Board of Trustees

As a charitable organisation, MDXSU has a Trustee Board which oversees our work and ensures that the Students' Union is well run, meeting its aims and working within the legal and constitutional framework laid down. Trustees are not involved in the day to day affairs, but take an overview of how the Union is performing, both financially and as a representative body for Middlesex students.

Trustees are responsible for making sure that Union decisions are made in the best interest of the Union and its members. They also set the long-term plans and direction of the Union, making sure the Union uses its financial resources properly and that it is financially viable. They ensure the Union works within the law and constitution.

The Board of Trustees is made up of the following:

Student Officer Trustees

The Student Officer Trustees are the 3 annually elected student officers who act as MDXSU’s primary representatives. Student Officers are paid employees who take a year out of their studies or carry out the role after completion of their final year, to undertake the role. The Student Officer Trustees for the 2024-25 academic year are:

  Aivin Saji,

  MDXSU President & Deputy Chair of the Trustee Board

Mihita Parekh,

Education Officer

Mohit Vyasam,

Activities Officer

Student Trustees

There are two student trustees who are elected by cross-campus ballot in the main Union elections. The Student Trustees are students currently studying at Middlesex who undertake the vole on a voluntary basis whilst completing their studies and can serve for up to two years. The Student Trustees for the 2024-25 academic year are:

Anisha Baphana

Smeet Sahil Panjwani

External Trustees

External Trustees (lay trustees) are appointed by a simple majority vote of the Appointments Committee based on their professional knowledge, skills and experience they can bring to the Board. They undertake the role on a voluntary basis and often take on additional responsibilities within the sub-committees of the Board. External Trustees serve four-year terms and can serve up to two terms which may either be consecutive or non-consecutive.  The External Trustees for the 2024-25 academic year are:

Ben Morrison (Chair of the Trustee Board)

Ben Morrison is a Charity and Fundraising Consultant, and has been a Trustee of MDXSU since November 2017, and became Chair of the Board in July 2023. He has worked in the charity sector since 1999 and established Ben Morrison Consulting in 2015 to use his in-depth knowledge, hands-on experience, and track record of achievement to help charities raise more funds and teach their professional and voluntary fundraisers to be more confident and successful. Since that time, Ben has successfully guided clients to increase their income by more than £30m for revenue and capital projects both in the UK and abroad. Ben Morrison BA (Hons) Dip MCinstF is a Director of the Association of Fundraising Consultants, a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and was a judge for the 2020 National Fundraising Awards. Ben was President of Nottingham Trent University Students’ Union from 1995-1997

Jules Singh

Jules Singh is currently the Community Living Officer at the University of Birmingham, supporting students who live in private sector accommodation with issues with their landlords and letting agents. Prior to this, he was the Education Officer at the University of Birmingham’s Guild of Students from 2020-22. Jules studied Politics at Birmingham, representing students as a part-time officer for Commuter Students at the same time, and is currently studying a part-time distance-learning MSc in Social Policy and Social Research at UCL. He’s extremely passionate about EDI and Community Organising, believing we should collectively build students as future leaders.

Annabel Mabin

Annabel is currently the CEO at the Union of Kingston Students. Having worked in Student Unions’ for over 8 years, Annabel and has a breadth of knowledge of the SU Sector and the Higher Education landscape and brings this experience to the MDXSU trustee board. Annabel also gained a master’s degree in human resources management from Kingston University. Annabel is passionate about the role of Student Union’s in the life of students at University and believes all students should get the most out of their university experience. She was also elected Vice President Student Activities and part of the first all-female elected officer team at Hertfordshire Student Union. She is looking forward to bringing this knowledge and passion to add value to the board to continue to support MDXSU.

Richard Budden

Richard Budden is an experienced fundraising manager and Head of Individual Giving & Legacies at World Jewish Relief, where he leads impactful fundraising strategies and donor engagement initiatives, particularly around individual giving and legacy giving. With extensive experience across nonprofit sectors, including roles at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and RSPB, he has proven expertise in income generation, change management, and volunteer development.

Jaki Booth

Jaki Booth has over 40 years of experience in leadership roles within Students' Unions and the arts sector. She has a proven record in strategic leadership, financial management, and implementing organisational alignment to achieve core objectives in volunteer-led and nonprofit environments. Now retired, Jaki dedicates time to her interests in Flamenco dance and Melodeon playing and serves as a trustee for Stan’s Cafe and Student Minds.