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.

 

COLEEN KELLY

Coleen graduated from Queen Margaret University over a decade ago, where she studied Psychology. Coleen is currently the Director of Services for Support in Mind Scotland, a national mental health charity, and was previously the Director of Crisis Skylight Edinburgh, a charity supporting people experiencing homelessness.

Coleen has spent most of her career in the voluntary sector and has always been a staunch advocate of social justice. Coleen was a Panel Member for Children’s Hearing’s Scotland for eight years up until recently, and has previously volunteered within the NHS, Childline and local charities. Coleen is hopeful her own experience of being a student at QMU and her passion for promoting positive wellbeing will aid her in her role of Trustee of the QMU Student’s Union.

 

 

RICHARD BENT

A two-time graduate of Stirling University, Richard also spent a year as sabbatical Vice president of Stirling University Students' Union. Richard has worked in a range of roles at Radio Tay, BP and Standard Life before being asked to join a new retail start up as buyer and fixer. The Business grew fast, and Richard describes it as 'exciting times' until the then Government of the day (they all blend into one, looking back) managed to create an economic recession in the early 90s causing sales to decline and most costs to rise. Richard is currently a Senior Lecturer at QMU in management. Externally, he has spent ten years on the University of Stirling Court, a former Trustee of The Teapot Trust (Art Therapy) and of the former Edinburgh Retail Academy as well as advising and consulting for many businesses as part of his QMU work with family and smaller businesses. His favorite claims to fame are the invention of the Haggis Samosa and being informed that he was the second-best professional Salmon panelist in the country.

Richard believes that Student Unions are vital to the health of the University experience in so many ways, as a representative powerful voice, a vital independent support mechanism and of course' a place for clubs societies and events.

 

JAY BROWN

During his time at QMU, Jay graduated from the Drama programme and is now the Students' Union President - Academic Life. Having served as his cohort's class rep for four years running and working as the union's part-time Equality and Diversity officer, Jay feels confident feeding back to academic staff and making the student voice heard, with a desire to put the needs of students back at the centre of life on campus!

 

LOUISE FORD

Louise previously studied Speech and Language Therapy at Queen Margaret University and is now President - Student Activities at the Students’ Union. During her time at university, Louise was an active member of the Sapphires Cheerleading Squad and Speech and Language Therapy Society. Having recently been a student herself, Louise has a good understanding of student life and is keen to represent her peers to ensure that all students have a positive experience whilst studying.

 

KARL RAFFERTY

Karl is a 4th year Undergraduate Masters of Diagnostic Radiography (MDRad) student. He has previously sat on the trustee board for the academic year of 2022/2023, and is delighted to take up the position of Student Trustee again for his final year at QMU for 2023/2024. He's more than happy to answer any questions students may have regarding his position, or direct students to the many services the Students' Union offers.

 

SARAH QURESHI

Sarah is a 2nd year Business Management student. She's pleased to be a trustee again this academic year, having had the opportunity to do it before. She's happy to represent the diverse student community. If you have any concerns or questions feel free to reach out to her, she would be delighted to signpost you to the right resources.

 

NICCOLÒ ROSSI

Primed to secure his second degree from Queen Margaret University (QMU), following initial completion in PR & Marketing, Niccolò is now pursuing International Management and Leadership. For three-quarters of his academic journey, he held the position of president for QMU's Basketball team - an amalgamation of his dual passions that enriched his university life. The invaluable experience earned him an invitation to join the trustee board - an offer he gladly accepted.

He is currently contributing his skills as a Marketing Associate at Off To Work, a position he envisages continuing in for the foreseeable future.