CHEAD’s Board of Trustees ensures that CHEAD operates in accordance with the objects enshrined in its constitution and shapes its future to deliver an exciting programme to meet the evolving needs of our membership.
Trustees, including the officers of Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer, are elected by the registered representatives of CHEAD member institutions.
The Board of Trustees comprises three Honorary Officers, six elected Trustees, up to four co-opted Trustees and two expert Trustees. The terms of appointment for officers and members of the Board of Trustees is normally three years.
Elections are held during the Annual General Meeting in the Spring of each year. A call for nominations is normally issued in January.
CHEAD has three Co-opted Trustee vacancies arising for the term 2026-2029:
- Co-opted Trustee: RIKE
- Co-opted Trustee: PR and Campaigning
- Co-opted Trustee: Business Development
This is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the vision and direction of an active, dynamic organisation dedicated to advancing art, design, and creative disciplines in higher education. Co-opted Trustees have an important role on the CHEAD Board of Trustees. They share the responsibility for governing CHEAD and providing strategic oversight and direction.
Co-opted Trustees are appointed to serve a three-year term. Retiring Trustees are eligible to stand for re-appointment but shall not normally serve for more than two terms of appointment consecutively.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a Co-opted Trustee role, you must be the main representative for a CHEAD member institution. If you are not the main representative for your institution, you should discuss and seek support from your main member representative. If you are not sure who the main representative is for your institution, please contact info@chead.ac.uk
Further information is available on the role and application process is available in the pack for each role below. To apply for a Co-opted Trustee role, you should complete an application form available via the links below.
Co-opted Trustee: RIKE information pack
Co-opted Trustee: RIKE application form
Co-opted Trustee: RIKE EDI form
Co-opted Trustee: PR and Campaigning information pack
Co-opted Trustee: PR and Campaigning application form
Co-opted Trustee: PR and Campaigning EDI form
Co-opted Trustee: Business Development information pack
Co-opted Trustee: Business Development application form
Co-opted Trustee: Business Development EDI form
Associate Trustee
CHEAD is committed to developing a diverse and inclusive leadership across higher education art & design and creative disciplines. As part of this commitment, we have created a 12-month programme for an Associate Trustee to provide an opportunity for emerging leaders to gain first-hand experience of charity governance and strategic leadership.
Associate Trustee information Pack
Associate Trustee application form
Associate Trustee EDI form
CHEAD is proactive in the receipt of nominations from underrepresented communities within our membership as we continue to build capacities in incorporating different perspectives.
As a membership body focussing on equity, diversity and inclusivity, we want to promote and support better representation across our board membership. We seek applicants for Trustees with additional knowledge and expertise within social justice practice and creative HE, to build capacity within our board and centre the voices of staff of colour and marginalised groups at the foreground of meaningful change.
The deadline for applications is 30 September 2026 at 12:00 noon.
