The Trustee Board of The Students’ Union is responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating the management and administration of Students’ Union business and ensures that financial, strategic and operational activity is in accordance with the charitable legislation. The Trustee Board is accountable for The Students’ Union QMU acts in the interest of the Union. It is made up of sabbatical and part-time officers, students and external trustees.

Below are the current SU trustees:

LINDESAY IRVINE

Lindesay graduated in nursing from QMC (now QMU) and spent several years working in the NHS specialising in care of older people. After completing a Masters degree in Nursing and Education and working in nurse education in Aberdeen, she returned as a lecturer to QMU. She completed a PhD whilst working full time and became Senior Lecturer, taking on a role in running doctoral and masters level education. She retired from the university in 2019 and is currently President of the QMU Association.

As a long-standing member of the QMU family, she has always appreciated the role the Student Union plays in supporting students whether through societies and sports, or help with welfare and academic issues. It is her belief that the SU has a vital and fundamental place in the overall development of the university, offering a strong student voice. She was delighted to become an external trustee last year and plans to bring her knowledge and experience of higher education to the position.

 

RYAN BEASLEY

Ryan is currently CEO at Keele Students' Union and has held volunteer roles as a Trustee at Aberystwyth SU and as a Governor of a local primary school in addition to being a former Sabbatical officer at an SU. His background is in charity governance, internationalisation and organisational development but has a real passion for men's mental health after being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. He appeared on a BBC funded podcast in 2022 talking about inclusive leadership, and supporting mental health and child-loss in the workplace. 

Ryan is proud of his working-class background and status as a "first in family" to go to university, completing his degree in Journalism in 2011.

Ryan became a fellow of the Institute of Leadership in 2024 and continues to support and coach other leaders across the charity sector. 

He is a passionate fan of Liverpool FC, dad jokes, craft beer and cheese. He is a proud father to two young daughters, Bonnie (5) and Nancy (2) and recently published his first children's book "Bod the Hedgehog". 

 

SILVIA CARDINALE

Silvia is the current President – Student Activities at the QMU Student’s Union. During her time as an undergrad at QMU, Silvia studied Public Sociology and took part in the Sports and Societies, running the Volleyball Club as President for two terms. With experience as an international student and a committee member, Silvia is looking forward to represent the students at the best of her abilities, working to give them the best possible university experience.