Celebrating National Trustees’ Week: The People Shaping Aston Students’ Union 🎉
At Aston Students' Union, our trustees play a vital role in ensuring the organisation remains student-focused, well-governed and committed to creating a positive experience for every Aston student.
Bringing together a range of backgrounds, skills and experiences, our trustee board helps guide the Union's direction, oversee key decisions and ensure that students' interests remain at the heart of everything we do.
What Do Our Trustees Do?
Trustees are responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and governance of Aston Students' Union. Working together, they help ensure the organisation is financially sustainable, operates effectively and continues to deliver for its members.
Their responsibilities include:
- Strategic Direction: Helping shape the Union's long-term goals and priorities
- Governance & Accountability: Ensuring the organisation is well-managed, transparent and accountable
- Student Representation: Keeping students' interests and experiences at the heart of decision-making
- Supporting Development: Providing guidance, knowledge and expertise to help the Union grow and improve
A Board Bringing Different Perspectives Together 🤝
Our trustee board brings together student representatives and individuals with a wealth of professional and personal experience. This combination allows the Union to benefit from different perspectives, fresh ideas and valuable expertise.
By working collaboratively, trustees help challenge ideas, explore opportunities and make informed decisions that support the needs of our student community.
Arun Shoker, Project Worker at Barnardo's, is passionate about giving young people a platform:
“I am a strong advocate for young people and giving them a voice and opportunities. Therefore, I became a trustee to ensure that the SU is doing just that. The best bit about it is being able to see the different initiatives the University and the SU do and the impact they will have. I have learnt a lot about how a trustee board works, as this is my first time as a trustee.”
Making A Difference Beyond 🩵
The work of our trustees has a lasting impact on the wider Aston community. Through their guidance and commitment, they help ensure Aston Students' Union can continue to provide opportunities, support student-led activities and create an inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Their contribution also helps strengthen the relationship between the Union, its members and the wider University.
For Dhanusha Reddy, a PhD researcher, joining the trustee board was an opportunity to connect her academic expertise with her passion for education and governance.
“I became a Student Trustee to ensure students' voices shape meaningful change and to strengthen the Aston Students' Union's governance. The role helps me enhance the student experience while building leadership skills for my future. As a PhD student, I currently research property law and crypto assets, and I hope to one day expand my research into corporate governance to create positive change in the education sector.”
Celebrating Our Trustees 🎉
As we celebrate National Trustees' Week, we want to recognise and thank all our trustees for their time, dedication and commitment to Aston Students' Union. Whether bringing professional expertise or representing the student voice, each trustee plays an important role in shaping the organisation and supporting its future.
Thank you to our trustees for helping make Aston Students' Union stronger for every student! Meet the full trustee board here.