Volunteer Non-Executive Director | University of Portsmouth Students' Union

Portsmouth Students’ Union Trading Company is a successful, vibrant and exciting social enterprise, the Fundraising entity for University of Portsmouth Students’ Union, with a bright future

What difference will you make?

PSUT seeks to enhance the experience of every Portsmouth student, with all profits being donated directly to University of Portsmouth Students’ Union (UPSU) charity. The Non-Executive Director will support the enterprise through its next steps as we seek to broaden our portfolio of businesses and increase the financial contribution to UPSU We are currently seeking opportunities to grow the partnership we have with our bespoke digital platform product for SUs, explore the growth in online sales, expand our commercial client offer across the city and potentially wider for our distance and commuter students as well as maximise the opportunities from our temporary and then permanent building move over the next two years. A strong and active Board is crucial for us as we implement our new strategy and endeavour to grow our business; one that is flexible and agile enough to react quickly to the changing needs and interests of our members and drive an increasing level of profit for the charity.

What are we looking for?

Non-Executive Directors are asked to bring senior-level competencies, as listed within the table of desired knowledge, skills and experience. To support our current strategic direction and bring new skills to the Board we would be particularly interested in hearing from people who have skills, knowledge, passion or experience in the fields of charity commerce, social enterprise, entrepreneurship and/or stand alone skills sets such as finance, people or marketing that could support our small charity trading operation. That said, we would very much like to encourage anyone who feels that they could bring something to our Board to apply, regardless of experience - our purpose and values also lead us to welcome first time Directors too! We are strongly dedicated to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community and we are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment which supports everyone from recruitment through to appointment, regardless of your background. We welcome applications from all those who feel they could bring something to the role and as part of this commitment, we are working to improve the diversity of our Director Board to ensure that it is as relevant and representative of our student community (40% BAME/PGM, 49% Mature) as possible and are actively encouraging applications from underrepresented groups. Particularly applicants from BAME/PGM backgrounds.

What will you be doing?

The Organisation Portsmouth Students’ Union Trading Company Ltd (PSUT) is the social enterprise business arm for the University of Portsmouth Students’ Union (UPSU), and seeks to enhance the experience of every Portsmouth student in collaboration with UPSU, University of Portsmouth (UoP) and Community Partnerships whilst contributing financially to the wider organisation. PSUT formed in 2007 generating just £8,000 operating profit and previous to the C-19 pandemic that number had grown to £130,000. Today, the company has endured the challenges of business stoppage and is once again making a comfortable and sustainable revenue to support the charity. Purpose of Trading Company Fundraise for the Charity and enrich student experience as our priorities Raise student awareness of, and raise engagement with, UPSU Provide opportunities for students to integrate into their Portsmouth Community A mechanism for strengthening partnerships (UoP/Community) Does things that UPSU can’t Must have financial stability Current position and Future Aims The Cost of Living Crisis and changes in student recruitment are some of the latest factors in the dynamic and responsive landscape in which PSUT operates. Uniquely, we are a responsive trading company, adapting our products, events and offers annually in tune with student data and the changing needs of our cohorts. A recent change in a long term commercial relationship, and a move to a new building has opened up new challenges and huge opportunities for growth, so we are seeking skills and experience in our Chair of the Board to steer us through this exciting period.