

The Trustee Board meets about four times a year in the evening,  
usually between 5:30pm and 7:30pm.  
You are sent papers for the meeting one week in advance. 

There is usually a planning meeting day around January 

You are invited to attend the Union AGM which takes place around March. 

Occasionally you will be asked to contribute to a specific discussion 
or decision by email. 

WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS AT A TRUSTEE BOARD MEETING? 

The Trustee Board meeting usually follow the same format. You will receive reports on the Union’s financial performance and also reports from the Full Time Officers and Leadership Team.  
 
There are also usually items of business on strategic projects ranging from strategy to operational issues. Occasionally there are parts of a Trustee Board meeting that take place in camera and are therefore confidential.  
However most of the business of the meetings is made public through the minutes and can be viewed at www.hwunion.com/reference/trustee-board-minutes. 

WHAT DO I GET FROM BEING A TRUSTEE? 

Being a Trustee and Director is an excellent opportunity to develop a number of valuable skills that will be useful for your CV. 

You will develop: 

• Communication and team work 

• Understanding and using financial statements 

• Strategic thinking and developing strategic plans 

• Understanding of legal and business matters 

• Governance and compliance 

• Problem solving 

• Time management 

• Decision making skills 

• Meeting skills and confidentiality 

As a member of the Board you will also join a group of experienced and influential people who have a broad range of skills and industry contacts.