AUDE will be appointing a new Chair Elect to take over from Ian Grimes, Director of Estates, University of Hertfordshire, when he becomes Chair at the next annual conference in April 2026. We are inviting members to take part in the selection process for this role, explains Anita Edson (AUDE Secretary and Director of Estates at Cardiff University).

Who can apply

Nominees should be the lead/main director of estates (or equivalent) from a subscribing institution of the association. They do not have to be currently serving on the Executive Committee. For further information about the role, please contact jane@aude.ac.uk.

How to apply

Nominations (written or emailed) must be received by the AUDE’s Executive Director jane@aude.ac.uk no later than 12 noon on Friday 23 January 2026, nominations need to be supported by three proposers, all of whom need to be AUDE members and Directors of Estates or equivalent. In the event of more than one nomination being received, an election will take place and a vote taken via electronic means ahead of the Annual General Meeting which takes place on the 21^st April 2026.

About the role

The AUDE Senior Executive Officer group comprises the Chair, Chair Elect, Past Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. There is an automatic succession from Chair Elect to Chair and then Past Chair. A role descriptor can be seen within our volunteers handbook.

In applying for this role, interested candidates will want to take into account the terms of office for this role.

Chair Elect –       2 year term

AUDE Chair –     2 year term

Past Chair –        0 year term, it is expected that the past chair will support the current chair as they transition into the role, there is no formal requirement to attend Officers or Executive meetings, but they would be welcomed to do so if they choose for a period of up to 2 years.

The individual appointed as Chair Elect in April 2026 will therefore become Chair of the Association at the AGM in 2028.

At the 2026 AGM Syd Cottle, AUDE's current chair, will stand down where Ian Grimes will succeed him, leaving the vacancy for the Chair Elect. A list of current members of the AUDE Executive committee is available.

Should an election be necessary, we will require a short video statement that will be used for institutions to consider and vote via online means four weeks prior to the AGM.  The successful candidate will be announced at the AGM.

We know this is a decision you will not make lightly and nor should you. To find out more and understand what this means for you and your time please contact any member of the Officers Group.

Please also ensure you have the support of your line manager.

Chair – Syd Cottle sjcottle@liverpool.ac.uk

Chair Elect – Ian Grimes i.grimes@herts.ac.uk

Past Chair – Umesh Desai umesh.desai@ntu.ac.uk

Treasurer – Jerry Woods  j.woods@brookes.ac.uk

Secretary – Anita Edson EdsonA@cardiff.ac.uk