The Governing Body is the main decision making body of the University. It has the ultimate responsibility for setting and monitoring the strategy of the University.
The Governing Body agrees the strategy of the University in conjunction with the executive and monitors its implementation.
The Governing Body includes between 10 and 17 members. Governors include the Vice-Chancellor, two members of staff (appointed following a competitive selection process), and the President of Greenwich Students' Union. The remaining Governors are Independent Governors selected from outside the University for their skills and experience. Appointments to the Governing Body are overseen by the Nominations, Staffing and Governance Committee.
The University of Greenwich is a company limited by guarantee and an exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011. The Governing Body acts as the University's Board of Directors and charity trustees.
The University Secretary acts as Clerk to the Governing Body.
The Chair of the Governing Body is Bronwyn Hill CBE. The Chair and the Vice-Chair (Craig McWilliam) must be Independent Governors.
The Governing Body conducts its business through a number of committees which consider in depth the matters under their remit. The Governing Body currently has the following committees:
Committee chairs include Pamela Coles (Audit and Risk Committee), Murray Orr (Finance Committee, Elizabeth Sideris (Nominations, Staffing and Governance Committee and Remuneration Committee) and the Vice-Chancellor (the Academic Council). Bronwyn Hill chairs the Honorary Degrees Committee.
The Governing Body has adopted a Statement of Primary Responsibilities which defines its principal responsibilities and functions.
The Handbook for Governors provides Governors with information on the operations and management of the University and the Governing Body.
The Governing Body regularly reviews its effectiveness. A review by Halpin Partnership in 2022 concluded that the University complied with the governance codes issued by the Committee of University Chairs and the governance requirements of the Office for Students, and that Greenwich's governance was "'very good' with many areas of 'leading edge' practice". Further details are provided in Halpin's summary. A subsequent 12-month post-implementation impact review conducted by Halpin Partnership in early 2023 considered that Greenwich's governance was "excellent, with most areas being at leading edge".
Governing Body / University Court minutes