Monday 22-02-2021 - 09:00

New Chief Executive Misbah Ashraf starts her new role at Lancaster University Students’ Union today. 

Misbah, who was previously the SU’s Head of Marketing & Organisational Development and Interim Chief Executive, has returned to work to take up her new role following a period of maternity leave. 

She said: “I feel very proud and privileged to have been given the opportunity to lead such an incredible team of people and I’m really excited about the work we’re going to do together. 

“The union currently faces numerous challenges – including the financial impacts of the pandemic, the difficulty of engaging with our members remotely and the important task of agreeing and implementing changes to our governance structures. 

“Although I have already spent a period as interim CEO, the Trustee Board I’ve now been given a mandate to think differently about what we do and how we do it. Engaging with our student membership will be vital as we begin to emerge from Covid restrictions and I look forward to many productive conversations with Lancaster students in the months ahead.” 

Misbah’s appointment was welcomed by Trustee Board Vice-Chair Graeme Osborn. 

He said: “As we look the future it is important that Lancaster University Students’ Union is led by a Chief Executive who knows the organisation well and is passionate about taking it forward. 

“The whole Trustee Board are looking forward to working with Misbah in her new role as we address the challenges that have emerged over the last year and work to ensure the Lancaster experience is everything our members expect.” 

SU President Oliver Robinson said: “We’re delighted to welcome Misbah Ashraf back as our permanent Chief Executive.  

“The students who interviewed her and the Trustee Board all have confidence in her ability to take the Union forward and to build an organisation that works so much better for the membership.” 

Misbah is keen to hear feedback – good and bad – about the SU from our student members. She can be contacted at misbah.ashraf@lancaster.ac.uk or you can follow her on Twitter or Instagram.