University Council
What the University Council does
As the governing body of the University, the Council is responsible for:
- The management and administration of the whole revenue and property of the University
- The conduct of all affairs of the University
- All such other powers and duties as may be conferred upon on it by Statute or Ordinance
- Any other powers and duties granted by Statute or Ordinance
The Statement of Primary Responsibilities sets out what the Council does and provides information about effectiveness and performance review.
You can find a full list of the Council’s duties and powers in the University Charter.
Minutes of Council meetings
We publish minutes of all Council meetings here after they’ve been approved, usually at the next Council meeting.
Lay Members
George Garlick
Chair of Council
George was appointed as Chair of Council on 1 September 2019. He’s a University of Hull graduate with more than 25 years’ experience at the head of public sector organisations.
George worked as a teacher and a solicitor, and spent 24 years in the North East as Chief Executive of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council then Durham County Council. Here, he led the integration of eight local authorities into a single organisation with 20,000 employees and a £1bn annual spend.
Andrew Haigh
Lay Member
Andrew studied French and Russian at the University of Hull and has been a Lay Member of Council since 2023. He’s also a member of the Finance and Investment Committee, and the Remuneration Committee.
He has had an international executive career in the finance sector, as well as spending over 20 years in governance roles within the arts and higher education. He’s also a Governor at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Matt Jukes
Lay Member
Matt was appointed as a Lay Member in September 2019. He’s Chief Executive of Hull City Council and, before that, Port Director for ABP.
He has considerable board level experience on Absolutely Cultured, Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, and the Hull Place Based Board.
Vanessa Lee
Lay Member
Originally from Hull, Vanessa was appointed as a lay member of Council in March 2019, and is Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee. She’s the Managing Director of Danaus Consulting, which delivers focussed strategic advice to high-net-worth individuals, families and Trustees.
Before establishing her consultancy practice, she spent over 25 years in the Big 4 Accountancy firms. Recently, she was a Tax Partner at BDO LLP. Here, she led the Private Client practice across the North of England, advising high-net-worth individuals on their strategic global tax affairs.
She’s a Chartered Tax Advisor, an Affiliate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and a member of the Association of Tax Technicians. Vanessa is also a member of the Development Committee for The Prince’s Trust in Yorkshire and Humber, and sits on the UK Advisory Board of Tax Aid. She remains ardently loyal to Hull City AFC.
Ursula Lidbetter
Lay Member
Ursula studied Operational Research and Management at the University of Hull and has been a Lay Member of Council since 2016.
She spent her career in the Co-operative Movement and was CEO of Lincolnshire Co-op and Chair of The Co-operative Group. Her focus has been economic development, social purpose and governance. She’s a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute.
Dr Catherine Murray
Lay Member
Catherine was appointed as a co-opted member of the Audit and Risk Committee in September 2022. In September 2023, she became a Lay Member of Council. She’s the Director of Strategic Planning at Queen Mary University of London. Her portfolio includes strategy, planning, risk management and data leadership.
Before Queen Mary, Catherine worked at several other universities including starting out at the University of Hull, working in widening participation and then planning. She did her undergraduate degree at LSE. Then undertook part-time Masters and doctoral degrees while a member of staff the University of Hull.
Rashmi Rungta
Lay Member
Rashmi was appointed as a Lay Member in October 2022. She brings over 25 years of international experience across technology, consulting and transformation. As well as a strong track record of leading at the board and executive levels.
She’s served as a Non-Executive Director and Trustee across sectors including healthcare, education and sustainability. Rashmi is also an advisory panel member for Digital Health at Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, and Trustee at Myaware and Association of Chairs.
Rosalyn Schofield
Lay Member
Rosalyn Schofield studied Law at the University of Hull and is a solicitor. She was Director of Company Secretariat at Associated British Foods plc. Here, she had global responsibility for Governance and Sustainability, including the environmental impact of its businesses from 2001 to 2020.
She was a member of the Adaptation branch of the Climate Change Committee until 2021 and continues to chair its Audit and Risk Committee. A former Council Member and Chair of Audit Committee at Regent’s University, she chairs the Audit and Risk Committee.
Denise Wilson
Lay Member
Denise was appointed as a Lay Member in September 2019. She studied Modern Languages here at the University of Hull.
She’s Chief Executive of the Davies Review, which was set up by government to improve gender equality in FTSE 350 companies. Denise has had an executive career in large financial services companies.
Non-Lay Members
Register of Interests
University employees and Lay Members of Council have a responsibility to respect and promote the financial and other interests of the University, with due regard to academic freedom.
There’s a general duty on all members of staff and Lay Members of the University to disclose at the earliest possible stage any financial or other interest they may have in any transaction, or proposed transaction, between the University and a third party.
We maintain and update a Register of Interests annually. You can download the Register, our Code of Practice on the Registration of Interests, and our Code of Conduct for Council Members from our Policies and Information hub.