The Students’ Guild is a registered charity governed by a Trustee Board.
Day-to-day operations are managed by staff, elected Officers, and volunteers, under the leadership of Chief Executive Ali, who is delegated authority by the trustees to deliver the Guild’s strategy.
Curious about our finances? Check out our 2023–2024 Audited Accounts or visit Companies House for full details.
The Students’ Guild Trustee Board is made up of:
Sebastian is the Guild President 2025-26 and was elected as Education Officer in the 2024/2025 academic year.. Before his election, Sebastian studied for a BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics and acted as the treasurer of the University of Exeter Labour Society. Sebastian has a long history of political activism, fighting for local issues with on-the-ground action as well as nationwide through work with groups like Oxfam to achieve national change.
Bringing forward this experience, as well as his deep-rooted care for educational reform, to this role, Sebastian is looking to give students a real voice and help build a system that works for students
For the past four years, Francis has Studied MPhys Physics before being elected as Education Officer for the 2025/26 academic year. Prior to his election, Francis was a committed advocate for student voice in his department as their Department Officer for 3 years as well as being a volunteer for the University's Global Systems Institute (GSI). This experience will allow Francis to continue to bring about educational reform and provide ground-level perspectives on the student feedback process. Beyond this, Francis has previously been an active committee member for Space Exe, supporting access to science education as an Outreach Officer. He is passionate about removing barriers from the higher education system and promoting a sustainable and interdisciplinary curriculum.
Gemma Veal is the 2025/26 Societies and Employability officer for the Exeter Students Guild. She has graduated with a BA English and Drama degree from the University of Exeter. During her studies, she was onboard committees as Welfare for Drama Society and President for Contemporary Choir. She also volunteered as a peer mentor and worked as an Rep assisting on open days. She is passionate about Wellbeing, Accessablity, Creativity and Inclusivity. She has aspirations in supporting committees, spotlighting societies and working with the career zone to help students to feel excited for their futures.
Rose Arhin has recently completed her second year studying LLB Law. Alongside her passion for her course, she is deeply committed to promoting inclusivity and bringing people together, particularly within the university community. During her time at Exeter, Rose has been actively involved in student life, serving as the Social Secretary for the Legion Dance Society and contributing to the Guild’s Marketing Advisory Board, where she pitched ideas to help the Guild better engage with students. Rose’s goal is to help create a university environment that feels like a community for everyone, regardless of background or where they come from. She sees this role as an opportunity to further that mission and positively influence decisions that enhance the student experience for all.
Kira is going into their second year as Student Living Officer having completed their Psychology degree here at Exeter, getting involved with several societies, including taking on the roles of President of the Feminist society and Press and Publicity Officer for Exeter Model United Nations. Over the past year, Kira has taken on a range of projects, and they are super excited for another year empowering student voices at all levels within the Guild and the University, including on the trustee board!
There are up to five 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.
Edward started as a Trustee this year (2024) as a second-year student of History and Ancient History, with a particular interest in Ancient Roman History. Alongside his degree, he is an active member of a number of different societies, including the Classics Society and the Model United Nations Society, and is the Treasurer of Choral Society. He looks forward to working with the rest of the Board to help improve the Guild and provide the best experience for all students.
Marco is an international student from Italy going into the final year of an MPhys Physics degree. Alongside his studies, he is President of SpaceExe, the space and astronomy society, and has coordinated community assembly events for the Global Systems Institute. Passionate about sustainability and student representation, Marco is eager to work with the other Trustees to help ensure that every student feels represented, supported, and empowered to drive the change they want to see.
Mia completed her undergraduate and masters degrees at the University ofExeter. She is still studying here as PhD student in the Public Health andSport Sciences department. Throughout her higher education, she has been partof various societies including Muay Thai and Out of Doors. She has also alwaysenjoyed volunteering with charities and is a current member of the DevonWildlife Trust, enjoying conservation work and meeting a range of people.
Cordelia is going into her fourth year studying Politics after spending a year studying abroad in the United States. She has enjoyed taking part in a wide range of during her time in Exeter, including the Debating Society, XpressionFM Radio, ECG Bellringing Society and the UniBoob Team. She is a passionate student advocate and represented Exeter students at the National Union for Students Conference 2024. Cordelia is excited for the opportunity to continue to advocate for students as a member of the Board, and is committed to helping improve student wellbeing and equal access to academic success.
Dhruv is a Law student at the University of Exeter and a StudentTrustee. As a former Department Officer and Academic Representative for Law, heworked closely with staff and students to enhance academic life, wellbeing, andengagement, including playing a key role in introducing a new reading week interm two to help address student burnout. His experience also spans publicservice, having served as a Member of the UK Youth Parliament, as well as theprivate sector through a Compliance placement at AXA Investment Managers.
Dhruv is also actively involved in student life, having served on thecommittees of the Law Society, Zheng He, and XpressionFM, as well asparticipating in numerous other societies, such as Global Visionaries and theEntrepreneurs Society, throughout his time at Exeter.
Dhruv brings a strong commitment to fairness and inclusion, and a firmbelief in the power of student voice to shape the University community. Helooks forward to representing the diverse interests of all students andcontributing to the Guild’s meaningful work to ensure every student thrives atExeter.
There are up to five external Trustees from the local community who are appointed by the Board and students on the Guild Advisory Board.
Charles is a proud University of Exeter and St Luke’s alumni. He has worked in Finance for 8 years, leading sales teams across Europe with a focus on employee growth. Charles cares deeply about EDI and has led a range of initiatives within Employee Resources Groups, external committees and advocacy roles. Charles is also a keen sustainability advocate.
“I am excited to give back to Exeter University students in my role as trustee at the Guild, and help all existing and future students love it as much as I did.”
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.
Katy has worked in communications, marketing and recruitment, for 25 years, in roles covering retail, telecoms, and higher education. She is currently Pro Vice-Chancellor, Student Success at Plymouth Marjon University. She is passionate about increasing equality of opportunity, understanding student needs, and participation, and leads several equality-driven projects within her current role, in a context of a university driven by widening participation goals.
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 Trustee 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."
Sophie Elliott is the Director of Student Services at University College of Estate Management, with 10 years’ experience in higher education. Leading several key Student Services functions, she spearheads cross-institutional projects to enhance the student experience, improve satisfaction, and promote achievement. Sophie is passionate about the impact education can have and making it as accessible as possible. She is delighted to be a Trustee at the Guild, particularly as it values the student voice so highly.
