“Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity, and ensuring it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up.” – Charity Commission
In short, the Board of Trustees accept ultimate liability for the affairs and the operations of Christ Church Students’ Union and, as such, must ensure that their level of influence and control is appropriate and sufficient to ensure that this duty is discharged. The Board is made up of 4 different types of Trustee:
- Sabbatical Trustee – the four full-time elected officers.
- Student Trustee – up to six elected or selected part-time student trustees.
- Community Trustee – up to six trustees who have been selected by the Union to sit on the Board due to their skills, experience and knowledge.
- University Trustee – a trustee recommended to the Union by the University to sit on the Board.
Students' Union President - Sabbatical Trustee
This post is currently vacant, with the remit of the President distributed amoungst the remaining Sabbatcial Officer Leadership Team.
Inés Abella Romero, President (Community, Diversity, and Inclusion) - Sabbatical Trustee
Inés joined Christ Church in 2019, and studied Sociology and Criminology Combined Honours, in which she graduated in 2022.
Throughout her time at University she has been part of the Womens Hockey team which has allowed her to be involved with the Students Union, as she was Social Secretary for two years
She was elected President (Community, Diversity & Inclusion) in 2022, and has just been re-elected for 2023/24.
Inés is very excited to keep working for the Students' Union and finalize all the projects she's been working on as well as being a trustee for another year.
Tom Abbott, President (Campaigns & Societies) - Sabbatical Trustee
Tom joined christ church in 2020, studying Early Childhood Studies from which they graduated in 2023.
Throughout their time at Christ Church they have been a part of many different societies including LGBTQIA+ where they fulfilled the role of President and Vice-President throughout their time in the Society. Following on from this role, they reinstated the Film Society in their third year filling the position of President of this Society. Along with this, Tom was a member of the Union Society Executive Committee (USEC) in this year and filled the position of Society Representative on the Union Council in the academic year 2022/23.
Tom has been elected as President (Campaigns & Societies) for 2023/24 and is looking forward to making changes that are beneficial and relevant to students' needs.
Max Elvin, President (Engagement & Sports) - Sabbatical Trustee
Max joined Christ Church in 2018, studying Sport and Exercise Science in which he graduated with a First in 2021. Alongside Sabbatical duties he is completing a full-time Masters by Research.
Throughout his time at Christ Church, he has represented the University across many different sports and as a Sports Scholar. Throughout his time playing Rugby at University, he has acted as Social Media Officer; Vice-Captain; and Captain. Max went on to become an Executive Committee member for the previous President (Engagement & Sports), Maddy Young.
Max has been re-elected for President (Engagement & Sports) and is excited for the year ahead.
Oliver King - Student Trustee
Oliver is a 2nd Year MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering student at Canterbury Christ Church University. He is the founding president of the ETD Society at the student’s union, as well as the school representative of engineering, technology, and design within the university.
Oliver has been involved within the union throughout his time at Christ Church, has been the continual school representative since its founding, and having previously sat on the SAR committee with the Union President to discuss support mechanisms for student representatives.
He is passionate about charitable causes and has been involved in leading several campaigns, such as that of the Movember Campaign at CCCU. Apart from this, he has several years of experience in various leadership roles and utilises this experience in his role as a trustee to aid in decision-making within the board. He is currently working with the outreach ambassador program within the university as a receiver of the partner school award grant, and as a GCSE Mentor.
Sam Block - Student Trustee
Sam has been at Christ Church since 2020, and graduated in 2023 after completing her Bsc in Sociology and Psychology. Sam is currently studying a Masters in Forensic Investigative Psychology.
Sam has been an active member of the Students' Union since 2022 and has been on the committee of a number of societies. She is also the Mature Students' Officer on the Union Council and has launched a Mature Students Hub to build community and support.
Sam has a passion for improving the role of the Students' Union and to empower students to stand up and take an active role in shaping and supporting the student journey.
Olly Hubbard - Student Trustee
Olly is a Third Year Marketing Student at Canterbury Christ Church University, having enrolled in 2021. He is currently pursuing an Industrial Placement at Pernod Ricard and plans to return in September 2024 to complete his final year of studies.
During his time at university, Olly actively participated in various sports and recreational societies, including Tennis, Badminton, and Snowsports. In September 2022, he was elected Vice President of C4 Men's Tennis and played a vital role in the BUCS competitive team.
Olly demonstrated his commitment to student representation and support by serving as a Student Course Representative for Marketing from 2022 to 2023, advocating for his peers' needs and concerns. Additionally, he worked part-time as a Student Ambassador, providing guidance and assistance to prospective students joining the university.
With over five years of employment experience in retail stores such as Next, Lidl, and Currys, as well as in Social Media and Marketing roles, Olly brings a wealth of practical skills and knowledge to his academic pursuits.
Outside of his studies and work, Olly maintains an active lifestyle, enjoying sports such as tennis, badminton, table tennis, snooker, and running.
Student Trustee x 2 - Could this be you?
We are seeking two student trustees to join our Board of Trustees, which is the ultimate authority that governs the charity. If you would like to volunteer, help share your Students' Union, and enhance your employability then please get in touch with chi.lau@ccsu.co.uk.
Joe Cooper - Community Trustee
Joe Cooper is the Deputy Director (HR and Service Transformation) at Imperial College London. He was previously Managing Director of Imperial College Union and worked in the Students Union sector for 15 years, in a number of elected and appointed roles. He has also undertaken a number of voluntary roles, including as a Trustee of a local mental health charity and community centre, and as a founding Director of Canterbury Youth and Student Media Limited.
Joe originally studied Film, Radio and Television at Canterbury Christ Church University and served as its Students’ Union President in 2001/02. Joe lives in Canterbury with his wife Caroline and two daughters, Annabelle and Emmeline.
Michael Wigg - Community Trustee and Deputy Chair
Michael is the current CEO at the University of Westminster Students’ Union and has worked in the Students’ Union sector for over 16 years in a variety of different Unions alongside working on a national level through the National Union Of Students (NUS). He is an alumnus of Canterbury Christ Church University having studied Sports Science and Geography and was Vice President Welfare and Education of the Students’ Union for two years from 2004 to 2006. Michael has a particular interest in developing student communities, leadership development and the development and the implementation of digital engagement strategies. Michael helped develop the current governance code for Students’ Union boards which has been adapted from the National Charity Governance Code developed by a cross-sector collaboration project.
Graham Briscoe - Community Trustee
Graham is a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Information Technology Professional, a Certified Management Consultant, a Fellow of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management and the Institute of Administrative Management, and a medallist of the World Productivity Congress.
Following an Industrial Engineering apprenticeship in the Midlands he began his initial career in Work Study and Organisation & Methods. He has worked in many management services roles throughout his thirty-five year career with Royal Sun Alliance in Bristol, London, Horsham, and Liverpool, along with positions in the USA, Mexico and South Africa, encompassing many roles – project and change management, information technology, quality and customer service management, HR and Talent Management, facilities management, continuous improvement, transformational change, due diligence and office relocations associated with company mergers and acquisitions.
Since retirement he has built up a portfolio of University, Further Education, Multi Academy Trusts and Awarding Body governance roles along with NED and Trustee roles with Housing Associations, University Students' Unions and various Charities. Graham also covers Change Management and Facilities Management pro-bono support to Charity, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations in South-West England and South-East Wales.
Hannah Sketchley - Community Trustee
Bio coming soon!
Professor Niamh Downing, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education & Student Experience) - University Trustee
Bio coming soon!
Register of Trustees and Directors Interests
Under the Bye-Laws of Christ Church Students' Union, the Union is required to maintain a register of interests and significant holdings for the Trustees and the Directors. This Register was last updated in October 2023.
- One Trustee is a 'trustee, director, or shareholder' at Marjon Students' Union.
- One Trustee is a 'trustee, director, or shareholder' at Bristol Diocese Academy Trust.
- One Trustee is a 'trustee, director, or shareholder' at Heart MAT.
- One Trustee is in a 'senior management position' at the University of Westminster Students' Union.
- One Trustee is in a 'senior management position' at the University of East London.
- Two trustees are in a 'senior management position' at Canterbury Christ Church University.
- One Director is a 'trustee, director, or shareholder' at Inspira Academy Trust.
- One Director is a in a 'senior management position' at Swalecliffe Community Primary School.
No trustees or directors have made any other relevant disclosure expected under the 7 Principles of Public Life.