Strategy, Finance and Resources Committee

This Committee is responsible for considering matters relating to the detailed development of University Group strategy and the determination of large scale and reputationally sensitive capital developments.

It determines matters in respect of the financial affairs of the University, including ensuring the solvency of the University and safeguarding its assets, approving the financial strategy, approving annual operating plans and budgets which reflect the Corporate Plan, ensuring that funds are used in accordance with the Funding Council's Financial Memorandum and approving the annual accounts.

It is also responsible for the oversight of the strategic management of the University's land and buildings. It approves and keeps under review the University's Estates Strategy, ensuring that space and property requirements are identified to fulfil the objectives of the Corporate Plan and provides a planned programme of maintenance.

 Strategy, Finance and Resources Committee - Constitution and Terms of Reference

Nick Sale

Nick Sale

Chair

Appointed as an Independent Governor in September 2018, Nick became Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors and Pro-Chancellor in September 2020, before being appointed as Chair in September 2021. An experienced business leader and company director who worked as a chief operating officer in the automotive industry until early in 2018, Nick has a successful track record working throughout the world in Professional Services for both IT and Engineering Companies. More recently Nick has worked as an advisor and Non-Executive Director to both UK and International Technology Companies and is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.

Nick is also Chair of the Board of Governors and the Governance and Nominations Committee and a member of the People Committee and Remuneration Committee.


Helen Nixseaman

Helen Nixseaman

Deputy Chair

Currently in their first term as Deputy Chair and second term as a Governor, Helen was appointed in September 2017. Prior to this Helen was an external co-opted member. Helen is a Chartered Accountant with expertise in risk management and internal controls, with a career that has included being a risk assurance partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Helen has an MA in Natural Sciences and an MSc in Biochemical Engineering.

Helen is also Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors and a member of the Governance and Nominations Committee, People Committee and Remuneration Committee.


Professor John Latham

John Latham CBE

Executive Member (Vice-Chancellor)

John leads the delivery of the University Group’s strategic objectives as agreed by the Board of Governors and was appointed Vice-Chancellor in 2014. A double graduate of the University, they have a background in information technology and telecommunications, having held high-profile roles at regional, national and European levels promoting innovation, technology and economic development.

John is a non-executive Director of Health Education England (the primary funder of health related education in England), is a Council member of InnovateUK (part of the UK’s National Research Agency (UKRI)) and is a Board member of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership. John is additionally an advisory board member of the UK’s National Growth Board, which is responsible for the oversight of the UK’s European Structural Funds Programme.

John is the Extraordinary Professor in the area of enterprise and entrepreneurship at Stellenbosch University, South Africa and is also a member of the Board of Governors, and People Committee.


Fred Wright

Fred Wright

Independent member of the Board of Governors

Appointed as an Independent member of the Board of Governors in September 2018, Fred is the Group Operations Director of the volume housebuilder and developer, HarperCrewe (Holdings) Ltd. As both a board advisor and consultant, Fred has worked with clients including the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Homes England, UK Home Office and a selection of FTSE 100 companies.

With over 30 years’ experience in the private sector, they have worked at C-level for a range of multinationals including Royal Dutch Shell, Michelin Tyre Plc, Calor Group Plc and on an international basis for the world's largest privately-owned trading group SHV Energy NV.

Fred currently holds a portfolio of non-executive director roles in both the public and private sectors and is Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee of two SE based local authority trading companies (LATCs), engaged in construction, regeneration and place making.

Fred is also Chair of the Enterprise and Innovation Committee and a member of the Board of Governors.


Peter Reynolds

Peter Reynolds

Independent member of the Board of Governors

Peter, first appointed to the Board of Governors as an independent member of the Board of Governors in September 2020, is a marketing and sales specialist with over 30 years’ experience in consumer goods and professional services in national and international leadership roles. He was previously a board governor of Instructus (a charity that supports apprenticeships and other workplace learning) and Chair of The Institute of Paralegals.

Peter’s international know-how comes from 15 years living and working overseas. Based in Bangkok for seven years, he worked across the whole of Asia helping companies create and implement growth strategies. On moving to Switzerland, he led the EMEA sales function for a large US consultancy.

Peter is active in his local community, being a committee member of drama and folk music groups. Peter is also a member of the Board of Governors and Chair of Global Committee.


Sue Horner

Sue Horner MBE

Independent member of the Board of Governors

Appointed to the Board of Governors in September 2018, Sue began a career as a school teacher and has been at the forefront of developments within the national curriculum in the UK in her capacity as Director of Curriculum for England, leading a team working on the national curriculum and regulating GCSE and A level examinations. Sue is a leader in education and the arts with a commitment to young people, their futures and what they need to succeed.

Sue has also worked at an international level in Rwanda and Oman assisting in the redevelopment of their education systems and is recognised as an international expert on reading and its assessments.

Closely involved with arts charities, particularly those working with children and young people, they are focussed on creative writing and reading. In 2013 Sue was awarded an MBE for services to literature.

Sue is also Chair of the Charities Committee and a member of the Education Committee.


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