You will find information about the board of TU Dublin SU CLG here. Click on the links to jump to that section or scroll down.
What Is a CLG?
The Companies Act 2014 (the “Act”) came into effect on 1 June 2015 and introduced significant reforms in Company Law in Ireland. The Act consolidates previous legislation on companies limited by guarantee not having a share capital (the “CLG”) although the previous law remains substantially the same.
Key Features
- A CLG is a Company Limited by Guarantee and which does not have a share capital.
- An existing guarantee company with no share capital is deemed to be a CLG on commencement of the Act.
- Much of the law relating to a private company limited by shares will apply to a CLG subject to some important additional provisions.
- A CLG can avail of an audit exemption but any one member may object to the same.
- A CLG may have as few as a single member and no maximum number of members but the constitution of the CLG must specify the number of member(s) with which it is to be registered.
- The CLG has a single-document constitution, incorporating a Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.
- The Memorandum of Association must set out the objects of the CLG and the CLG will have the capacity to do any act or thing stated in the objects.
- A CLG requires at least two directors.
- The AGM oversees the annual Finance & Risk Audit and is made up of a majority of student members.
What Other Stuff Do I Need to Know About TU Dublin SU CLG?
TU Dublin Students’ Union operations are run by a company limited by guarantee. This means it is bound by the Companies Act 2014.
As well as the political Constitution of the Organisation voted for by the Students of TU Dublin, there is the legal Company Constitution that outlines the role and function of the board in full.
The registered Company Number is 109412 and the published accounts are available on the Companies Registration office website.
TU Dublin SU CLG 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 including:
- Financial Management
- Human Resourcing
- Corporate Governance
- Risk Management
- General Operations and Logistics
All of these functions are provided in order to support the work of the elected officer team of the Students Union.
There are 13 Directors of the company of which the majority are always students. Directors are:
- The President of the TU Dublin SU
- The TU Dublin SU Deputy President (City Campus)
- The TU Dublin SU Deputy President (Blanchardstown Campus);
- The TU Dublin SU Deputy President (Tallaght Campus);
- Four students appointed by the TU Dublin SU Student Council (representing all campuses)
- Five non-executive directors (External directors)
One of the five External Directors is appointed the Independent Chairperson of the board for a period of three years.
- 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
- Administrative support to the Board and its relevant sub-committees is provided by the Operations Executive
Correspondence to the Board of TU Dublin SU CLG can be addressed to the Chair and submitted to caroline.fabry@tudublinsu.ie.
The Board of TU Dublin SU CLG has three sub-committees which support the operation of the Board through their focus on specific areas of governance. Details of these committees are outlined below:
Sub-committees
Finance Audit and Risk Committee
The Finance Audit and Risk subcommittee’s, (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 three Deputy Presidents 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 Executive is the administrator of this committee
Correspondence for this committee can be submitted to caroline.fabry@tudublinsu.ie.
Human Resources and Remuneration Committee
The primary responsibility of the HR and Remuneration subcommittee is to provide support and advice to the CEO 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 three Deputy Presidents of TU Dublin SU
- One other external Director
- Two student directors elected by Student Council
- The General Manager is normally in attendance at this meeting.
- The Operations Executive provides administration for this committee
Correspondence for this committee can be submitted to caroline.fabry@tudublinsu.ie.
Nominations Committee
The primary responsibility of the Nominations Committee 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
Why Do We Need A Board?
Because of our status as a CLG, we are required to have a Board of Directors, with at least two Directors. We follow best practice, and have incorporated an Independent Chair, External (and expert) Directors, our team of Full-time Elected Officials and Student Directors to our Board.
What Gives Them Their Remit?
Article 5.6 of our Constitution states: “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.”
How Does the Board Work With Student Council
- Work Plan - 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.
- Service Plan (to follow)
- Strategy Statement (to follow)
Who Is The Board?
How the Members of the Board are Chosen
- Our Independent Chair and External Directors are chosen by interview process.
- Some full-time Elected Officers (President and Deputy Presidents) are defacto Directors of the Board (that is, it comes with the job).
- Student Director positions are advertised and any TU Dublin student can apply for the role by filling out a nomination form. Candidates are then voted on by Student Council.
The purpose of the board in any organisation has three main functions namely - Governance, Management and Operations. The accounts of TU Dublin CLG are audited annually and once approved and adopted at the AGM of TU Dublin SU CLG they are lodged with the Companies Registration Office.
3 Sabbatical Officers (full time elected officers)
- President - Brian Jordan
- Deputy President Blanchardstown - Louise Kavanagh
- Deputy President Tallaght - James Curry
4 TU Dublin SU Directors (elected by Student Council)
- Samantha Balan
- Jamie O'Neill
- Mel Sexton
- Samantha Corcoran
External Directors
In attendance