UofG Shadow Board
Introduced in 2020, the UofG Shadow Board is believed to be among the first of its kind in a UK university. Since its inception the Shadow board has influenced discussions around topics such as the Universities response to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the changing nature of learning, teaching and the student experience and looks ahead to developing in areas such as research and civic engagement.
What is the Shadow Board?
Shadow Boards provide different insights and enable new perspectives to be applied to the problems faced by senior leadership teams. The University of Glasgow Shadow Board works with the Senior Management Group and provides input on major strategic issues facing the University. It is among the first of its kind in the UK higher education sector and has been in place since 2020.
Who is on the Shadow Board?
The Shadow Board consists of a group of 12-14 people from a cross-section of the university, who make an active contribution by using their skills and experience to act as a Critical Friend for the University’s Senior Management Group. Shadow Board members normally serve a 2-year term with an option to extend to a 3rd term if agreed with the board, with a time commitment on average of half a day per month.
The Shadow Board is supported by the Executive Director of People and Organisational Development Christine Barr as the SMG Sponsor and Director of Organisational Development, James Hamilton as advisor for the Shadow Board.
- Simon Ambrose
- Blair Archibald
- Chris Buckland
- Peter Chung
- Corinne Critchlow-Watton
- Alison Devlin
- Kezia Falconer
- David Fletcher
- Enza De Francisci
- Linsay Gilchrist
- Paul Harvey
- Julia Hartley
- Sarah Hubbard
- Catherine Hughes
- Claire Lowe
- Helen Martin
- Andrew Mason
- Laura McCaughey
- Jessica McGrellis
- Helen McLaughlin
- Hessam Mehr
- Corri Thomson-Gold
- Olga Utkina-MacAskill
- Iain Wallace
- Callum Williamson
- Mark Wong
What is the role of the Shadow Board?
The purpose of the Shadow Board is to make a meaningful contribution to SMG decision-making and influence change in the University through ideas, actions, and diverse voices. It aims to deliver against the following objectives.
- To establish a sustainable, lean operating framework for the Shadow Board
- To identify opportunities to promote equality and inclusion to inform and inspire change in the University
- To input and provide feedback to SMG in a timely way.
- To identify or contribute to initiatives that SB members feel are important to staff and/or the University
The Shadow Board's role is to offer input and constructive challenge on strategic matters, primarily to SMG, but also to other strategic initiatives - this has included input into the Learning & Teaching Strategy, UofG’s response to COVID 19 and the Enabling New Ways of Working Group. While not a decision-making body, the Shadow Board engages in regular dialogue with SMG members and its input has been found to be very valuable in offering a different ‘lens’ through which to view some of our most complex challenges as an organisation.
What is the Shadow Board working on now?
The Shadow board has agreed a series of priority areas with SMG and a roadmap to ensure that we capture our impact. The roadmap provides a foundation for the Shadow Board to provide strategic input to meaningful areas. Four high level themes were established for 2024/2025:
- Student Experience
- Sustainability
- Civic Engagement
- Communications and Engagement
Shadow Board members have therefore joined key University working groups aligned to our priority areas, such as the Student Experience Committee; Sustainability Working Group; PGR Scholarship and Funding Project; Career Progression for Professional Services Project Board; and Colleague Engagement Working Group. In 2025 the Shadow Board is engaging with the development of the Universities Strategy.
How does the Shadow Board recruit members?
The Shadow Board conducts formal recruitment on a biannual basis to ensure a structured, equitable, and transparent selection process. This cadence allows for thorough evaluation of applicants and alignment with organisational priorities. However, to maintain continuity and stability within its membership, the Board reserves the right to invite previous applicants to join outside of these formal cycles. This approach ensures that the Board remains fully staffed and operational, even in the event of unexpected vacancies or evolving strategic needs.
Between recruitment periods, individuals who are interested in contributing to the Shadow Board are encouraged to express their interest directly to the Chair. While opportunities may be limited, proactive engagement is welcomed and considered in light of the Board’s objectives. This flexibility recognises that current and prospective members' circumstances, perspectives, and availability can shift significantly over two years. Maintaining an open channel for interest helps ensure the Board reflects fresh insights and a broad range of viewpoints from across the University of Glasgow community.