Corporate Governance changes approved by Lancaster University

Lancaster University’s Council has approved changes to the University’s statutes for submission to the Privy Council, following formal votes by Senate and Council.

These changes are designed to modernise the governance of the University and the way in which the University Council operates. There will be a more transparent process for the appointment of members of Council through a reconstituted Nominations Committee. The size of Council will be reduced from 32 members to 22. It will still retain members drawn from the staff and students of the University, although the majority will be formed by 13 independent members.

The role of the Deputy Pro-Chancellors has also been clarified and the mechanism for their appointment has changed.

This follows a long consultative process by the Council's working party on Corporate Governance involving approximately 450 people and several organisations and formal discussion at the University's Senate, Council and Court meetings.

The changes will now be submitted to the Privy Council and will be subject any amendments that the Privy Council may require. The university hopes to implement these changes for October 2006.