41061 Unite AR22 HI-RES WEB-READY - Flipbook - Page 93
STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OTHER INFORMATION
Committee key
Nomination Committee Member
Remuneration Committee Member
Sustainability Committee Member
Audit & Risk Committee Member
Health & Safety Committee Member
Committee Chair
Elizabeth McMeikan
Senior Independent Director
Ross Paterson
Non-Executive Director
Years on the Board: 9
Years on the Board: 6
Elizabeth was appointed a Non-Executive
Director in February 2014 and became
the Senior Independent Director of Unite
in January 2018. Elizabeth will retire from
the Board after nine years of service on
28 February 2023.
Ross joined Unite in September 2017
and became the Audit Committee Chair
in January 2018.
Relevant skills, experience
and contribution
Elizabeth has significant experience in
customer-focused businesses previously
working at Tesco and Colgate Palmolive,
where she was successful in driving
growth through an understanding of
customer needs and an innovative
marketing approach. Previously she
was Senior Independent Director of JD
Wetherspoon plc and Chair of Moat
Homes Ltd, a leading housing association
in the South East.
Elizabeth has brought her extensive
consumer-focused experience, both as
an executive and also on the boards of
other FTSE companies, to help oversee
the design and development of our
customer proposition and enhanced
customer service. As Senior Independent
Director of Unite, Elizabeth supports
the Chair in the effective running of the
Board, and as Chair of the Remuneration
Committee, has helped ensure the
Executive Directors’ and broader senior
leadership’s remuneration is aligned
to the long-term sustainable success
of the Group.
Composition of the Board
Relevant skills, experience
and contribution
Ross is a former Chief Financial Officer
of Stagecoach Group and Non-Executive
Director of Virgin Rail Group Holdings
Limited. Ross has experience in
finance, business development and
legal gained from his finance role at
Stagecoach Group.
Ross contributes to Unite’s Board using
his many years’ experience of managing
finance in a complex operational
business like our own. He also brings
valued insight to innovation as we
continue to enhance our service offer
to our student customers. Ross uses
his financial and broader business
experience as Chair of the Audit & Risk
Committee, helping oversee the Group’s
financial rigour and delivery.
Chair
1
Executive Directors
2
Non-Executive Directors
7
Gender diversity
40%
60%
External appointments
•
Institute of Chartered Accountants
of Scotland (Business Policy Panel
member)
Female
4
Male
6
Independence
External appointments
•
Custodian REIT plc (Senior
Independent Director)
•
Dalata Hotel Group Plc (NonExecutive Director)
•
Fresca Group Ltd (Non-Executive
Director)
•
McBride plc (Senior Independent
Director)
•
Nichols plc (Non-Executive Director)
Non-Executive Directors
1
Independent
Non-Executive Directors
7
91
