Council

The Council is the governing body of Imperial, with its structures and roles defined by the University’s Statutes. It is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, finance, governance and compliance, and for the efficient management and good conduct of all aspects of the affairs of the University. Council appoints the President and the Provost of the University to carry out the academic, corporate, financial, estate and human resource management of Imperial. 

The Senate plays a key role in providing assurance of academic quality to Council.

More information about the can be found in the Governance of Imperial Document.

Role and responsibilities of Council 

Members of Imperial’s Council provide strategic direction, oversight, and accountability, thereby ensuring Imperial fulfils its mission, maintains financial stability, and complies with regulatory requirements. Council members uphold the institution’s values and act in its best interest, balancing academic and institutional ambition with financial sustainability. 

There are 27 members of the Council, the majority of whom are independent members, including the Chair. Also included in the membership are some members of the UMB, Student and Staff representatives.  Appointments to the Council are made through the Nominations Committee, in accordance with the CUC Higher Education Code of Governance. Regardless of their membership category, all members share collective responsibility and accountability for the University. 

Members play the role of a “critical friend” to the Management, balancing support with scrutiny and providing honest, constructive feedback. This requires a balance between challenging ideas and asking all relevant questions to strengthen decisions and promote accountability; as well as supporting the Management in achieving the University’s goals. 

Key to success is the transparent and early information flow from the Management to the Council, especially on key topics; and for the Council to acquire a degree of familiarity and insight into the topics in order to be able to add value.  

Council Committees

Council is supported by the committees set out below. All have approved terms of reference and specified membership, including a significant proportion of independent members to provide expert support. They are chaired by independent members of the Council and report regularly to Council on their work. 

Decisions and Delegations

Decision-making within Imperial is guided by the governing documents: the Charter, Statutes and the Ordinances, supported by the Regulations. Through this framework the Council reserves major decisions to itself, and delegates matters which benefit from additional oversight, accountability and assurance to committees, and operational management to the President, Provost and their leadership teams. A summary of these delegations, which are reviewed from time to time, is provided below.  

Council has reserved the following decisions to itself:  

• the making, amendment or revocation of the Ordinances;  

• approval of the University’s Strategic Plan, Risk Appetite Statement, Principal Risk Register, Annual Budget, and audited Financial Statements;  

• approval of capital projects, asset transactions, and borrowing facilities exceeding £30M, as well as the University’s Investment Policy. 

• the appointment of the President, the Provost and the University Secretary, as well as the designation of additional University Officers; 

• the appointment of the Chair of Council and of Council committees;  

• the appointment of the Deputy Chair and Senior Independent Member of the Council as considered appropriate.  

• the defining of the academic structure of the University, upon the recommendation of the President, after consultation with the Senate. 

Delegations from Council to the President and other University Officers

Implementation of the strategy, overseen and approved by Council, is delegated to the President, as Imperial’s chief executive who leads the UMB.  The President delegates the running of the University’s day-to-day academic affairs to the Provost with input from the UMB and Senate. The Chief Operating Officer has delegated authority and responsibility from the President for the oversight and management of Imperial’s finances. The President, Provost and Chief Operating Officer each provide a report to each Council meeting, including details of the decisions and deliberations that have taken place at the UMB and Senate.