Seven new members have been appointed to the University Campus Suffolk board in preparation for its move towards a new governance structure and gaining its own degree awarding powers, as part of the institution’s independence project announced in March 2013.

UCS degrees are currently jointly validated by the University of Essex and the University of East Anglia, and in order for UCS to be granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP) it needs to demonstrate that, as an independent Higher Education Institution, it can be governed and managed effectively.

The UCS board has been broadened and expanded with the recruitment of new independent members.

Richard Lister UCS Provost said: “Broadening the Board’s membership will demonstrate that we can, and are, operating independently from UEA and University of Essex, and is a significant step towards overall independence.”

A search and selection process was undertaken and six new independent members have been selected to join the board, along with student representation for the first time.

Richard Lister added: “With its new membership the board has a balance of representation from various stakeholder groups of local, national and international communities as well as a balance of skills and experience required to enable the governing body to meet its primary responsibilities and to ensure stakeholder confidence. We are absolutely delighted by the calibre of those we have recruited and believe we have an outstanding governing body to take us forward.”

The seven additions to the UCS Board include six new independent members: Erika Clegg - co-founder and creative head of Spring design agency, Paul Clement - chief Executive of Ipswich Central, Fiona Hotston Moore - tax and business advisory partner and head of business development at Chartered Accountants Reeves, Mark Pendlington - group director of Anglian Water, Professor William Pope - CEO and commercial co-founder of Microbial Solutions and Paul Winter - chief executive of Ipswich Building Society.

Also joining the board will be Students Union president, Ben Adofo.