Governance

Creative bridge front angled

Falmouth University is a Higher Education corporation created by statute and an exempt charity, regulated by the Office for Students.

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 Governors meets six times a year. Its responsibilities are outlined in The Statement of Primary Responsibilities.   

The Board of Governors is accountable to the Office for Students for its adherence to the Conditions of Registration and Public Interest Governance Principles set out in the Regulatory Framework for Higher Education.  

The Board has adopted and operates in accordance with the Committee of University Chairs' Higher Education: Code of Governance, Senior Staff Remuneration Code, and Audit Committees Code of Practice; and operates with due regard to both the UK Corporate Governance Code and for the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, as applicable. 

Our Members act in accordance with the seven principles identified by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership)

Sub-committees

The work of the Board of Governors is supported by three sub-committees: 

The Board of Governors is advised by and oversees the work of Academic Board, the University’s senior academic authority, which has a range of responsibilities related to the determination of the approach to, and assuring the quality of, learning & teaching, assessment, research, and knowledge exchange. 

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 & Chief Executive

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 experienceFrom time-to-time the Board approves temporary increases to membership numbers for succession planning purposes.

Our Board Members

  • Chris Pomfret OBE, Chair of the Board of Governors
  • Helen Owers, Chair Elect
  • Julie Fielding, Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors
  • Cathrine Armour, Independent Member of the Board of Governors 
  • Iain Ellwood, Independent Member of the Board of Governors
  • Bob Fahy, Independent Member of the Board of Governors
  • Diane Grannell, Independent Member of the Board of Governors
  • David Harland, Independent Member of the Board of Governors
  • Professor Ruth Heholt, Academic Staff Member
  • Professor Emma Hunt, Vice Chancellor & Chief Executive
  • Robert Ingram, Co-opted Professional Services Staff Member
  • Tim Jones, Independent Member of the Board of Governors
  • Hannah Oliveira de Whitlock, Student Member
  • Evelyn Timson, Independent Member of the Board of Governors
  • Fran Woodward, Independent Member of the Board of Governors

Chris Pomfret OBE

Chair of the Board of Governors

Chris was chair of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership since its incepti...

Chris Pomfret OBE

Helen Owers

Chair Elect

Helen lives in Cornwall and has served on Falmouth University’s Board since 2019 as an Independent...

Helen Owers

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...

Julie Fielding
Headshot of Catherine Armour

Cathrine Armour

Independent Member of the Board of Governors

Cathrine is the global Director of Data Initiatives for the Task Force on Nature Related Disclosures...

Cathrine Armour

Iain Ellwood

Independent Member of the Board of Governors

Iain is the Chair UK of Design Bridge & Partners, a leading global creative business and part of...

Iain Ellwood
Bob Fahy

Bob Fahy

Independent Member of the Board of Governors

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

Bob Fahy

Diane Grannell

Independent Member of the Board of Governors

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

Diane Grannell
David Harland profile photo

David Harland

Independent Member of the Board of Governors

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

David Harland
Dr Ruth Heholt staff picture

Professor Ruth Heholt

Professor of Literature and Culture

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

Professor Ruth Heholt
Emma Hunt

Professor Emma Hunt

Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive

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

Professor Emma Hunt

Rob Ingram

Co-opted Professional Services Staff Member

Rob joined Falmouth University as Head of Employability in 2020 charged with developing a new 10-yea...

Rob Ingram
Tim Jones

Tim Jones

Independent Member of the Board of Governors

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

Tim Jones
Hannah Oliveira de Whitlock

Hannah de Oliveira Whitlock

Student Member

I love the outdoors—cliff jumping, adventuring, and camping bring me a lot of joy. Working with my...

Hannah de Oliveira Whitlock
Independent Member of the Board of Governors

Evelyn Timson

Independent Member of the Board of Governors

With over 30 years of experience in commercial leadership roles, Evelyn has worked at or with a vari...

Evelyn Timson
Woodward

Fran Woodward

Independent Member of the Board of Governors

Fran is the Chief Operating Officer and a Board member of Good Energy PLC, an AIM listed business wh...

Fran Woodward

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 image

Robyn Wyatt

Head of Governance Services and Secretary to the Board of Governors

 

E: robyn.wyatt@falmouth.ac.uk

T: +44 (0)1326 259265

Robyn Wyatt
Mary Flewitt

Mary Flewitt

Governance and Executive Support Officer

 

E: mary.flewitt@falmouth.ac.uk

T: 01326 213 770

Mary Flewitt