The Council is the University’s governing body with the legal and financial responsibility to ensure the University operates effectively and sustainably in the long-term.
The structure of the Council is in line with guidance on good university governance produced by the Committee of University Chairs (CUC) and with other higher education institutions in the UK.
Like other universities, King’s College London is a charity and our Council members which include staff, students and appointed independent members, serve as its Trustees.
They have a legal fiduciary duty to act in the long-term interests of the university, not as representatives of any part of the University, or of any individual, interest, faction or group.
They must ensure that the University’s affairs are conducted in an effective, prudent and financially viable and sustainable manner.
We review our governance every five years. Our latest regular review of governance of King’s was undertaken in the academic year 2023-24 with engagement from our students and staff.
Read the King’s College London governance effectiveness review (PDF 487kb).
Membership
King’s is extremely proud of the diversity and calibre of our staff, students, and independent Council members, who are working to ensure that King’s continues to be a great place to study and work.
They give up their time voluntarily and are unpaid to serve on Council and its standing committees.
Our Council, like almost all UK universities, has a majority of appointed independent members, including some King’s alumni.
Independent council members are chosen for their knowledge and expertise, and to ensure the University is run as effectively and efficiently as possible, as our staff and students would expect.
Alongside appointed independent members our Council includes elected staff and student representation.
Today, the Council consists of 12 independent members, each offering specific expertise across a range of key areas, as well as accountability on decision making and the spending of public funds.
In addition to independent members, the Council membership includes the Vice-Chancellor & President, the President of King's College London Student Union (KCLSU) and six staff.
Find out more about our Council members.
Committees
The Council’s work is supported by a number of committees and sub-committees.
There are robust governance procedures in place to ensure transparent and independent decision-making processes across the entire governance structure.
This includes clear separation between Council meetings and our investment management decisions, which are made by a separate committee and taken on independent professional advice.
Find out more about our committees.