University of the Arts London, University Secretary

United Kingdom

14 Jul

Welcome Letter

We are delighted that you are considering an opportunity to join University of the Arts London (UAL) at an important juncture in our history.

UAL is the UK's largest specialist art and design university and one of the world's leading creative institutions. Ranked second in the world for Art and Design in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 and the highest ranked undergraduate arts and design educator globally for the eighth consecutive year, we are home to over 20,000 students from more than 130 countries and a diverse community of staff.

We are proud of our global reputation and of our creative network of staff, students, and alumni, who influence learning, culture, industry, and society on an international scale. We work closely with government and some of the world's most innovative businesses to create opportunities for graduates across the creative industries and beyond.

We are formed of six Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts.

Alongside our colleges, we are home to four specialist institutes, five research centres, a pre-degree studies school and two wholly owned subsidiaries, UAL Arts Temps and UAL Short Courses, reflecting the breadth of our teaching, research, enterprise, and public engagement. With sites across London, the city is central to who we are, providing a place where creativity, innovation and diverse perspectives come together.

The role of University Secretary is one of the University's most operationally important appointments. Jointly line managed by the Vice-Chancellor and the Chair of the Court of Governors, the role is central to ensuring the highest standards of governance, institutional assurance, and regulatory compliance across the whole of UAL. As Secretary to the Court of Governors, you will provide authoritative advice on governance, constitutional matters, and legislation, while supporting effective decision making and fostering strong relationships between our executive and governing body.

You will also provide strategic leadership for our Governance, Legal and Compliance functions, overseeing the University's governance framework, risk management, and internal audit arrangements. As Senior Information Risk Owner, you will play an important role in advising the Executive Board on information governance, freedom of speech, Prevent and wider statutory responsibilities, helping to ensure the University remains resilient, accountable, and well positioned to deliver its strategic ambitions.

Like much of the higher education sector, UAL is operating within an increasingly complex regulatory and financial environment. As expectations continue to evolve, effective governance, robust assurance and sound institutional decision making have never been more important. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of governance at one of the world's leading creative universities, ensuring that we continue to operate with integrity, transparency and confidence while enabling innovation and positive change at a time of many challenges to the HE sector.

We are seeking an accomplished leader with significant experience of governance within a large, complex organisation. You will bring sound judgement, credibility, and the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups and especially with the Chair of Governors and Vice-Chancellor. Whether your experience has been gained within higher education or another highly regulated environment, you will be motivated by the opportunity to contribute to an ambitious institution with a distinctive global reputation.

At UAL, you will join a community that is ambitious, intellectually curious, and deeply committed to creativity as a catalyst for change.

Thank you for your interest in UAL. We very much look forward to reading your application and to the possibility of welcoming you to our community.

With best wishes,

**Lord Isaac CBE**
**Chair of Court of Governors**
**University of the Arts London**

**Professor Karen Stanton**
**Vice-Chancellor**
**University of the Arts London**

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification
All applications must include:
- A full curriculum vitae/resume
- Quoting the relevant role reference number:
  - University Secretary - A042227
- A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description and the University of the Arts London that particularly attract you to the post (Microsoft Word document)
- Contact details for two referees, these will not be contacted without your permission. (References should validate a minimum period of two years employment)
- A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (which you will be redirected to once you have submitted your application)
Right to work checks
If you are successfully shortlisted, our partner, Yoti, will contact you to complete an online right to work check. This is a quick and secure process, ensuring that all necessary legal requirements are met before proceeding further in the recruitment process.
Monitoring
One of Alumni Global’s and the the University of the Arts London’s objectives is to ensure that its workforce is reflective of the local community and therefore we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. So that we can successfully achieve these aims, while it is not mandatory we would encourage every applicant to complete the “Equal Opportunities Monitoring form” so that we can measure the effectiveness of our efforts. The Recruiting Manager does not have access to the Monitoring Information Sections of the application form at any stage of the process and the information provided will be kept entirely confidential.
For a confidential discussion on this role please contact:
Owen Francis, Director or Michael Earnshaw, Director of Research whose details can be found at the bottom of this microsite.
Candidate adjustment
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the recruitment process please can you advise us so that we can ensure this is accommodated.
Closing date: 28th August 2026
Interview panel: w/c 21st September 2026 - TBC
Please ensure you have made a note of the final interview date(s). We recommend that you bookmark this microsite, as any potential updates regarding the role will be posted online.