STUDENT TRUSTEE 

Exeter Students’ Guild is looking for Trustees to join our Board. This role would specifically be a Student Trustee role.

The Board of Trustees has ultimate legal responsibility for the Exeter Students’ Guild’s work. Trustees have a vital role in overseeing the governance, finances and strategy of the Guild. It is also an exceptional opportunity to develop skills which will be valued by employers.

The student membership elect Officer Trustees while the Student and External Trustees are appointed to make sure the Board is balanced and has a good collection of skills, interests and experience.

We are looking for Student Trustees to join our Trustee Board alongside 14 other Trustees consisting of: 5 External Trustees, 7 other Student Trustees and 2 Elected Officer Trustees.

The post of the Student Trustee is appointed for a period of two years (one term) with the option of a second term (you can just do 1 year of the two-year term if needed). You are required to meet trustee eligibility criteria (as outlined by The Charity Commission), and please note this role is not remunerated. However, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

INTERESTED?

Please take a read through our Trustee Recruitment Pack for more information including the Essential and Desirable criteria for the role.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this role, please complete the application form via our portal.  

You will need to submit an up-to-date CV and will be asked to provide responses (max 300 words each) to the following questions:

1. Tell us why you’d like to join the Exeter Students’ Guild as a Trustee - how do your personal values align with the Guild’s core values?

2. What knowledge, abilities, and experience can you contribute to our Board?

We recommend you refer to the ‘About You’ section of the Trustee Recruitment Pack to support your answers to the above questions.
If you require any support with your application, please note the University of Exeter Career Zone offers help with CVs and Applications.
If you have any questions or queries about the role, please drop an email to our Chair of the Trustee Board, Seb Racisz (Guild President) sebastian.racisz@exeterguild.com  

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

We hope to hold interviews on the below times, therefore please make a note of these dates in your diary:
Closing date for applications:  3rd May 2026
Group interview: Late May/Early June 2026  
Trustee Training: 30th June 2026 
First Trustee Board to observe: 6th July 2026

Please note we will aim to work flexibly with candidates around interview dates.

HEAR FROM A CURRENT TRUSTEE:

Testimonial from Student Trustee, Cordelia 

What inspired you to become a trustee?
Societies - and by extension, the Guild - have been a central part of my experience at Exeter, which inspired me to get more involved in my final year. Becoming a trustee felt like the perfect opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how the Guild operates at a strategic level, and how it supports students beyond my own experience. Having faced challenges during my time at university, I was also motivated to give back to the organisation that supported me, and to work alongside Officers and Guild Leaders to strengthen that support for others.

How has the experience benefited you personally or professionally?
Being a trustee has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Exeter. I have gained valuable insight into how charities operate, from legal responsibilities to financial oversight, as well as how decisions are made in professional group settings. Guild staff and fellow trustees have been incredibly supportive, helping me build a strong understanding of governance and management processes. This experience has not only shaped how I approach my role as a society leader but also influenced my thinking about future career opportunities. Personally, I have really enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the valuable work the Guild does and the impact it has on students. Professionally, I have been given more responsibility and insight into management processes than ever before, which has been incredibly valuable for developing my skills and confidence.

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a trustee?
Being a trustee has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Exeter. I have gained valuable insight into how charities operate, from legal responsibilities to financial oversight, as well as how decisions are made in professional group settings. Guild staff and fellow trustees have been incredibly supportive, helping me build a strong understanding of governance and management processes. This experience has not only shaped how I approach my role as a society leader but also influenced my thinking about future career opportunities. Personally, I have really enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the valuable work the Guild does and the impact it has on students. Professionally, I have been given more responsibility and insight into management processes than ever before, which has been incredibly valuable for developing my skills and confidence.