UCAS

UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions service) is an independent charity, founded in 1993, and our core purpose is to support students in finding the right pathway to further and higher education across the UK. Widening access and deepening participation is central to what we do, along with the role we play in supporting teachers and advisers, universities, and colleges.

Every year, UCAS manages almost three million applications from over 700,000 people. Whilst the majority of these are UK nationals, we also serve as the fair, transparent gateway to undergraduate study in the UK, receiving applications from prospective students in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Our staff and trustees are united in their commitment to helping students discover a route to their future, and giving great value for money to the universities and providers we serve.

UCAS has a Board of 13 trustees, bringing together a range of deep expertise and specialist skills. Our trustees provide strategic guidance and scrutiny and are accountable for ensuring our strategy demonstrably meets our charitable objects and delivers public benefit. The Board is now seeking to appoint its next Chair, who would join UCAS at an exciting and challenging time for the higher education sector, but one rich with opportunities. With 50% of people under the age of 30 in the UK progressing to higher education and using UCAS’ services, few other organisations hold such a unique position. This provides an unrivalled platform on which to grow UCAS’ service offering to further our mission.

The successful candidate will be an outstanding senior strategic leader with a successful track record of achievement through their career at either executive or non-executive level. They will bring an in depth understanding of governance, particularly in the charitable or public sectors with an interest in operating a modern, compliant charity with a successful trading subsidiary. With a proven track record of operating as a non-executive Chair, they will be exceptional communicators and ideally have experience of undertaking and/or overseeing work with politicians, policymakers, and the media. Above all, they will be passionate about education and the role it plays in transforming lives.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to UCAS on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference FBOKA. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0800 (during office hours). Applications should be received by midday on Monday 3^rd June 2024.