“Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity, and ensuring it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up.” – Charity Commission
In short, the Board of Trustees accept ultimate liability for the affairs and the operations of Arts University Bournemouth Students' Union and, as such, must ensure that their level of influence and control is appropriate and sufficient to ensure that this duty is discharged. The Board is made up of 4 different types of Trustee:
- Sabbatical Trustee – the 2 full-time elected officers.
- Student Trustee – up to 4 elected or selected part-time student trustees.
- External Trustee – up to 4 trustees who have been selected by the Union to sit on the Board due to their skills, experience and knowledge.
- University Trustee – a trustee recommended to the Union by the University to sit on the Board.
Gabrielle is our Union President 24-25, having just graduated from BA (Hons) Illustration.
Jia is studying for a BA(Hons) in Visual Communications and is currently in her 2nd year as an international students. She is passionate about design and creating meaningful visual experiences. Jia wanted to be a part of the Student Union to gain hands-on leadership experience and ensure that decisions made for our university and student body are inclusive, thoughtful and smoothly executed.
Lucas in his 2nd year and going into the third studying VFX for Film and Television. He chose to apply for the role of student trustee to gain further insight into the workings of AUBSU, while supporting the development of a student-focused union.
Billy studies Creative Writing and is going into his second year. He wants to help ensure that AUBSU is representing the interest of students to the best of its ability and is held accountable to do so.
Katy studies Fashion and is going into her third year in October 2025. Katy has become a trustee in order to make sure her peers and her secure the best education and university experience possible here at AUB, and to ensure no voice goes unheard!
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I'm an experienced HR, Recruitment and Resourcing professional, with over 20 years experience gained across private sector and Higher Education organisations. Currently I'm the Director of HR Operations for King's College London and I was previously the Head of Strategic Resourcing for The Open University. When I moved to Bournemouth in 2021, I was keen to find a way to support a local organisation, as my main work was elsewhere. The opportunity to support the governance of AUSBU gives me that opportunity and fits well with my broader understanding of the HE sector. I'm continually impressed with AUSBU's students and their work, and none more so in the efforts of the Student's Union so it's an honour to undertake this role.
A Chartered CIPD professional with over a decade of experience, Helen Holden is an experienced HR leader with a track record across multiple sectors, including construction, ecommerce, events, and the creative industries. With experience in working at Board level and supporting dynamic, fast-growing organisations, she has led and developed HR functions from the ground up, consistently delivering strategic value through improved employee engagement, talent acquisition, and leadership development.
Now working as an independent HR consultant, she specialises in helping start-ups and SMEs establish solid foundations for their HR departments,implementing practical, scalable processes that support growth while fostering strong, inclusive workplace cultures.
Her role as a Trustee for the Students’ Union at Arts University Bournemouth is a natural extension of her commitment to people-focused governance. Supporting the creative leaders of tomorrow, she brings valuable insight into organisational structure, employee wellbeing, and leadership development. Her experience is particularly relevant to ensuring that the Union’s strategic goals are underpinned by sound people practices and a culture of empowerment, inclusion, and accountability.
I have had a varied career which includes time in Hospitality, Events Management, Recruitment and Human Resources. I have gained skills, knowledge, leadership experience, empathy and I hope a little wisdom along the way !!!!!. I have learned a lot from life, and by not being afraid to take a chance and make mistakes. I am still enthusiastic, curious and ambitious. I see being a Trustee for AUBSU as an opportunity to add real value to an incredible organisation, bring strategic and objective critical friendship, and give something back to my local community.