The Students’ Guild is a registered charity governed by the Trustee Board.
Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive to manage the day to day operations and it is the role of the Chief Executive to enact the strategy determined by the Trustees. The Students’ Guild is run on a day-to-day basis by its staff, officers and volunteers directed by its members' needs.
The Trustee Board is accountable to the Students’ Guild’s members, to the Charity Commission and to the public in general.
According to the Charity Commission: "Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the Charity, ensuring it is solvent, well run, delivering the charitable outcomes set out in its governing document".
To view the meeting minutes from previous Trustee Board meetings, please click here.
The Students’ Guild Trustee Board is made up of:
All four of the Students’ Guild’s Full-Time elected Officers are Trustees. The Guild President is Chair of the Trustee Board.
Full-Time Officers are:
Lily Margaroli
Lily studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics before being elected by student vote to the role of Guild president in March 2021 and then re-elected for a second and final term this year. Her role is three-fold: she is Chair of the Board; an elected student representative; and full-time employee of the Guild working closely with the Chief Executive to drive forward the strategy. She is particularly passionate about sustainability and harm reduction policies for drug and alcohol abuse, and this year she wants to elevate the voice of Exeter students by being more involved in national policy.
Jack Liversedge
Jack is the VP of Education this year, having been elected by students. Jack’s desire to fulfil this role originated from his own experience studying at the University of Exeter, as well as the experiences of fellow students. Having been diagnosed with dyslexia, Jack always found elements of academic study difficult. At an early age I felt that he would never get to university. Jack truly believe that the time he spent at university has been one of the most positive, formative periods of his life. This transformation was only possible because of support received from academic/personal tutors, learning support mentors and wellbeing services. It is his view that the university needs to be more proactive in outlining what support is available to students and improve communication with students where possible. Students deserve more and those that wish to improve should receive full support of the university.
Emma de Saram
Emma studied History before being elected by students to the role of VP Liberation & Equality. Emma has a passion for social and climate justice, and campaigns nationally and internationally.
Emma was a course representative, Women’s Equality Panellist and Campaigns Officer for Be the Change and Animal Welfare Society. Friends describe Emma as compassionate and motivated with a desire to empower all students, regardless of their background. Emma is passionate about making campus safer, more accessible and sustainable.
Izzie Dyer
Izzie studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics before being elected by the students to the role of VP Opportunities this year. Izzie is a PPE finalist, and has been involved in 10 different societies, including 4 committee roles giving Izzie a thorough understanding of the Exeter Guild. Izzie’s is focussed on reaching out and effectively listening to students to guarantee informed decision-making. Izzie is passionate about providing opportunities for all students. As a young carer, Izzie understands the limitations, and importance of listening to peoples’ needs to empathise and provide appropriate support.
There are up to four Trustees of the Students’ Guild who are current Exeter students (not Full-Time Officers, student staff or members of Elections Group). They are appointed from the student body.
Student Trustees are: Nur Farah, Niamh, Christopher, Alex.
Nur Farah Meor Azlan
Farah has started as Trustee for the Guild this year (2022). Farah is an international postgraduate research student (doing a PhD in Medical Studies) studying at St Luke’s. Farah has a wealth of experience volunteering within charities and community-based projects and has areal interest in running their own charity in the future.
Farah showed her interest in understanding and supporting a charity to run, plus there was a big passion about wanting to give back to the student community and working to help students have the best time at Exeter. Farah focused on the want to make sure every student has an opportunity to do their best which fits extremely well with our values. Farah gave plenty of great examples and experience about making important decisions, using their initiative and logic, and working with people to overcome barriers whilst being empathetic and caring. The values and experience that Farah holds would make them an excellent student trustee.
Niamh Crowe
Niamh has started as Trustee for the Guild this year (2022), is studying English & Film and TV Studies and going into their final year. Niamh has experience working in retail, would love to work in the charity sector in their career and has an interest in the finance side of Trustee Board and how the Guild spends their money. Niamh has also been a Peer Mentor for Disability (in particular Mental Health).
Christopher Menon
Christopher has started as Trustee for the Guild this year (2022), and is studying Biology and Computer Science through Flexible Combined Honours. Christopher was on placement at Vodafone and returned back to campus for their final year in September 2022. Christopher has been a committee member of the Contemporary Choir music society.
Alex Martin
Alex has started as Trustee for the Guild this year (2022), is studying History and will be going into their final year. Alex has been an active committee member of the Debating Society amongst participating in other societies and activities. Alex was also an elected National Union of Students (NUS) National Conference Delegate and represented Exeter on a national level at this conference.
There are up to four external Trustees who are appointed by the Board and Guild Council from the local community.
External trustees are: David, Natalie, Margaret, Julie, Harriet
David Craddock
David has recently relocated to the South West, and brings a wealth of experience in senior business development/commercial roles for Unilever and small businesses. He has also worked in the Higher Education sector leading collaborative projects across universities in Wales and is familiar with legal and commercial arrangements in the sector. David has also worked in South East Asia, Europe and North America in marketing roles.
Harriet Jones
Harriet is an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion specialist based in Exeter, with 10 years’ professional experience leading and influencing organisations on EDI by targeting the underlying causes of inequality. She has implemented impactful actions to progress systemic and cultural change in complex organisations, including Universities and most recently for the NHS. Harriet is committed to seeing the Guild at the forefront of EDI innovation and debate.
Julie Walkling
Experienced HE leader and professional since ‘95. Held roles at Director, Executive and Board levels. Passionate about student success and the transformational power and value of higher education. Vice-Chair of the Board, supports the President in the performance management of the Chief Executive. "Love being a Trustee at the Guild. It’s brilliant to be able to support students, officers and staff in this way."
Natalie Stewart
Senior Associate at US law firm Duane Morris LLP. Experienced solicitor with over a decade worth of experience in international finance law, including secondments to Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and Credit Suisse. Advises financial institutions and corporate clients on a wide range of banking and finance transactions, with a particular focus on debt capital markets, structured finance and securitisations. Trustee and Founder of The Hive Food Bank, Assistant Division Commissioner for GirlGuiding in Islington, passionate about the charity sector and inclusivity/widening participation agendas. University of Exeter alumna. "I really enjoy being an external trustee as it enables me to give back to an organisation that made my time at the University of Exeter so special."
Margaret Laithwaite
Held the role of Deputy Director of Finance at the University of Exeter for over 11 years, and before that was Head of Financial Operations at The University of Manchester. Finance specialist knowledge and a strong advocate for student experience and student voice.
"Being a Guild Trustees enables me to play a fundamental role in an organisation that can really make a difference to the University life of a student, preparing them for their future whatever that may be. I feel that I can use my 30 years of University senior management experience to support and challenge the CEO, Senior Management and the Board in a positive and constructive manner. As a student led organisation it allows me to continue to mix with and see how fantastic these young people are."