Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is The University of Manchester’s governing body. It carries the ultimate responsibility for our overall strategic direction and for the management of our finances, property and affairs generally, including the employment arrangements for all staff.

One role of the Board to satisfy itself that work being undertaken on its behalf, whether by committees or by officers, is consistent with corporate objectives and is within the bounds of accepted good practice.  

The Board meets formally at least five times in each academic year. Its membership of 23 has a majority of persons who are not employed by the University, known as lay members. The Chair of the Board of Governors, Philippa Hird, is appointed by the Board of Governors from within the lay category of the membership. Members of the Senate, a member of the support staff and student representatives also serve on the Board.

Primary responsibilities of the Board of Governors

The Board’s primary responsibilities are defined in the Schedule of Ordinances (revised July 2021).

Scheme of Delegation 

This document describes the method through which the Board of Governors decision-making is delegated. 

Committees reporting to the Board of Governors

The following committees report to the Board of Governors:

In addition to the above, the Planning and Resources Committee (PRC) is the key central management committee. It is chaired by the President and Vice-Chancellor, and includes in its membership the Vice-Presidents, the Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, and the Director of Finance, with representation from heads of services and the Students’ Union. 

The PRC serves as the primary source of advice to the Board of Governors on matters relating to the development and allocation of the University’s resources, on strategic planning issues and on the financial, educational and research performance of the University against agreed goals and targets. 

Additionally, in consultation with other relevant committees, it develops, for approval by the Board, the University’s annual planning, budgeting, performance evaluation and accountability cycle, revisions of the University’s Strategic Plan and an annual University budget.

The Senate, which acts as the University’s principal academic authority, also reports to the Board.

Membership of the Board of Governors

The Board of Governors has 23 members. 

Board of Governors meeting dates for 2024/25

  • Thursday 10 October 2024
  • Wednesday 20 November 2024
  • Wednesday 19 February 2025
  • Wednesday 19 March 2025
  • Thursday 22 May 2025
  • Wednesday 23 July 2025

Enquiries

Enquiries about the Board of Governors may be addressed to: deputysecretary@manchester.ac.uk.

Minutes of meetings of the Board of Governors

You can download the minutes of our most recent Board of Governors meetings (all the files below are PDF documents):

View the minutes from older meetings in our archive of Board of Governors meetings.