Our governance structure
The University is an independent corporation whose legal status derives from a Royal Charter granted in 1905.
The University is an exempt charity regulated by the Office for Students.
Its objectives, powers and governance framework are set out in the Charter (PDF) and its supporting Statutes (PDF).
You can download a diagram showing the structure of the University's central committees (PDF), including committees of the Council and the Senate.
- Overview of our governance structure
The University's Charter requires the existence of the following bodies:
The Council
The University's Council is the governing body of the University, responsible for the strategic development and overall performance of the University's business.
Council membership comprises lay and academic persons appointed under the Statutes of the University, the majority of whom are non-executive. Much of the work of Council is carried out through formally constituted committees.
Terms of Reference (PDF)
The Senate
The Senate is the academic authority, whose role is to direct and regulate the teaching and research work of the University.
Its membership is drawn mainly from the academic staff of the University. Much of the work of Senate is carried out through formally constituted committees.
Terms of Reference (PDF)
The Faculties
The University's five faculties are responsible for teaching, research and examining of subjects within departments and for regulating the admission of students to them.
Faculties also make recommendations to the Senate on the award of degrees, fellowships and prizes as well as on academic staff appointments and promotions.
- The University Officers
As well as requiring the existence of the above bodies, the Charter also requires there to be a number of specific Officers.
You can view the Register of Interests (PDF) for each officer.
The University Officers for the 2024-25 academic year are:
The Right Honourable Dame Anne Rafferty DBE, Chancellor
The Chancellor is formally the lay head of the University and attends on a number of special occasions, including degree ceremonies.
Other lay officers comprise the Pro-Chancellors, one of whom acts as Chair of Council, and the Treasurer.
The Rt Hon Dame Anne Rafferty DBE is the eighth Chancellor of the University of Sheffield.
Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor
The President and Vice-Chancellor, assisted by a Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and eight Vice-Presidents, is the chief academic and executive officer of the University.
He is Chair of Senate, is responsible for the executive management of the University and is accountable to Council for the exercise of these functions.
The President and Vice-Chancellor undertakes his responsibilities for the operational running of the University with the support of senior executive colleagues who meet weekly as the University Executive Board.
Martin Temple CBE, Chair of Council and Pro-Chancellor
Member of the following University Committees:
Council (Chair); Council Finance Committee; Council Nominations Committee (Chair); Council Senior Remuneration Committee (Chair); Honorary Degrees Committee.
Professor Susan Fitzmaurice, Vice-President and Head of Faculty (Arts and Humanities)
Professor Fitzmaurice has been at the University since 2006 and has been in the role of Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities since 2019. Susan holds a Chair of English Language in the School of English and was previously Head of the School.
Professor Conchúr Ó Brádaigh, Vice-President and Head of Faculty (Engineering)
Conchúr is an elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Material, Minerals and Mining and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He is also President of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) Europe. He joined the University as the Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Engineering in 2023 from Edinburgh where he was Head of the School of Engineering.
Professor Tracey Moore, Interim Vice-President and Head of Faculty (Health)
Professor Tracey Moore joined the University in 1995, following a clinical nursing career in adult acute and critical care. Tracey’s interests are in the assessment and management of acute patient deterioration, and her Doctoral study explored why nurses fail to respond to, and effectively rescue deteriorating patients. Tracey has consulted globally on education and training for nurses supporting patients with acute deterioration.
Professor John Derrick, Vice-President and Head of Faculty (Science)
John was Head of the Department of Computer Science between 2009 and 2015. In 2015 he was appointed to the post of Deputy PVC for Research and Innovation. John joined the Faculty of Science in November 2017.
Professor Ruth Blakeley, Vice-President and Head of Faculty (Social Sciences)
Ruth joined the University in 2017 as Professor of Politics and International Relations. Her research focuses on state violence and human rights. She has served as Director of the White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership, Head of Department of Politics and IR, and Social Sciences Faculty Director of Research and Innovation. She was appointed as Vice-President and Head of Faculty of Social Sciences in June 2024.
David Swinn, Interim University Secretary
As Interim University Secretary, David works to ensure the highest standards of governance in liaison with the Chair of Council, President and Vice-Chancellor, University Executive Board members and Professional Services Directors.
Professor Robert Mokaya OBE, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Working closely with the President and Vice-Chancellor, Robert has the responsibility of delivering a number of the University's key aims and priorities in the region, nationally and internationally.
Professor Mary Vincent, Vice-President for Education
Mary's role is to ensure excellence and innovation in teaching and learning for all students including undergraduate, postgraduate, overseas students and those studying for University of Sheffield qualifications overseas.
Professor Sue Hartley OBE, Vice-President for Research and Innovation
Sue leads on the University’s research and innovation activity, including research excellence, University Research Centres, Research Excellence Framework (REF), research income and impact, as well as overseeing the University’s innovation, partnerships, and commercialisation activities.
Member of the following University Committees:
Council; Council Finance Committee (Chair); Council Nominations Committee; Council Senior Remuneration Committee; Investment Group (Chair).
Claire Brownlie, Pro-Chancellor
Member of the following University Committees:
Council; Council Audit and Risk Assurance Committee; Council Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee; Council Nominations Committee; Council Senior Remuneration Committee; Honorary Degrees Committee; Senate Nominations Committee.
Member of the following University Committees:
Council; Council Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (Chair); Council Nominations Committee; Council Senior Remuneration; Committee Honorary Degrees Committee.
- University Secretary's Office
The role of the University Secretary's Office is to oversee the overall effectiveness of the University's governance and compliance structures and to ensure the integrity of the conduct of the University in pursuit of its strategic goals and ambitions.
The Office provides independent advice to the Council, the Senate, the President and Vice-Chancellor and the executive leadership and ensures they gain the advice and assurances required to fulfil their statutory and regulatory responsibilities.
The Office's responsibilities include work in the area of strategy development, policy and legal advice, key performance indicators, risk management, data protection, freedom of information and records management.
The Office co-ordinates responses to sector consultations, works to influence and support higher education policy development nationally and supports initiatives in the University to innovate and change practice in pursuit of the University Strategy.
Jeannette Strachan is University Secretary. As University Secretary, Jeannette works to ensure the highest standards of governance in liaison with the Chair of Council, President and Vice-Chancellor, University Executive Board members and Professional Services Directors.
Overview
Terms of Reference
Council (PDF)
Senate (PDF)
Downloads
Register of Interests (Full version) (PDF)