I’m Sam Budd the Chief Executive at Bristol SU / Student Associations . I have had a varied career working at senior level in both the public and private sectors in the areas of recruitment, training and education and just prior to my role in Bristol I was a senior manager at Gloucestershire County Council responsible for fair access to education which included school admissions, home to school transport and the transfer of HE finance from the Authority to the Student Loan Company.

I’ve been with Bristol SU / Student Associations for 7 years now and I can honestly say that this has been the best job that I have had to date. The reasons are numerous but essentially the opportunity to shape an organisation that makes a positive difference to the lives of over 20,000 students as well as being part of a national movement that changes lives for students and contributes to making the world a better placer is truly inspiring.

That said it’s like any job as a Chief Exec of complex organisation employing over 60 permanent staff and a team of student staff with a multimillion turnover, tough decisions need to be made and keeping the show on the road and ensuring that it is relevant and flexible to the needs of a changing student body can sometimes be very challenging. I don’t suppose that anyone interested in being a Chief Exec would want it any other way. Overcoming challenges and delivering success provides a personal sense of achievement which for me is the best reward.

The great thing is that you are not alone as the Chief Exec of an SU / Student Associations , you are working with and through a board of trustees and a team of annually elected student representatives and that opportunity to keep the organisation fresh and in tune with its membership is probably unique. In my role I get to support and nurture some of the brightest and most talented students who then go on to have incredible careers as a result of the experiences they have had within the SU / Student Associations .
In our recent 2017 staff survey 94% of the permanent and student staff said that they

‘would wholeheartedly recommend Bristol SU / Student Associations as a good place to work’

I think that speaks volumes.

I genuinely believe that the SU / Student Associations sector is one of those hidden gems that more people need to find out about. It’s serious business done in a fun way and when I think about how many hours of my life have been spent at work it’s been great to find a job where I look as forward to coming to work in the morning as I look forward to going home to my family at night. The best career move I’ve ever made and it could be the same for you.