The University of Birmingham Guild of Students has announced the appointment of a new Chair of its Board of Trustees.
Press release
October 2026
Birmingham Guild of Students welcomes new Chair
The University of Birmingham Guild of Students has announced the appointment of a new Chair of its Board of Trustees. This follows the end of Ruth Pipkin’s term in office as Chair. Ruth has successfully chaired the Guild Board since September 2023 and supported the Guild to achieve significant improvements across NSS results and election voter turnout, as well as the successful launch of Wetherspoons @ Joes earlier this year.
Clive Bawden will take up the role of Chair of the students’ union, which represents nearly 40,000 students, making it one of the largest in the country. He was appointed following a competitive interview process. Clive is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and an experienced non-executive director. He is the founder of Governance360, a scale-up software business.
A double graduate of the University of Birmingham (BA and MBA), Clive has previously volunteered as a trustee of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Birmingham Museums Trust, helped to establish the governance of the national governing body for skateboarding in the UK ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and led on women and girls’ cricket at Warwickshire Cricket Board. He has also worked in professional services in Birmingham for over 20 years, including as the first Entrepreneur in Residence at Birmingham Science Park (now Innovation Campus Birmingham).
Speaking following the appointment, Guild President Olly Ashton thanked Ruth for her significant commitment to the Guild, ongoing guidance and support. Olly said: "Ruth's leadership has helped us improve our NSS results and election turnout, and she has played a key part in developing our partnership with JD Wetherspoon.
“We want Ruth to know how much we appreciate the time and energy she has given the Guild since becoming Chair, and we are so pleased that she will continue to support the Guild as an External Trustee.
“Clive joins us at a key point in our development, and the Officer team and trustees look forward to working with him as we build on the positive progress made during Ruth’s time.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Further information regarding Clive Bawden can be found here: Clive Bawden | LinkedIn
Further information regarding Ruth Pipkin can be found here: Ruth Pipkin | LinkedIn and at https://www.rewiredpr.com/team