Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees acts on behalf of the Students’ Union with the ultimate responsibility for the strategic direction, financial well-being and reputation management of the organisation.
“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 accepts ultimate liability for the affairs and 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.
Composition of the Board
The Board is made up of four different types of Trustees:
Sabbatical Trustee
The three full-time elected officers
Student Trustee
Up to six volunteer 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
Sabbatical Trustees
Joseph Butler-Moor, Students' Union President
Sabbatical Trustee
Bio coming soon!
Molly Davies, President (Student Life)
Sabbatical Trustee and Chair
Molly was re-elected as President (Student Life) for 2025/26. Molly has been at CCCU since 2021 and has now completed her BSc Psychology undergraduate. During her time as a student, Molly was a part of the Christ Church Lions and became President of the Netball Club in 2023/24. Molly is super passionate about sports and recognises the importance of sports clubs and societies at CCCU. She is looking to run campaigns throughout the year that are shaped to help students directly, particularly focusing on wellbeing and student engagement.
Emma Lawrence, President (Academic Life)
Sabbatical Trustee
Emma is the newly elected President (Academic Life) for 2025/26. Emma has been a student at CCCU since 2022, recently finishing her English Literature undergraduate degree. She has been an active member of Christ Church Lions, becoming President of the Dance Club in 2024/25. Emma was also a student representative and Union Council member, as well as a peer mentor. She plans to run campaigns throughout the year focused on employability and academic support, ensuring students’ voices are heard.
Student Trustees
Kirsty McDonnell
Kirsty is currently studying for her Master’s in Media and Communications after earning a first in her undergraduate degree at CCCU. Her experience includes roles as a Student Ambassador, placements at Havering Council, and work with Home Instead as a Networking and Community Engagement Officer. She currently serves as President of the CCCU Business Society.
Ali Ghega
Ali is an international student in his second year and was the Students' Union President last academic year. With experience in both the UK and Pakistan, Ali brings a global perspective. He is committed to supporting student wellbeing, campus safety, and community inclusion.
Rudra Banerjee
Rudra is an MBA International Business student from Kolkata, India. As an International Student Ambassador and Course Representative, he promotes inclusivity and communication between students and faculty. He represented CCCU at the International Student Christmas Conference at Cumberland Lodge in 2024.
Samuel Newman
Samuel studies International Relations and has a strong interest in diplomacy. He studied abroad in Germany and currently serves as an International Student Ambassador, Careers & Enterprise Ambassador, and Student Trustee. He recently attended the 2025 Transatlantic Formal in Brussels with Young Professionals in Foreign Policy.
Simran Thapa
Simran is a Human Resource Management student who began with a foundation year in 2022. As a Union Council representative and Peer Mentor, she has actively advocated for international students and was named Change Maker Champion 2023. She aims to enhance the international student experience and foster a sense of global community.
Community Trustees
Michael Wigg, Deputy Chair
Michael is CEO at the University of Westminster Students’ Union and has over 16 years of sector experience. An alumnus of CCCU, he served as Vice President Welfare and Education (2004–2006). He is particularly focused on student leadership development and digital engagement strategies.
Graham Briscoe
Graham is a Chartered Engineer and Management Consultant with decades of experience in project and change management. Post-retirement, he serves in various governance and trustee roles across education, housing, and charity sectors. He provides pro-bono support to not-for-profit organisations in the South-West and South-East UK.
Hannah Sketchley
Hannah leads Public Affairs and campaigns at the National Union of Students UK. She began her journey in student media and held a sabbatical role at SU UCL. She is passionate about democratic education and sharing power within universities and unions.
Tom Wren-Lowry
Bio coming soon!
Raymond Shuai
Raymond is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of strategic financial experience. Now leading a CFO advisory practice, he supports fast-growing tech companies. Living in Canterbury, Raymond is dedicated to local community initiatives.
University Trustee
Professor Becky Huxley-Binns, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost
Becky joined CCCU in September 2024. An award-winning legal scholar and leader, she oversees academic and administrative operations at the University and acts as the senior management link to the Students' Union.
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.
Disclosures include:
- 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 senior management positions at Canterbury Christ Church University.
- One Director is a trustee, director, or shareholder at Inspira Academy Trust.
- One Director is in a senior management position at Swalecliffe Community Primary School.
No other disclosures were made under the 7 Principles of Public Life.