Trustee Board

Einita has 11+ years experience in the student accommodation and higher education world. Prior to joining the University of Birmingham, she held multiple senior roles within Unite Students, UK’s largest student accommodation provider. Prior to this she held some exciting roles in wholesale and retail fashion. Einita is currently the Director of Transformation at the University of Birmingham, overseeing the overall Food, Beverage and Retail division which is undergoing a huge transformation. Within the last two years she has led on the UoB’s first DBFO (Design, Build, Finance and Operate) scheme which brought to market 1,230 new build and refurbished beds with investment of £150m, receiving Outstanding OFSTED accreditation, and been a key part of the University’s covid recovery plans.

In addition to her role at the University of Birmingham, Einita serves on the Board of Trustees for BCUSU. As one of three Trustees, she is currently shaping the Students’ Union accommodation strategy focussing on enriching the student experience. Having been a BCU (UCE) alumni Einita is keen to give back to this wonderful University. Einita is married to Rev and together they have an incredible daughter called Elissa.

I studied for BA Hons in Government at BCU between 1992-1995 and then enjoyed a sabbatical year working as Deputy President of the Student Union in the days when the institution was called UCE and based in Perry Barr.

I have spent the past 25+ years working across the retail and healthcare sectors in a variety of leadership roles for ASDA, Boots, Sainsburys, McKesson UK and the Midcounties Cooperative, with the last 10 years at Board level. My passion has always been helping others develop as leaders and be the best they can be at whatever they choose to do. So, I have recently set up my own business, Stronger Humans Coaching and Consulting, which delivers executive coaching, leadership development programmes and works with organisations to help deliver change.

As well as being a Trustee of BCUSU I sit on the Board of a charity called the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM Roadsmart) which is a leading road safety charity that works to create safer and more efficient drivers. I am also a volunteer Bloodbiker in the Midlands in my spare time.

I am married to Karen and have two sons. Max who is 19 and has just headed off to university, and Felix who is currently studying for his A Levels. In my spare time I enjoy touring the UK and Europe on my motorbike, keeping fit & going to concerts.

The reason I chose to get involved in BCUSU is that in my time spent studying there I had some great formative experiences being part of the SU community through sport, running the welfare & advice centre and being a social member of societies. I believe the Students’ Union is a critical part of the student experience and plays an important role in ensuring the views and needs of students are represented and delivered.

Bringing my experiences gained & with a passion for the city I hope to help BCUSU build on the great work done to date and develop into a great place to work, volunteer or just get involved.

Stephen graduated from BCU (when it was UCE) and is a former Student Union President. Since graduating, he has had a highly successful career that saw him develop into a broader leadership role through a Human Resources career path. In 2006 Stephen moved to the Middle East, where he has worked across the region. He has been with RCSI since 2013 and has played a fundamental role in growing RCSI Bahrain into the premier Healthcare Education University in the region. Before this, he worked for the international consultancy firm KPMG in a regional position.

In addition to his professional qualifications (CIPD), Stephen has taken his academic qualifications further, graduating from Said Business School, The University of Oxford, with a Post Graduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership. He is currently studying towards a Doctorate in Management, where his area of research is the development of indigenous populations in overseas operations of multinational organisations.

Stephen is married to Lucy, who he met at BCU in 1999, and they have three children Maddie (20), Ben (19) and Elliott (13). He is passionate about Rugby League, having been a player and coach until he moved abroad. Stephen founded the RL team at BCU when he was there and continued his involvement with the game, being awarded the 2002 Stephen National Rugby League Conference Coach of the year.

My name is Jinal, I am international student from India. I started my journey with Birmingham City University International College in 2018 where I did my Foundation year. Since then, I have gained many skills, knowledge, and experience that I have forgotten to keep count of. I’ve been a Student Ambassador, Academic Leader, Buddy for International Welcome week, I was founder of BCUIC Society and Secretary of Italian Society.

In 2020, I got elected as BCUSU’s Vice President Equity & Inclusion and got elected as Vice President Opportunities & Community in 2021. I had two different experiences as I was elected during COVID times, it was challenging to keep the engagement and support our students as much as possible. We gave our best to fulfil our manifestos and work alongside different stakeholders to deliver the best experience to students during a difficult time. My second year was hybrid, where we delivered our Big Welcome with a blast. Honestly, becoming an Officer was life changing as it boosted up my confident, skills and knowledge and now it is helping me a lot when I am back as a student.

I have been part of the #IAMBCU campaign, where my story was published and we had photoshoot which was used for Open Days and advertised around Birmingham and internationally too. I had privilege to do photoshoot with British Council to encourage students from all over the world to study in UK.

Lastly, I had a wonderful opportunity to be intern for India Global Forum where there were Global leaders discussing international business, Growth & Partnership and my role was to provide student point of view. During this internship I had privilege to meet Prince Charles, Boris Johnson (who was Prime Minster in 2021), Priti Patel and Narendra Modi (Prime Minister of India).

Now, I am in my Third Year of studying BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science. Biomedical Sciences is a multidisciplinary field focused on understanding human health and disease. It combines biology, chemistry, and genetics, emphasising lab work and research. At the moment, I am studying pharmacology which is all about how different drugs reacts to body and Clinical Biochemistry.

Apart from studies, I like to keep myself engaged and active, so I decided to stay where I feel confident and part of family which is BCUSU. Currently, I have many roles at BCUSU, which are Student Receptionist, also worked as Supervisor for the Big Welcome, Student Voice Assistance, School Rep and Student Trustee. Also, during my free time I love cooking new dishes and honestly, I cook really amazing food [because that’s what my family and friends says ;)]

I am passionate about student experience which is why I want to give my best to have a wonderful experience as well as make other students’ experience best.

I’m Mohamed and I'm currently going into my 3rd and final year at BCU. I started back in 2022 when COVID finally started settling down and have been involved within the university quite a lot, from being a course leader, welcoming students as a Student Buddy, being a delegate for a National Union of Student (NUS) Conference, to now representing students at board meetings.

I have past experiences within a Norwegian Students’ Union, Bergen City Council, and working on a regional and national level representing students. Currently, I’m president of the International Society, as I would like to welcome every student that are from across the globe to BCU. Being an International student can be tough, as well as just being a home student. My job for this year is to ensure that the student voice is heard not just outside BCUSU, but also within.

For students, by students”. That’s something I would like to represent within our Students’ Union. That voices are heard, and feedback does go all the way to the top. No idea too small and none too big to be heard.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing/watching Dungeons and Dragons and volunteering, which helps me unwind and stay focused. I’m very passionate about student politics, which has driven me to do this role.

I am a recent graduate of Computing from BCU, currently pursuing an advanced degree in Computer Science. My journey at BCU has been immensely rewarding, and I’m excited to continue contributing to the university community in my new role as a Student Trustee.

Throughout my time at BCU, I have served as a School Rep for the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment (CEBE). This role allowed me to advocate for my peers, address their concerns, and work closely with faculty members to improve the student experience. The skills and insights I gained as a Rep have been invaluable, equipping me with a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of our student body.

I have also been an active member of Enactus BCU, an society dedicated to creating projects that provide students with job opportunities while making a positive impact on the environment. Projects like "Water is Life" and "Saver Sizes" have been particularly meaningful, as they reflect my commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

Outside of my studies, I am passionate about sports, reading manga, and watching anime. These hobbies not only help me unwind but also inspire creativity and offer fresh perspectives, which I find beneficial in both my personal and academic life.

As a Student Trustee, I am eager to bring my experience and passion to the BCUSU. My vision is to foster a sense of togetherness within our student community and to help make BCUSU the best it can be. I was honoured to have been part of the I AM BCU Awards Ceremony 2024, which celebrated the achievements of our vibrant community.

I look forward to working with my fellow Trustees and the entire BCUSU team to create positive change and ensure that every student feels supported and empowered.

As an international student, my experience at BCU has been transformative, offering both challenges and opportunities for growth. I actively engage with the university community as a Course Rep, ensuring student voices are heard, and as a Student Trustee, where I contribute to decision-making processes that impact the entire student body.#

In addition, I am an active member of the Creative Exchange Society, where I explore my passions for creativity. This society has allowed me to connect with like-minded individuals and participate in events that celebrate our diverse cultural backgrounds.

Beyond my academic and extracurricular commitments, I have been involved in projects such as the I AM BCU campaign, where I showcased my journey and experiences as a student. I was nominated for the 'Student Representative of the Year' category. My role as a Student Ambassador also allows me to share my insights with prospective students, helping them navigate their own university journey.

As a BCUSU Trustee, I would love to see more initiatives focused on mental health and well-being, as well as increased support for international students adjusting to life in the UK.

In my spare time, I am passionate about fashion, dance, and travel. I also enjoy creating content that highlights my daily life as a fashion student.