Governance

Falmouth University is a Higher Education corporation created by statute and an exempt charity.
University governance is the constitutional forms and processes through which we govern our affairs and oversee the delivery and development of our Mission, Vision & Values.
The Board of Governors is the most senior decision-making body in the University's governance structure. This page sets out key information about the governing body and its responsibilities.
Board of Governors
About us
Established in accordance with the University's Articles and Instrument of Government, the University's Board of Governers meets six times a year. Its responsibilities are outlined in The Statement of Primary Responsibilities.
The Board operates in accordance with the Committee of University Chairs (CUC) Higher Education Code of Governance 2020 and Higher Education Senior Staff Remuneration Code, both of which have been formally adopted. The Board also operates in accordance with the seven principles identified by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership), and with due regard for both the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 insofar as it is applicable to the HE sector, and for the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
Sub-committees
The work of the Board of Governors is supported by three sub-committees:
Composition
The composition of the Board of Governors is determined by the Instrument of Government.
The majority of members are drawn from outside of the University and are referred to as independent members. The Board has a total of 13 members as follows:
- Nine independent members
- One academic staff governor
- One student governor – the serving President of the Students’ Union
- One co-opted professional services staff governor
- The Vice-Chancellor
The profile of membership reflects the experience and expertise required for the University to meet its statutory obligations and to achieve its strategic aims and objectives. The membership is subject to regular review against a matrix of expertise and experience.
Our Board Members
- Chris Pomfret OBE, Chair of the Board of Governors
- Julie Fielding, Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors
- Bob Fahy, Independent Governor
- Diane Grannell, Independent Governor
- David Harland, Independent Governor
- Professor Ruth Heholt, Academic Staff Governor
- Professor Emma Hunt, Vice Chancellor & Chief Executive
- Robert Ingram, Co-opted Professional Services Staff Governor
- Tim Jones, Independent Governor
- Hannah Oliveira de Whitlock, Student Governor
- Helen Owers, Independent Governor
- Professor Keith Straughan, Independent Governor

Chris Pomfret OBE
Chair of the Board of Governors
Chris was chair of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership since its incepti...

Julie Fielding
Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors
Julie Fielding is an Assistant Chief Constable with Devon and Cornwall Police and leads the force in...

Bob Fahy
Independent Governor
Bob Fahy is a Partner at Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP, based in its London office. After 20 years of ...

Diane Grannell
Independent Governor
Diane recently retired as Principal & Chief Executive of Bournemouth & Poole College, after ...

David Harland
Independent Governor
David held a variety of Executive roles at the Eden Project in Cornwall, United Kingdom from 2013 to...

Professor Ruth Heholt
Professor of Literature and Culture
Ruth Heholt is an internationally renowned scholar in the fields of Gothic, supernatural, Victorian,...

Professor Emma Hunt
Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive
Professor Emma Hunt joined Falmouth University as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive in January 202...

Rob Ingram
Co-opted Professional Services Staff Governor
Rob joined Falmouth University as Head of Employability in 2020 charged with developing a new 10-yea...

Tim Jones
Independent Governor
Tim Jones is chairman of the South West Business Council (formally the Devon & Cornwall Business...

Hannah Oliveira de Whitlock
Student Governor
I love the outdoors—cliff jumping, adventuring, and camping bring me a lot of joy. Working with my...

Helen Owers
Independent Governor
Helen has extensive senior executive experience in the media and creative industries. She was Presid...

Professor Keith Straughan
Independent Governor
Keith has enjoyed a long career in both academia and business.Trained first as a pure physicist, Kei...
Join our Board
If you are interested in joining our Board of Governors, please lodge your interest with Secretary, Robyn Wyatt.
Contact us
Please contact the Secretary to the Board of Governors if you require further information about governance at Falmouth University:

Robyn Wyatt
Head of Governance Services and Secretary to the Board of Governors