Independent Governor

Independent Governors, Southampton Solent University 

1 day per month | Voluntary | Mixture of face to face and online meetings 

Solent University is seeking to appoint three Independent Governors to join its Board at an important moment in its development. 

Based in the heart of Southampton, Solent is an ambitious, teaching-focused university with a strong civic purpose, distinctive industry links and a clear commitment to practice-led education. The University has real momentum, including a Triple TEF Gold award, its strongest ever national rankings in the Guardian University Guide 2026 and The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, and a growing research profile. 

Solent’s Strategy 2035 sets out a bold ambition to become the UK’s leading practice-led university. The Board of Governors has a critical role in supporting that ambition, providing strategic oversight, constructive challenge and sound stewardship on behalf of students, staff, partners and the wider community. 

The University is particularly interested in hearing from people who can bring one or more of the following areas of expertise: 

• Higher education: whether a current or former senior leader, you will have substantial experience of quality, academic governance, educational partnerships, transnational education or student outcomes. 

• Finance, audit and risk: a qualified accountant, you will be a senior finance leader or audit professional, with the confidence and experience to contribute to financial oversight, assurance and future succession planning for the Chair of Audit Committee. 

• Legal: you will ideally bring senior legal expertise and ideally some understanding of the higher education, charity, public or regulated sectors. 

Previous non-executive, trustee or board experience would be welcomed, but Solent is also open to candidates who have gained equivalent insight through senior executive leadership. Experience connected to the creative industries or maritime sector would also be of interest. 

Above all, Solent is looking for thoughtful, independent-minded and collaborative governors who will bring sound judgement, integrity and a commitment to widening opportunity through excellent education. 

For further information and details of how to apply, please visit https://andersonquigley.com/solent-governors/. For a confidential conversation, please contact Aino Betts, at Anderson Quigley on aino.betts@andersonquigley.com   

Closing date for applications: Friday 24 July 2026