8.3 Governance

This category covers information relating to the way the institution is governed and how decisions are made. It includes information on the legal status of the institution, which individual member of staff or group within the organisation is responsible for specific functions and where they fit in the overall structure of the organisation.

The information contained in this page includes:

  • Our legal framework: how our University was established and our legal standing
  • Our Governance structure: Governance structures and operational procedures
  • Governance precepts: Arrangements for compliance with good governance precepts
  • Conflict of Interest: Our conflict of interest policy
  • Our Register of Interest
  • Our University structure: A description of our major organisational units and how these relate to each other
  • Major committees: The activities of major committees in our University with devolved decision making powers
  • Our relationship with the Graduates Association of the University and the General Convocation (including the "Watt Club"
  • Subsidiary companies
  • Honorary degrees

Legal Framework -  How the University was established and our legal standing

For information on how our University was established and its standing from a legal perspective, please see the information below

Legal framework: University Charter and Statutes

Our charter, regulations and ordinances are as follows:

Information on the Ordinances & Regulations Committee is also available

Information on the University's status as granted by Royal Charter is available from Heritage at heritage@hw.ac.uk

Governance structure - Governance structures and operational procedures

This category contains information on our governance structures and related operational procedures :

Court

The Court is the governing body of the University which, subject to the Charter, exercises all the powers of the University. In exercise of its powers, the Court comprises the Charity Trustees of the University.  Details regarding our Court include its remit, composition, membership, dates of meetings, agenda, minutes, policies and key information.

Information regarding the University Court Committees can also be viewed.

Senate

The Senate is responsible for the direction, regulation, and promotion of learning and teaching, research, knowledge exchange, and scholarship. Details regarding our Senate include its remit, composition, membership, dates of meetings, agenda, minutes, policies and key information.

Information regarding our Senate Committees can also be viewed.

Key management personnel

Key management personnel at Heriot-Watt University include those who have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the University.  Those are: The Principal and Vice-Chancellor, the Vice-Principal & Deputy Vice-Chancellor and the Secretary of the University.

Broad description of the University's management/administrative structure

The University Executive is responsible for University operational management decision-making and is responsible and accountable for relaying decision-making and other relevant information to the Court in accordance with the governing body's responsibilities, powers, and authority.

Read further information regarding our University's Committee structures.

Arrangements for compliance with good governance precepts

Information regarding our arrangements for compliance with governance precepts can be found in our Handbook for Governors

Note: the Nominating and Review Committee of Court is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the performance of Court in compliance with good practice benchmarks (see section 3.7 of the Guide to Information.

Financial Regulations of the University

You can download our Financial Regulations.

Arrangements for Internal Audit

Information about the University's Internal Auditor. PricewaterhouseCoopers provide Internal Audit services and KPMG provide External Audit services; details can be be found in our Annual Report and Financial Statements. Additional information is available by writing to foi@hw.ac.uk

Conflict of interest policies

Information in this Category currently includes information on the circumstances in which members of the governing body are expected to declare potential conflicts of interest

Our Conflict of Interest Policy can be viewed.  Additional guidance regarding conflicts of interest can be viewed Handbook for Governors.

Register of Interests

Information in this Category currently includes information regarding the Register of interests of members of the governing body and senior management

The Register of Interests can be viewed on the individual profiles of the members of the Court  and University Executive.

You can download the University's Conflict of Interest Policy, which also provides for a register of interests and prescribes procedures for this.

University structure: description of our major organisation units and how these relate to each other

Read about our our Schools.

Read about our Professional Services.

Relationship with the Graduates Association of the University and the general convocation

Information regarding the Gradautes Association can be found on our Ordinances page.

A description of the key statutory bodies of the University

This includes General Convocation (Statute XI). The University does not have a General Convocation.

Watt Club

Information in this Category currently includes: the operation of the activities of the Watt Club.

Subsidiary Companies

Names, addresses, broad functions and purposes of companies in which the University is a major shareholder. Information in this Category currently includes Information on wholly owned companies of the University:

Honorary Degrees

Policies and procedures for and awards of honorary degrees. This includes information regarding our Honorary Degrees, including lists of our Honorary Graduates.  Additional guidance can be found in our Ordinances.