Glyndŵr University’s Board of Governors Lay Foundations For ‘New Era’

The Board of Governors at Glyndŵr University Wrexham is seeking fresh faces as it lays the foundations for a new era.

The Board is preparing for the arrival of incoming Vice-Chancellor Dr Maria Hinfelaar and is currently looking to recruit more members to ‘further strengthen’ the institution as it embarks on a five-year strategy aimed at doubling student numbers and increasing turnover to £75m by 2019/20.

Led by Chancellor Trefor Jones CBE and chair Maxine Penlington OBE – who joined in December – the committee will work closely with Dr Hinfelaar and the management team when interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Upton relinquishes the role in March.

Alongside these preparations they are seeking new governors to fill a number of vacancies that will arise this year, with the aim of further strengthening what is already a dynamic Board which has the interests of the students, staff, stakeholders and the community of north east Wales at heart.

Maxine said: “Several new governors have joined us in past months and with others coming to the end of their term of office this year we need to replace them with people who are just as enthusiastic, who will reinforce the foundations laid previously and help steer the institution along its planned trajectory.

“I am confident there is a bright future ahead and very much hope to see Glyndŵr consolidate its position as the University of and for north east Wales, supporting the aspirations of individuals, businesses and organisations of all kinds through education and training and the generation and transfer of knowledge.”

Other members who joined the Board in 2015 included the Bank of England’s former Agent for Wales, Neil Ashbridge; Denbighshire County Council’s Corporate Director: Economic & Community Ambition, Rebecca Maxwell, and Celia Jenkins, former High Sheriff of Clwyd, and in January 2016 they were joined by Gill Kreft, Proprieter of Pendine Park Care Organisation and Askar Sheibani, Group CEO of Comtek Network Systems.

Neil said: “There is a new focus at Glyndŵr University and I find that exciting to be involved with. I was also attracted by the positioning of the institution, as being even more ingrained in the community of north east Wales and its businesses – that’s really why I got involved.

“When you’ve worked in public service for such a long time you feel you’d like to give something back, and this is an opportunity to do so.”

The Board welcomes expression of interest from people who feel they would be able to make a significant contribution to the institution.

For more information, visit the Governance section or contact Val Butterworth on 01978 293268. Alternatively, email [email protected]