About the Alumni Network Group

The Alumni Network Group (ANG) was formed in 2008 and is chaired by Dr Richard Ward (Chemistry 1979, PhD 1983, Hon LLD 2009), Chief Executive, Lloyds of London. The main purpose of the group is to advise and take a lead role in helping the University build lifelong relationships with alumni, to promote alumni engagement with the University and fellow alumni, and to give alumni the opportunity to share their views with the University. The Alumni Network Group provides an informal ‘sounding board’ for the Vice Chancellor and senior management and is consulted on strategic issues on an ad-hoc basis as individual members or as a collective Group.

Main aims

  • Advise and take a lead role to help the University build lifelong relationships with alumni
  • Take an advisory role in developing, piloting and helping to implement policies, strategies and activities which involve alumni and strengthen their relationship with the University, focused on specific remits. For example, Group members have guided policies for alumni volunteering and the Career Mentor Scheme
  • Link alumni activity to the University’s strategic aims
  • Act as sounding boards for proposed University initiatives; for example, University fundraising, employability and marketing campaigns
  • Provide strategic and practical advice, especially in their fields of expertise
  • Act as ambassadors for the University
  • Help the University connect with alumni in their personal networks or in their professions, encouraging fellow alumni to get involved with the University as volunteers or by providing other support.

Targets

The ANG will be target-driven in its activities, setting measurable targets against which it can evaluate its performance, and which are linked to the University’s strategic aims. Objectives are reviewed and assessed at regular meetings.

Membership

Members usually serve a three-year term which can be renewed if mutually desired. Alumni can put themselves forward for consideration for membership of the ANG or alternatively can suggest other alumni for consideration. At least one member of the ANG should also be drawn from alumni who serve on the University’s Council. Group members may work with small groups of other alumni to support their specific remit (such as the committee for Exetra – the recent alumni group). The ANG meets three times a year, usually in London but with one meeting per year at one of the University’s campuses.

If you are interested in joining the group or would like to nominate a fellow alumnus/a for membership, please contact the group via their general email address: Alumninetworkgroup@exeter.ac.uk