The University Secretariat is responsible for matters relating to Governance, Health & Safety, information compliance (including managing Freedom of Information requests) and legal matters.
Governance
The Registrar and University Secretary is Clerk to the University Council, the governing body of the University, which carries responsibility for ensuring the effective management of the University and planning its future development. The Deputy University Secretary is Secretary to the University Senate. The Senate of the University is the principal academic body of the University and acts as its management committee. Senate therefore considers proposals about the academic standards and processes of the University, and the operational aspects of strategy agreed by the Council.
Secretariat services a range of Committees of Council and Senate. Please visit the Governance, Corporate Information and Current Student webpages for more information.
Secretariat is also responsible for the following areas of governance and compliance:
Governance Contacts
Registrar & University Secretary and Clerk to Council: Laurence Benson
Deputy University Secretary and Secretary to Senate: Andrew Skinner
Secretariat Officer (Data Protection and FoI Officer): Alison Bainbridge
Secretariat Officer (Council): Fiona Downes
Secretariat Administrator: Harriet Hinton
Legal Office
The Legal Office is part of the University Secretariat and oversees the handling of the University’s legal matters. The office is managed by a qualified Solicitor who consults with external lawyers as appropriate.
The main functions of the Legal Office are:
- To provide legal advice to the University
- To ensure compliance with legal requirements
- To assist the University administration in the development and review of the regulations, policies and procedures.
- To retain and manage external lawyers on the University’s behalf as required.
- To raise awareness of legal issues within the University community.
The Legal Office does not act for or advise students, non-employees or other third parties.
Legal Officer: Kim Small