Trustees

• Ensure that the charity is and will remain solvent.
• Use charitable funds and assets reasonably, and only in furtherance of the charity’s objects.
• Avoid undertaking activities that might place the charity’s endowment, funds, assets or reputation at undue risk.
• Take special care when investing the funds of the charity, or borrowing funds for the charity to use.

• Use reasonable care and skill in their work as trustees, using their personal skills and experience as needed to ensure that the charity is well-run and efficient.
• Consider getting external professional advice on all matters where there may be a material risk to the charity, or where the trustees may be in breach of their duties.

Main Responsibilities

The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for the financial matters and financial procedures of Warwick Students’ Union. It must accept ultimate responsibility for giving firm strategic direction to the Union, and ensuring that it is solvent, well-governed, and delivering the objectives for which it has been set up. Please see here for our Code of Conduct.

The trustees will also annually review how the Union’s aims are to be achieved, which are found in the Governing Document – the Memorandum and Articles of Association. These include:

• Promoting the interests of our members as effectively as possible at institutional, local and national levels.
• Ensuring effective communication between our members, the University of Warwick and other bodies.
• Providing for the educational, cultural, recreational, sporting, social and welfare needs of our members to the best of our ability.
• Operating an effective Equal Opportunities policy while guaranteeing freedom of expression and minimising any adverse environmental impact, thus providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all.

The Board of Trustees has a responsibility not to implement any democratically-developed policy which has damaging financial implications or breaches the law, if it is passed without a realistic financial plan.

Key Duties

• To work collectively and with the Chief Executive and other senior staff to ensure that WSU has a clear vision which recognises its values and meets the needs of its members.
• To monitor and evaluate the performance of WSU against targets, and to ensure that it remains focused on achieving its vision.
• To ensure that WSU complies with all legal and regulatory requirements, including its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• To agree any delegated authority and ensure that such delegated authority is clearly expressed.
• To safeguard the assets of WSU, taking due care over their security and proper usage, ensuring that they are used exclusively in the pursuit of the agreed objectives.
• To ensure that the governance of WSU is of the highest standard and that it follows guidance from any relevant bodies.
• To recommend the auditors and name the bankers of WSU.
• To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
• To annually approve and amend the finance regulations, annual budgets and strategic plans of WSU.
• To appoint and appraise the Chief Executive and to appoint the Board of Directors of any direct subsidiary companies of WSU.
• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees, using any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions by scrutinising board papers, focusing on key issues and providing guidance.
• Take or seek opportunities to enhance their effectiveness as a Trustee through participation in training and development programmes, and by increasing their own knowledge of WSU.