The dialogue describes the journey from being an institution where neither the governing body or the senior management team were judged to be ‘fit-for-purpose’, to the appointment of a new vice chancellor and new members of the governing body. The dialogue highlights the risk of governors acting as representatives when they are drawn from a specific constituency. The role of a nominations committee in rigorously evaluating all potential new members of the governing body to ensure they have the required knowledge and skills is stressed. The dialogue also discusses the period before the new vice chancellor took up post, and how the chair of the governing body worked as a ‘critical friend’ with the then deputy principal who was the acting head of the institution. Although the dialogue indicates further changes are required, Juliet Williams believes that the board is beginning to add value.
