Audit and Risk Committee
This Committee is responsible for directing and overseeing the University's arrangements for internal and external audit. It provides impartial advice to the Board on the discharge of the Board's responsibilities for proper financial management, for the effectiveness of risk management, internal control and management systems, and for the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which the University's activities have been properly discharged.
Audit and Risk Committee - Constitution and Terms of Reference (CTRs)
Vacancy
We are currently inviting expressions of interest for governor vacancies across the Board of Governors and its Committees. This committee currently has a vacancy for the role of Governor, and we are particularly keen to hear from individuals who are qualified accountants.
You can view further information including a role description and details of how to enquire.
Anne Obey OBE
Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and Independent member of the Board of Governors
Appointed as an Independent member of the Board of Governors in September 2020, Anne is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ experience. Anne is Senior Independent Director of Western Provident Association where she chairs the Audit Committee and is a member of the Risk Committee, Nominations and Governance Committee, Remuneration Committee and Personnel Committee. She is also an Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee of the Department for Business and Trade. She formerly chaired the board of Centre for Sustainable Energy, a charity working to change the way we think and act about energy.
Anne’s executive career included 15 years in leadership positions at Nationwide Building Society, including as Director of Financial Reporting and as Chief Internal Auditor, following a career in the audit practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers specialising in retail financial services. Anne has extensive experience of finance, risk management and internal controls. In 2019 Anne was awarded an OBE for services to financial reporting and sustainable energy.
Anne is also a member of the Board of Governors.
Tutu Kamara
Independent Governor
Tutu is a Chartered Certified Accountant and corporate governance professional with over two decades’ experience in internal audit, risk management, and financial controls. She has held roles within the fintech, asset management, banking, and insurance Financial Services sectors. She has a proven track record of advising on and implementing risk mitigation measures, regulatory compliance, and fostering organisational resilience, thus ensuring robust frameworks for governance and financial oversight.
She was appointed to the Audit and Risk Committee in November 2024 and is also a trustee of HomeStart Wandsworth and The Hornsby house School PTA. She holds a BSc. in Biochemistry with French, and an MSc. In International Management, both from King’s College London.
Nicolas Taylor
Independent Governor
Appointed to the Board of Governors in September 2020, Nicolas is an International Business Lawyer, Board Adviser and Legal and Compliance Specialist, expert in guiding the development and delivery of critical business and legal strategies for high-growth businesses to drive sustainability and risk awareness.
Nicolas currently serves as Head of Legal to Realty Income, Europe, having previously held the roles of General Counsel for JLL in EMEA, Legal Director for Dell Computer in Europe and Latin America, and practised as a solicitor in the City of London. They have a proven track record leading and integrating a broad range of acquisitions to expand into emerging territories and enable core market transformations. Nicolas has extensive experience of negotiating and delivering international projects and investments and building strong cross-cultural senior stakeholder relationships to board and government level.
Nicolas holds an LL.B. with French Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science and the University of Strasbourg and can speak six languages including English, French and Spanish.
Nicolas is also a member of the Board of Governors.
Janet Chapman
Independent Governor
Janet enjoyed a long executive career working financial services in the UK and the USA. She held senior roles in Citigroup, Nationwide Building Society and Mistubushi UJF. Her time with Nationwide reinforced for her the importance of building societies and she now serves as a non-executive director for the Tipton and Coseley Building Society.
Recently elected as a governor of Coventry University, she is also a trustee for the Museum of the Home, the Black Country Living Museum and the Regal Tenbury Wells reflecting her passion for the role of education, arts and culture in our society. She lives in Worcestershire.
Michael Harrats
Independent Governor
Michael Harrats is a senior lawyer with significant experience in asset management financial services. He currently serves as Head of Legal (Investments & Operations) at Legal & General (Asset Management Division). Michael leads a team of lawyers and paralegals bringing extensive experience in capital deployment, derivatives, trading, and collateral management, supporting innovative investment solutions, investment funds and fintech. His expertise includes strategic oversight of technology initiatives, such as AI and blockchain, and leading legal support for digital transformation within the organisation.
A recognized leader in promoting socio-economic mobility, Michael co-chairs the Legal & General Social Mobility Staff Network, collaborating with third-sector providers and organizing insight days for students from nontraditional socio-economic backgrounds. Under Michael's leadership, the network won the Championing Social Mobility Award at the Financial Times Diversity in Finance Awards in 2024. In addition, Michael is a founding member of Legal & General's PRIDE network for LGBT+ staff and allies.
Michael previously served as a non-executive director for Legal & General’s Singapore asset manager. His career spans top-tier law firms and financial institutions. Michael holds a First-Class LLB (Hons) and Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Glasgow and is qualified as a solicitor in Scotland and is a member of the Law Society of Scotland.
Michael is also a member of the People Committee.
