President and Chair of the Board of Trustees

Goodenough College is an independent charity and a unique international postgraduate residential community, located in Bloomsbury, London. For more than 90 years, the College has brought together outstanding postgraduate students from across the world, providing a collegiate environment in which scholars live, learn and form lifelong global connections.

The College is seeking to appoint an outstanding individual to lead its Board at a time of both opportunity and challenge. We are looking for a senior, non‑executive leader of high standing who brings sound judgement, integrity and credibility, with the ability to chair and inspire a Board, support executive leadership, and act as an ambassador for the College.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong alignment with Goodenough College’s charitable purpose and ethos as an international collegiate community of scholars. This Trustee role carries a significant profile within the life of the College and offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to higher education, international engagement and community life.

The President and Chair of the Board of Trustees will be appointed for a term of three years, that may be renewable twice, subject to the College’s Articles. This is an unremunerated voluntary Trustee role, although the President, along with Trustees, may claim reasonable expenses.

The Board holds four meetings per year. Schedules for meetings are published well in advance and in consultation with the President and committee chairs. The President will play an active role in the life of the College, and there is a significant expectation that they will participate in various key events throughout the academic year, including dinners and other gatherings that sustain the social, pastoral and intellectual life of the College. The President will also have regular time with the Director, meeting in person and online as required.

Goodenough College is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and warmly welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

How to apply

Full details of the role and the application process are available in the Candidate Brief (downloadable below). The closing date for applications is Friday 15 May 2026.

Goodenough College has engaged the services of Odgers to assist with the appointment process of the President. Successful candidates will be invited for preliminary meetings with Odgers in May. At the conclusion of this stage, the Nominations Committee will meet to agree the short list of candidates and a panel led by the senior independent trustee will conduct final interviews in June 2026.

To apply, please submit a curriculum vitae along with a covering letter briefly setting out your interest in the role of President and your assessment of how you match the required selection criteria.

The preferred method of application is via the Odgers website at: www.odgers.com/95749. If you are unable to apply via the Odgers online portal, please email your application to: 95749@odgers.com.