Investments Committee

Terms of Reference and membership 2023-24

Role:

By way of delegated authority from Finance and Infrastructure Committee, to monitor the University’s endowments investments policy and activities including strategy for, and performance of, endowed funds and investments.

Responsibilities:

1. To provide oversight and advice on matters relating to the University’s investments and to report and advise through to Finance and Infrastructure on these matters.

2. To review and recommend amendments to the University’s treasury management policy to the Finance and Infrastructure Committee.

3. To agree and review investment allocations between asset classes and to set performance benchmarks for the University’s externally managed investments.

4. To monitor and review the performance of the University’s investments against predetermined benchmarks.

5. To regularly review endowment expenditure forecasts and capital commitments and receive assurances as to the availability of sufficient liquidity.

6. To undertake a formal review, at least every three years from the date of appointment, of the investment advisor’s performance against benchmark with regard to continuation or replacement.

7. To meet, as appropriate, with the University’s investment managers.

8. To review direct and indirect investment management charges against performance, in order to assess the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of the management of the University’s investments. 

9. To review annually the DARO End of Year Philanthropic Income Report and their plans for the year ahead.  To engage with DARO in relation to flexibility of philanthropic fundraising.

10. To review other business as the Committee deems appropriate within its Terms of Reference.

11. To consider the equality and inclusivity impact of decisions made by the Committee, and take appropriate action where needed, in accordance with the University’s responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.

12. To provide an annual report to the Finance and Infrastructure Committee on the work of the Committee.

Reports to:

Finance and Infrastructure Committee

Constitution and membership 2022-23

a. The Treasurer (Chair)

b. Chief Financial Officer

c. Deputy Director of Finance 

d. Co-opted members 

Duration of appointment:

Members appointed under a. to c. are ex-officio.

Members appointed under d. shall serve for serve for up to three years, renewable.

Normally in attendance at meetings:

Treasury Accountant

Financial Controller

Investment Advisors (Goldman Sachs)

Secretariat:

Governance Office

Frequency of meetings:

4 meetings per year

Quorum:

3 members  

Constitution and membership 2023-24

• The Treasurer (Chair) Cathy Ellis
• Chief Financial Officer Paul Gowdridge
• Deputy Director of Finance Katherine Inns
• Co-opted members appointed by the Nominations Committee:
  a. Paul Rivlin, from 1.8.2023-31.7.2024
  b. David Moore, from 1.8.2023-31.7.2024
  c. Tarun Sakhrani, from 1.8.2023-31.7.2024
  d. Folaseto Akin-Olugbade, from 1.8.2023-31.7.2024

Normally in attendance at meetings:

Treasury Accountant Terry Andrews

Financial Controller Nicola Holt

Investment Advisors Goldman Sachs

Secretariat:

Governance Office Joe Suffield