Trustees

UWESU is a medium sized charity representing the interests of over 30,000 students of UWE and running a variety of services and commercial outlets. The Board of Trustees acts on behalf of UWE Students’ Union with the ultimate responsibility for the strategic direction and financial well-being of the organisation.

The Board of Trustees contains five elected officer trustees and two student trustees, whose role is to ensure that all decisions are made with the best interests of students at heart and that UWESU is serving its members to the best of its ability. 

The Board also has up to five external independent trustees, these are voluntary positions filled by people who have knowledge and experience in one or some of the following areas: finance, human resources, strategic development, fundraising & campaigning, business management and not for profit organisations.

Current Trustees 

Emmanuel Okon

Type of Trustee: Elected Officer - SU President
Took office: July 2012
Due to leave: June 2013

Olly Reid

Type of Trustee: Elected Officer - Vice-President Education 
Took office: June 2011
Due to leave: June 2013

Louise Goux-Wirth

Type of Trustee: Elected Officer - Vice-President Community & Welfare
Took office: June 2011 
Due to leave: June 2013

Nina Gizzie

Type of Trustee: Elected Officer - Vice-President Sports
Took office: July 2012
Due to leave: June 2013 

Annie Turner

Type of Trustee: Elected Officer - Vice-President Societies & Communication
Took office: July 2012
Due to leave: June 2013 

Craig Pocock

Type of Trustee: External
Took office: January 2011 
Due to leave: December 2015

Craig is currently a senior HR manager for the Nationwide Building Society - previously to this he held a number of senior appointments in both Lloyds TSB and the NatWest Group.

Craig has been a student at the UWE (twice) – firstly taking a Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and secondly as a masters student. He has also been an adviser to the Bristol Business School and has undertaken private consultancy work for the Student Union. Craig believes that the UWESU plays a key role in the overall student experience both in terms of the activities that are organised as well as student representation

Craig is a Chartered Fellow and Past Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, a Justice of the Peace (sitting in Bristol) and a well known rugby referee. He also enjoys squash, ski-ing and generally keeping fit

Craig was born and bred in Bristol and currently lives in Long Ashton along with his partner and 4 chickens

Peter Brasted

Type of Trustee: External
Took office: January 2011
Due to leave: December 2015

Peter is a former academic who studied Psychology at the University of St. Andrews. Having gained a PhD in Psychology from the University of Cambridge, he worked at a US government research institute in Washington DC as a Research Fellow for 5 years.

On his return to the UK, he trained as an accountant with KPMG and now works in the finance department of University Hospitals Bristol as their Principal Cost Accountant. He is a both a chartered accountant and a qualified tax accountant.

Peter welcomed the opportunity to become a trustee at UWESU so as to make a positive difference to student life at the University. Originally from Dorset, he now lives in Bedminster with his wife and two dogs (a cocker spaniel and a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever) and enjoys letterboxing, bridge, and organising a regular quiz at his local.

James Clune

Type of Trustee: External
Took office: November 2012
Due to leave: October 2016

James has been the General Manager of the Severn River Crossing Plc since 2000 having joined the company in 1993. He is responsible for the running of the company whose turnover is around £70m and enploys 180 staff and many contractors and consultants.

James is also a trustee of the Company Pension Scheme and has been Chair since 2000 and has completed the Trustee Toolkit issued by the Pensions Regulator.

James is a coporate member of the Chartered Institue of Building, has a postgraduate Dioploma in Law from UWE (1998) and is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Chris Nicholls 

Type of Trustee: Student
Took office: February 2012
Due to leave: January 2016

I'm currently in my second year studying Mathematics as a mature student, and hope to go on to work as an actuary upon graduation  Before returning to university I have been working in the fitness industry as a groups fitness instructor, personal trainer and massage therapist, and I continue to teach fitness classes around Bristol to help support me financially whilst at university.  Fitness is also a big hobby of mine and I train regularly with a friend.

I have lived in Bristol for over 7 years, currently living in Brislington where I live with my partner.  Originally I'm from Plymouth where I lived to the age of 18 before moving away to Birmingham to go to university.  However I wasn't very focused on studying the first time I went to Uni so I eventually dropped out to work out what I wanted to do with my life.

I put myself forward to be a trustee to give back to the SU. I like to get involved in making a difference to mine and others education and already stand as a rep for my course and act as chair for my department forum meetings.  I also understand the importance of the role of a trustee to the operation of the SU having managed a members owned health club that relied on a committee of members to oversee the operation and long term objectives of the health club.

Holly Manners

I am currently in my third year of my law degree. I hope to also stay at UWE to complete my legal practise course next year in order to become a solicitor.
Before coming to UWE I set up my own business, which I have continued to run alongside my degree. This taught me about how to run a business efficiently and effectively.
 
During my time at UWE I also gained experience in the legal sector. I have worked as a mini pupil within chambers and shadowed solicitors in firms. Recently I secured a position as a probate advisor for the Co-operative Legal Services.
 
I wanted to be a trustee of the UWESU simply to give something back to the union that has helped me considerably during my years at university. I also felt that my previous experience in business was suited to the role and that I would learn a significant amount from the experience and responsibility.