Governance Services

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors oversees the activities of the University and determines its strategic direction. The powers of the Board are set out in the Instrument and Articles of Government.

The Board has a series of committees which deal with the detailed business of the Board, and the University Executive and the Academic Board have a series of committees and groups reporting into them.

University Policies & Procedures

Governance Services is not responsible for the development and review of the wide range of policies which provide a framework for University business. However, it does provide a framework in which policies should be formulated, structured, approved and reviewed, as well as a one-stop document library through which the University’s key policies and regulations can be accessed.

Legal Basis for the University

The University is a Higher Education Corporation in accordance with the Education Reform Act 1988. This is a distinct model of incorporation which applies to the majority of universities which were former polytechnics and subject to local authority control prior to the granting of university status in 1992 in the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.

University Subsidiary Companies

There are a number of benefits to establishing a subsidiary company, either as a company limited by guarantee, or one with or without a share capital.

Charitable Status

Northumbria University is an 'exempt charity' as defined in the Charities Act 1993 (as amended by the Charities Act 1996).

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

Northumbria’s approach to a range of Safeguarding legislation and regulatory guidance, including how to report concerns and allegations about possible abuse and/or neglect.