TU Dublin SU CLG
TU Dublin Students’ Union (SU) operations are run by a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), which is owned by the Students of TU Dublin by virtue of their membership of the Union.
The company does not involve itself with the Politics of the elected representatives of the Students' Union and instead is tasked with the operational functions of the Union (such as Financial Management and Human Resources). All of these functions are provided in order to support the work of the elected officer team of the Students' Union.
TU Dublin Students’ Union has interesting positions for students in TU Dublin SU CLG (the company behind TU Dublin Students’ Union). This is how a past Student Director of TU Dublin SU CLG, Jamie O'Neill, describes their experience on the Board:
"It's been a fascinating journey representing council on the board of directors for two terms, it's a whole other side to the running of the union that I've found really rewarding to get involved in. I've increased my understanding of governance, an area there are very few opportunities to get experience of so early in your professional journey. I'm glad to have contributed to the strategic direction of the organisation particularly with the voice of a current student which is so important to have in the room."
What is a CLG?
The Students’ Union is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) which employs both elected officers and staff members. TU Dublin SU CLG is bound by the Companies Act 2014.
- TU Dublin SU CLG is owned by the Students of TU Dublin by virtue of their membership of the Union.
- The CLG does not involve itself with the Politics of the elected representatives of the Students’ Union and instead is tasked with operational functions in order to support the work of the elected officer team.
- The CLG comprises members and directors, as per company law. Both members and directors are made up of a majority of students.
- The members meet at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to oversee the annual Finance and Risk Audit.
- The registered Company Number is 109412 (at the CRO) and the published accounts are available on the Companies Registration office website.
- The directors meet at Board meetings to manage the following operational functions of the Union:
- Financial Management
- Human Resourcing
- Corporate Governance
- Risk Management
- General Operations and Logistics
- The CLG is committed to good governance and follows the relevant rules set out in the Charity Governance Code.
- A CLG does not have a share capital.
- The CLG has a single-document Constitution, incorporating a Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association. This is mentioned later as the CLG Constitution or Company Constitution. It sets out the objects of the CLG and the CLG has the capacity to act on anything stated in the objects. Thus, the Company Constitution exists next to the political Constitution voted for by the students of TU Dublin.
Who are the faces of the CLG?
The President of TU Dublin SU
Brian Jordan
Ex-officio by being an elected representative.
The TU Dublin SU VP for Academic Affairs
Shauna O'Toole
Ex-officio by being an elected representative.
The TU Dublin SU VP for Communications & Media
Louise Kavanagh
Ex-officio by being an elected representative.
The TU Dublin SU VP for Welfare & Equality
Nekesa Khisa
Ex-officio by being an elected representative.
The TU Dublin SU VP for Events & Engagement
Ian Kelly
Ex-officio by being an elected representative.
4 students appointed by the TU Dublin SU Student Council(representing all campuses)
Samantha Corcoran
Annabel Biddulph
Mary Akinlolu
Robert Brennan Bell
Any TU Dublin student can apply by filling out a nomination form. Candidates are then voted on by Student Council.
5 non-executive directors(selected externally for a period of 3 years), one of whom is appointed the Independent Chairperson of the Board.
Deiric O’Broin (Chairperson)
Frank Crummey
Maria Hegarty
Ciaran Crosbie
Vacant
Appointed by interview process monitored by the Nominations Committee.
Read Biographies of External Directors here.
All Directors sign a Code of Conduct when appointed Director of the Board.
The TU Dublin SU VP for Blanchardstown Campus
Jeremy Lawler
Ex-officio by being an elected representative
The TU Dublin SU VP for Tallaght Campus
Sheran Bahadir
Ex-officio by being an elected representative
The TU Dublin SU VP for City Campus
Peter McCann
Ex-officio by being an elected representative
The TU Dublin SU Postgraduate Officer
Avice Meya
Ex-officio by being an elected representative
6 students appointed by the TU Dublin SU Student Council(representing all campuses)
Dominique Baldwin
James Reneghan
Aoife O'Brien
Amber Thomas
Any TU Dublin student can apply by filling out a nomination form. Candidates are then voted on by Student Council.
The Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Company
Deiric O’Broin
Appointed by interview process monitored by the Nominations Committee
- The General Manager of TU Dublin SU reports to the Board of TU Dublin SU CLG.
- The Company Secretary of TU Dublin SU CLG is provided by KOMSEC, an external company.
- Administrative support to the Board and its relevant sub-committees is provided by the Operations & Finance Lead.
Both the General Manager and the Operations & Finance Lead are in attendance of Board meetings.
Correspondence to the Board of TU Dublin SU CLG can be addressed to the Chair and submitted to caroline.fabry@tudublinsu.ie.
What are the subcommittees of the Board?
The Board of TU Dublin SU CLG has three subcommittees which support the operation of the Board through their focus on specific areas of governance. Details of these committees are outlined below:
The Finance, Audit and Risk subcommittee, (FARC), primary responsibility is to assist and support the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities in ensuring proper accounting processes, financial reporting, proper internal controls, and governance procedures in the company are adhered to. The subcommittee also recommends policies in the areas of Finance and Risk to the Board for approval.
- The Committee is chaired by Frank Crummey (external Director)
The other members of the committee include:
- The President of TU Dublin SU
- The four Overall VPs of TU Dublin SU
- Two student directors elected by Student Council
- The General Manager and the Finance Executive are normally in attendance at this meeting
- The Operations & Finance Lead is the administrator of this committee
Correspondence for this committee can be submitted to caroline.fabry@tudublinsu.ie.
The primary responsibility of the HR and Remuneration subcommittee is to provide support and advice to the General Manager and the Board in the management of human resources and industrial relations in the company. It is also responsible for determining the remuneration policy for staff and management. Health and Safety of the organisation is overseen by this subcommittee. The subcommittee also recommends policies in the areas of HR and Remuneration to the board for approval.
- The Committee is chaired by the Chairperson of the Board
The other members of the committee include:
- The President of TU Dublin SU
- The four Overall VPs of TU Dublin SU
- Two other external Directors
- Two student directors elected by Student Council
- The General Manager is normally in attendance at this meeting.
- The Operations & Finance Lead provides administration for this committee
Correspondence for this committee can be submitted to caroline.fabry@tudublinsu.ie.
The primary responsibility of the Nominations Subcommittee is to regularly review the structure of the Board, identify and nominate suitable candidates for the role of external director and put in place processes for succession planning. The following is the membership of the Committee:
- Chair of TU Dublin SU CLG
- Three directors, one of whom should be the President of TU Dublin SU and one of whom should be a director appointed by Student Council.
How does the Board work with Student Council?
The article 5.6 of the Constitution of the Students' Union gives the Board its remit: “The sole and exclusive power to bind the Union to a lawful contract is hereby vested in the Board of TU Dublin SU CLG; no other authority, body or person so elected or established under this Constitution has the power to bind the Union to a lawful contract. TU Dublin SU CLG shall regulate its own affairs subject to the laws of Ireland, and shall endeavour to be cognisant of the policies of the Student Council.”
An annual workplan (which is reviewed mid-year) is agreed on by Student Council and the Board. It defines the priorities of the SU for both staff and officers.
DocumentWorkplan for the year 2023-2024- Service Plan (to follow)
- Strategy Statement (to follow)
In 2024, the Board approved the Irish Diversity Charter.
DocumentIrish Diversity Charter
Student Members of TU Dublin SU CLG
The members of the CLG (not to be confused with the members of the SU) are elected by Student Council and attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company. An AGM is a meeting of members of a company at which the members can ask questions and get information about the company, and where the audited accounts are presented for adoption. In the event of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), they will also be required to attend.
The members are the three Campus Vice Presidents of TU Dublin SU, the Postgraduate Officer of TU Dublin SU, the Independent Chair of TU Dublin SU CLG and six students. At least one student must be a student studying in Blanchardstown, at least one student must be a student studying in Tallaght and at least two students must be studying in City Campus. The remaining 2 positions can be appointed from any campus. Student Members must be registered students of TU Dublin for the duration of their term (1st July– 30th June).
The members of TU Dublin SU CLG get to attend the Annual General Meeting and see how a company is run. They also get a chance to see insights to financial aspects of the SU. This role doesn’t take too much of your time because generally, the members of TU Dublin SU CLG attend one meeting a year (usually in March). Having said that, the role still looks very good on your CV and you get valuable experience for the future. You are also part of a very important role as a student making sure that the company is being run correctly. You don't need any experience from before (we will help you with everything) so this is a great way to learn too!
Any registered student can nominate themself for the positions. Five students have been nominated as Student Members of TU Dublin SU CLG for 2023-2024 and have attended the Company's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 26th March 2024. They approved the audited financial statements for year-end 30th June 2023, ensuring that students keep full oversight of the SU's spendings.
Nominations for next academic year will open in September or October 2024, stay tuned!
Student Directors of TU Dublin SU CLG
Because of our status as a CLG, we are required to have a Board that consist of directors. A company director is someone appointed to manage and run the company on the behalf of the members. Directors have duties under both company law and the company’s constitution, and they meet around 8-10 times in an academic year. At the meetings, the Board of directors discuss and make decisions on the current issues about the operational side of the Students’ Union, and they also have committees who discuss the aspects of Finance, Audit and Risk; HR and Remuneration and Nominations of directors selected externally to the student body.
The directors of TU Dublin SU CLG are the five overall full-time elected officers, five external directors and four students appointed by Student Council. Student Directors are appointed by campus as follows: one from Blanchardstown, one from Tallaght and 2 from City Campus. Student Directors must be registered students of TU Dublin for the duration of their term (1st July– 30th June). All Student Directors for Academic year 2023-2024 have been elected.
The Directors of TU Dublin SU CLG get a unique chance to see how a company is run. They get to work with a team that has expertise on managing a company, and make important decisions on the operational side of the Union (e.g. recruitment and finances). Student Directors also receive a meeting fee – so these are paid positions. Student Director positions are a brilliant opportunity especially for students who are interested in how a company decision-making process works! Further, you do not have to have any prior experience about this as we (and the external members) will guide you throughout the year.
The elections for the Academic Year 2024-2025 have been opened after the last Student Council Meeting of the year 2023-2024, on 16th April 2024. All four positions have been filled, ensuring that a majority of students composes the Board of directors.