Meet our members

Members of our General Assembly come from all sectors and backgrounds, providing a broad range of perspectives on our University’s activity.

Here, four of our current and recent members share their experiences of volunteering on the Assembly.

Gillian Easson

I was enormously proud to be the University's Pro-Chancellor and member of the General Assembly.

A global university like Manchester needs a vibrant, diverse General Assembly to support its unique commitment to social responsibility, education, research and innovation. This special body connects people from widely differing backgrounds who share their experiences and expertise to raise awareness of the University’s achievements.

There were so many unforgettable moments during my decade as a Member – acting as Nominations Committee Chair for six years and Chair of General Assembly meetings for the Chancellor. The breadth and impact of the University’s reach, work and solutions has continually impressed me and I will never forget hearing from world-leading minds about global challenges, policy and the revolutionary potential of research, which spans the development of graphene, helping to cure global disease, and exceptional literary, cultural and artistic achievements, not to mention other exciting work undertaken by staff and students.

Membership of the General Assembly is an inspirational, important and transformational experience. You will have the opportunity to forge strong, new relationships and develop powerful networks to improve society. Your ambassadorial ability to encourage, inspire and enthuse helps make a real difference to people all around the world and may just change your life – it has mine.

Janet Webster

I have been a member of the General Assembly for 12 years and joined while working at the examinations board based on campus. 

Over the past decade, members have been able to participate in informed debates on all aspects of the University’s work. We have been provided with absolutely first-rate presentations on finance, the estate and plans for its development.

The Vice-Chancellor has been instrumental in ensuring that we are increasingly involved and fully informed; all members of the Assembly have been invited to receive weekly e-updates and have the opportunity to get involved in public sessions of other University committees.

Assembly members also enjoy a variety of more social functions – lectures, presentations, invitations to honorary degree ceremonies – all of which help to involve us fully and to keep us well-informed.

Membership of the General Assembly has helped me to understand and tell others about the University's integral role within Manchester and the region, as well as the worldwide fraternity of higher education. I feel empowered to be a much more effective ambassador for the University and able to champion its cause within the circles in which I move.

John Schultz

I joined the General Assembly soon after my retirement from the chief executive role of a public sector organisation in Greater Manchester. I was able to use my network of contacts to publicise the University’s many great achievements and initiatives, drawing in particular on the regular briefings members of the General Assembly receive and visits to University facilities.

Through constructive but sometimes challenging questions, and participation in some discussion groups, I hope I was able to contribute in a small way to the University’s plans and actions.

My sense of engagement was further strengthened by the fact that I had attended the University as a postgraduate, where I met my future wife, and that one of our daughters studied there too. That said, a strong family connection is not necessary at all for those looking to join the General Assembly.

My years as a member of the General Assembly have been very rewarding and the highlight of each year is attending the Foundation Day ceremony. It's been a priviledge to see honorary degrees being awarded to some of the most extraordinary and impressive people, with the chance to hear their stories.

Dr Bill Craig

After spending more than five years as an elected member of the General Assembly, representing the Alumni Association, I am pleased to encourage others with a genuine interest in The University of Manchester to offer their expertise, experience and guidance either by standing for election or accepting nomination/appointment in the various categories of membership.

My own experience, as an alumnus and visiting academic (post-retirement), has been that the two meetings each year provide me with comprehensive reviews of activities, achievements and events around the University, alongside more detailed presentations on particular topics, such as financial management. Following these oral presentations, the two-hour meetings allow time for open discussion of questions from the membership. Responses are often given on the spot, but longer or more considered replies are circulated post-meeting if necessary. 

Each question is treated on its merits in the spirit that the General Assembly is at once an outward conduit to the wider community around the University, but also a vehicle by which valuable inward communication can be offered by those with experience and expertise.

I have enjoyed the involvement and recommend it to others.