Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees meet four (4) times a year to discuss and decide on matters relating to the governance, strategy and finances of your Students' Union. The Board also come together to celebration events, away days and other activities to highlight, celebrate and showcase the Students' Union.

Ali (Alastair) Burr (Chair of the Trustee Board)

Ali is an operations and strategic leader with extensive experience in higher education, International NGOs, and mission-driven organisations. He specialises in improving organisational efficiency, supporting teams to scale, and driving impact in areas such as sustainable governance, compliance, change management and stakeholder engagement.

He is currently Global Operations Lead at ClientEarth, and has previously held senior roles including Head of Operations at Rainforest Foundation UK, and Chief Executive Officer at both Harper Adams University and Kingston University Students’ Unions.

James Hunt (Lay Trustee)

James worked in higher education for many years, having previously been Finance Director at Warwick and Leicester Universities. He has also served as a trustee for Warwick, Leicester and Oxford student unions.

Larry Coltman (University Nominated Trustee)

Larry has been a university nominated trustee for Your SU since April 2021. They are a member of the Board of Trustees in addition to being a member of the Governance and Appointments Committee of the SU.

Jerry Robinson (Lay Trustee)

Jerry has been a lay trustee for Your SU since April 2021. They are a member of the Board of Trustees in addition to being the chair of the Commercial Services Board of the SU. A commercial & charity specialist, Jerry has delivered business and organisational success in multiple sectors and at all levels. Jerry has a broad mix of abilities and experience: blending a solid strategic mind with strong people, customer, commercial skills and expertise across the hospitality and charity sectors.

Gemma Carter-Morris (Lay Trustee)

Currently Managing Director within coaching, leadership and team development, Gemma brings extensive experience within the University sector. Gemma was a sabbatical officer at Warwick, followed by 14 years as Head of Delivery and Head of Sports and Active Communities at the University of Warwick with responsibility for the strategic delivery of the vision to increase participation through sustainable and innovative product development. She was a key member of the project team the developed, built and opened a £49 million Sports and Wellness Hub, and initiative that benefited students and the local community.

Amanda Stanford (Lay Trustee)

Amanda Stanford brings two decades of organisational development expertise to her role as an external trustee. As a leadership coach and organisational development consultant, she specialises in helping purpose-driven organisations navigate complex challenges and unlock their potential for sustainable growth. A Coventry University alumna herself, having completed her Masters in HRM in 2017, Amanda is passionate about the essential role of the students' unions in the student experience and community. Her extensive experience guiding entrepreneurs and executives through transformation makes her a valuable strategic voice committed to strong governance that honours the union’s vision and values.

Sneha Lakhani (Student Trustee)

Sneha has been a student trustee since February 2025, representing student views at the Board of Trustee and Finance and Audit Committee. Sneha is currently a Second year Biomedical Science Student. She brings an insatiable curiosity and drive for excellence and is passionate about representing Coventry University Students.

Promise Owai (Officer Trustee)

Mohd Abdullah Sayyed (Officer Trustee)

Prince Otu Ndor-Odok (Officer Trustee)

Layna Forbes (Officer Trustee)

Board of Trustees Documentation

Below you will find minutes and other documentation pertaining to the decisions and activities of the Board of Trustees.

Should you have any questions regarding the Board of Trustees, its activities or documents then email the Governance Team via governance.su@coventry.ac.uk.

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