Thursday 14-05-2026 - 14:15

 

Nominations are open for the role of Student Trustee. But what is it actually like to be a Student Trustee?

 

 

As a registered charity, the Students’ Union’s operations are overseen by our Board of Trustees. The Board is made up of our Full-Time Sabbatical Officers as the political leadership of the organisation, a number of external trustees who provide their own experience and expertise, as well as four directly elected Student Trustees. The Board is chaired by the President and meet at several points throughout the year. 

Read more about the Trustee Board here.

 

 

Harrison Stewart, Student Trustee 25/26 said this about his experience of the role:

“Before becoming a Student Trustee, I don’t think I fully appreciated what the role actually involved. “Trustee” can sound quite formal and abstract, but in practice it means being in the room for some of the most important conversations about the Students’ Union, asking the questions that need asking, and making sure students are properly considered in decisions about the organisation’s future.

I’ve found the role genuinely worthwhile, both personally and professionally. You get real exposure to law, finance, accountancy, strategy, governance, risk, HR and charity regulation in a way that most student roles simply do not offer. In applications and interviews for corporate graduate schemes, I have always spoken about my time as a Trustee because it gives you concrete examples of responsibility, judgement and decision-making at a really senior level. More importantly though, it is a role where your perspective as a student can genuinely add value. If you care about how the Union works and want to understand decision-making properly, I would really recommend applying.”

 

 

Ariana Dell, Student Trustee 24/25 said this about her experience of the role:

“The role mainly consists of reading papers and attending board meetings to provide a student perspective on the agenda items. It’s not just an invitation to speak, you are also an equal member of the board so there is a responsibility to prioritise the benefit of the Union and to contribute confidently to board meetings. To help learn these skills, financial and charity law training is provided so you’re not thrown into the deep end! Also, if you find yourself struggling with anything from technical language to understanding your responsibilities, everyone is happy to help so you can get the most out of this experience. 

From my experience, being a Student Trustee is a lower commitment role compared to other voluntary positions available in the union, such as JCR exec roles. There is typically a full day board meeting that happens once or twice a term and smaller sub-committee meetings that you are assigned to for which you will read papers and prepare anything you wish to voice. 

I have found it to be very a fulfilling experience that teaches a lot of skills that are vital for employability and have met a lot of lovely people that are always happy to give advice. If you have any interest in pursuing a career in the third sector or policymaking this is a great opportunity to get real world experience for your personal development and to put on your CV. Also, if you have an interest in finances, the inner workings of LUSU, and are passionate about improving the union this role would be a perfect fit for you!”

 

Student Trustee (x2) 
Any member of the Students’ Union can run for this position, provided there is nothing barring them becoming a trustee. You must be a registered student for the full term in office (July 2026 – June 2027).

 

Read the role description here. 

Read more about the elections here.

 

If you have an interest in how organisations are run and would like to help support the effective running of LUSU, please nominate yourself online: www.lancastersu.co.uk/nominate

Nominations deadline: 6pm, Monday 25^th May 2026 (Week 25)