Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the University's supreme governing body and board of charity trustees. It operates within the framework provided by the Charter and Statutes and the legal and regulatory framework to which the University is subject.
On this page
Responsibilities and terms of reference
The primary responsibilities of the Board of Trustees are set out in Ordinance 1.
All Board members are expected to comply with the role description and code of conduct as set out in Ordinance 1.
Membership
Find out more about board membership and diversity monitoring.
Attendees
The following people attend meetings of the Board of Trustees:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Head of Governance
Other members of University staff may be asked to attend for relevant items.
Board Secretary
- Post-holder: Michael Flay, Director of Governance and University Secretary
- Email: michael.flay@bristol.ac.uk
Committees of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees has several committees which undertake specific responsibilities.
- Audit and Risk CommitteeThe Audit and Risk Committee is responsible to the Board of Trustees for reviewing the effectiveness of internal arrangements.
- Culture and Inclusion CommitteeThe Culture and Inclusion Committee provides strategic oversight and assurance on matters relating to culture, values and behaviours and the University's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) sub-strategy.
- Finance and Investments CommitteeThe Finance and Investments Committee is responsible to the Board of Trustees for overseeing the development and implementation of the financial, estates and digital infrastructure objectives.
- Honorary Degrees CommitteeThe Honorary Degrees Committee recommends candidates for honorary degrees and honorary fellowships.
- Infrastructure Planning CommitteeThe Infrastructure Planning Committee provides the Board of Trustees with assurance on the development and delivery of key elements of the University Strategy, specifically the long-term planning and development, construction, and performance management of the University’s physical and digital estate, as well as reviewing proposals for the acquisition and disposal of any part of the estate.
- Nominations Committee of the BoardThe Nominations Committee advises the Board on matters concerning the membership of the Board and Board Committees.
- Remuneration CommitteeThe Remuneration Committee is responsible for overseeing the pay, benefits and conditions of employment of the Vice-Chancellor and the other senior staff.
- Pensions Task and Finish GroupThe Pensions Task and Finish Group was established by the Board of Trustees in July 2018 to consider the Universities Superannuation Scheme Valuation and the associated implications for the University and its staff.
Vacancies
The Board of Trustees is seeking to appoint two student members (the Student Trustees) to join the Board from 1 July 2026, more information is provided below.
- Read the Role Description & Personal Specification (PDF, 174kB)
- Read the Frequently asked questions (PDF, 131kB)
To apply, please complete the Student Trustee Application Form (Office document, 245kB) and upload here by 5pm on Wednesday 22 April. Applications will not be accepted after this point.
Use the Personal Statement field to explain in no more than 500 words how you meet the criteria to be a Student Trustee and why you are interested in the role. In your application, please refer to the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the Role Description & Person Specification
If you would like to discuss this opportunity or have questions not dealt with above, please contact: helen.cole@bristol.ac.uk
Meeting dates and paper submission deadlines 2025/26
University staff can view paper submission guidance and deadlines on the Governance intranet.
- Friday 3 October 2025, 9am
- Friday 21 November 2025, 9am
- Friday 30 January 2026, 9am
- Thursday 26 March 2026, 9am - development day
- Friday 27 March 2026, 9am
- Friday 22 May 2026, 9am
- Friday 3 July 2026, 9am
Annual reports
2025/26
Reports from this year will be added as they become available.
2024/25
Reports from this year will be added as they become available.
2023/24
Reports from this year will be added as they become available.
- Academic Quality Assurance Annual Report 2023/24 (PDF, 530kB)
- Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2023/24 (PDF, 328kB)
- Annual Statement on Research integrity 2023/24 (PDF, 235kB)
- Annual Report and Financial Statements 2023/2024
- EDI Annual Report 2023/24 (PDF, 4,379kB)
- Annual Health and Safety Report 2023/24 (PDF, 1,319kB)
- Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap report 2024 (PDF, 1,354kB)
- Degree Outcomes Statement 2024 (PDF, 718kB)
Agendas and minutes
Download agendas and minutes from previous Board of Trustees meetings.
2025/26
- Agenda, 3 July 2026 (TO FOLLOW)
- Minutes, 3 July 2026 (TO FOLLOW)
- Agenda, 22 May 2026 (TO FOLLOW)
- Minutes, 22 May 2026 (TO FOLLOW)
- Agenda, 26 and Friday 27 March 2026 (TO FOLLOW)
- Minutes, 26 and Friday 27 March 2026 (TO FOLLOW)
- Agenda, 30 January 2026 (TO FOLLOW)
- Minutes, 30 January 2026 (TO FOLLOW)
- Agenda, 21 November 2025 (PDF, 253kB)
- Minutes, 21 November 2025 (TO FOLLOW)
- Agenda, 3 October 2025 (PDF, 195kB)
- 3 October 2025 (PDF, 190kB)
2024/25
- Agenda, 18 July 2025 (PDF, 233kB)
- Minutes, 18 July 2025 (PDF, 279kB)
- Agenda, 23 May 2025 (PDF, 244kB)
- Minutes, 23 May 2025 (PDF, 256kB)
- Agenda, 27 and 28 March 2025 (PDF, 351kB)
- Minutes, 28 March 2025 (PDF, 270kB)
- Agenda, 31 January 2025 (PDF, 244kB)
- Minutes, 31 January 2025 (PDF, 257kB)
- Agenda, 22 November 2024 (PDF, 202kB)
- Minutes, 22 November 2024 (PDF, 325kB)
- Agenda, 20 September 2024 (PDF, 204kB)
- Minutes, 20 September 2024 (PDF, 271kB)
2023/24
- Agenda, 5 July 2024 (PDF, 152kB)
- Minutes, 5 July 2024 (PDF, 323kB)
- Agenda, 24 May 2024 (PDF, 157kB)
- Minutes, 24 May 2024 (PDF, 237kB)
- Agenda, 21 and 22 March 2024 (PDF, 225kB)
- Minutes, 22 March 2024 (PDF, 271kB)
- Agenda, 2 February 2024 (PDF, 125kB)
- Minutes, 2 February 2024 (PDF, 315kB)
- Agenda, 16 November 2023 (PDF, 142kB)
- Minutes, 16 November 2023 (PDF, 637kB)
- Minutes, 25 October 2023 (PDF, 260kB)
- Agenda, 22 September 2023 (PDF, 147kB)
- Minutes, 22 September 2023 (PDF, 317kB)
Register of interests
The University maintains a register of interests of members of the Board of Trustees, members of the Committees of the Board of Trustees, members of the University Executive Board and members of the Board of any University Subsidiary.
The Register of interests (PDF, 189kB) is available for inspection under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
If you have any queries in relation to the register of interests, email governance@bristol.ac.uk.