Following Nicky Passmore leaving the SU in December 2022, The SU has been working behind the scenes to find the right candidate to become our next Chief Executive. We are now pleased to announce that Ryan Bird has been appointed to the role. Ryan will be joining the SU on Monday 24 July 2023.
Ryan is an experienced leader who has spent the majority of his career in the Higher Education sector in the UK: chiefly, working in the Students’ Unions at Reading, Bristol and Oxford. Ryan will bring his recent experience of being Chief Executive of Reading University Students’ Union to Bath.
As Chief Executive, Ryan will join the team of staff, officers, and volunteers with the purpose of empowering students to improve the communities they’re part of for the better.
The SU wanted the recruitment process for the Chief Executive role to be reflective of our community, and we are grateful to the immense contribution of University and SU staff, officers, trustees and students, who were part of the panels that led to Ryan’s appointment.
Alexander Robinson, SU President 2022-2023, and Jimena Alamo, SU President 2023-2024 said:
‘We’re very excited to bring Ryan on board. His experience in the SU sector will be a great addition to the team and help us as we transition into our next strategy post-2023. We know that he will bring new ideas and build upon the great work the SU has done this year.’
Ryan Bird, new Chief Executive of the Students’ Union said:
‘The SU at Bath is a fantastic organisation doing great things for its students. I am excited to join colleagues across the students’ union, the university and the wider community to deliver on Bath’s ambitions for the student experience. The SU at Bath has a strong model of peer-led student engagement, representation and community building, which I am keen to see develop further as we seek to empower the next generation of students.’
Cassie Wilson, Member of UEB and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience) said:
‘The University are delighted with Ryan’s appointment. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, and we look forward to working with him to continue the great working relationship between the Students’ Union and the University’.