Board of Trustees
The Students' Union, like any charity, has a Board of Trustees that provide legal and financial oversight for the union, providing long-term stability. The Board meets five times a year and produces regular reports for Student Council and for our Annual General Meeting.
The Board is made up of the two elected full-time officers of the Students' Union, a further two student members (appointed by the rest of the Board) and four external members (appointed by the rest of the Board.) You find out about who your trustees are below, as well as the minutes of previous meetings of the Board of Trustees.
Our Board of Trustees
Alex Gooch - Officer Trustee
Alex completed his studies at the University of Suffolk in Special Educational Needs and Disability Studies (SENDS). During his studies, he was the acting Course Representative for his cohort for 3 years. During this time, Alex was also the Chair of the Student Council for 2 years, as well as a Student Trustee on the Board of the Student’s Union.
Alex was elected President of Education in the student elections and is looking forward to helping the University and Students’ Union bounce back and beyond post-pandemic. His Manifesto focuses on 4 key areas; helping students feel prepared for life after their degree; more sustainability on campus; increased training around mental health for personal tutors; and increased community.
Lou Chiu - External trustee/Chair of the Board
Lou is an intergrative Existentialist coach, trainer, and consultant whose specialises in cultivating cultural wellness and developing intersectional allies. Prior to setting up her own practice, Lou worked in marketing, communications, recruitment and student support roles in universities, colleges, and students’ unions across East Anglia over the past 16 years. She brings with her knowledge and experiences of governance, SU membership services, students’ experience, and stakeholder management. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University with a BA (Hons) Philosophy and Sociology and is currently completing her MA in Coaching and Mentoring Practices at Oxford Brookes University.
Jessie Leong - External Trustee
Born and raised in Suffolk, Jessie has a keen interest for her local community. As the digital marketing manager for one of the UK's most recognised consumer brands, she's interested in using her knowledge of retail and commerce along with her passion for education and people in a meaningful way. In her spare time, she's a keen reader and novice runner.
Kelly lambert - STUDENT TRUSTEE
A first-year PhD Psychology student investigating the aetiology of narcissistic personality disorder. Kelly is passionate about mental health and well-being. She applied for the role of Student Trustee to advocate for students to ensure that their time at the University of Suffolk is inclusive, accessible, safe and enjoyable: academically, socially, and culturally for all.
tyler payne - student trustee
Tyler is a Security Software Engineer Apprentice at BT studying with the University of Suffolk, in year 2 of his course, and has also been the Course Rep for his group since he began.
His work is largely based in upkeeping critical national infrastructure, and he spends lots of his free time experimenting with DnD and creative outlets of all sorts, as well as lots of social events.
Tyler joined the Student Union as a Trustee to gain a better insight into how to improve the University life for students of all kinds, to provide some unique perspective from the point of view of an apprentice, and to act as a branch of communication to several portions of the University from differing angles.
Minutes of past board meetings