Student Union President 26/27 Candidate Manifestos

It's time to find out the candidates for your Student Union President 26/27!

Want to be informed, hear about the Student Union President candidates manifestos or just have some questions for them? Come along to the Meet The Candidates event in the Students' Union on 12th March, 11:30pm - 2pm and make an informed choice this election.

All enrolled Arts University Plymouth students get the chance to vote, cast yours via the Google Form sent over email. Voting begins on 16th March and ends on 26th March.

Who will you elect as your next Student Union President? Read their manifestos below.

Ant Hill

Hi all, I am excited to be in the running for the role of Student Union President this year.  For those of you who don’t know me I am Ant, currently in the final year of my Fine Art degree. 

I started my journey with a year on Extended BA which enabled me to witness and connect with the breadth of talent across all disciplines within the University.  I am a mature student and decided to be an artist after an extensive career in the Royal Marines – to me at least this seemed like a natural choice!  During my career I served in a number of educational organisations, both in the UK and abroad which gave me insight to the challenges faced by students, especially international students.  Additionally, I am a parent and have had a home in Plymouth for the last 30 years; as such I am very familiar with the communities, industry and culture within the South West. 

If elected by you, as President of the Student Union amongst my other duties I would focus on the following:

1.     Building on the fantastic work achieved by Jasper in encouraging participation I would continue promoting the use of SU; the clubs, events as well as optimising use of the SU physical space and increasing functionality.

2.     Actively, and critically, engage with the university Senior Leadership team to influence and steer decision making; providing assessments of impact in order to maintain facilities and champion value-for-money for students.

3.     Source and leverage networks, both existing and emerging, to provide more opportunities for students to show, sell and test work along with chances to make connections with external audiences, communities and organisations.

4.     Design an initiate a university-wide advice and mentoring framework for students, utilising the existing expertise of current students and potentially, alumni.

5.     Reassess the role of the SU ensuring it’s fit for purpose based on student feedback and best practice at other universities, so that it remains a pivotal function in university life.

To assist me with this I plan to harness my experience from my previous career and the experience during my time as a student.  I have also supported the university and my peers in the following ways:

·    I am a Student Ambassador.

·    As a qualified coach and mentor, I am involved with a pilot student mentoring scheme (Buddy System) in Fine Art.

·    I am currently providing accommodation in my home to a student under the homes for Ukraine scheme.

·    I have consistently positively supported my peers throughout my time in and out of university.

I feel it’s important to influence future learning at every stage of life and more so, ensure there are fair opportunities for all.  If I were to be elected, I would consider it a privilege to represent the entire student body and to support them in having the rich and fulfilling experience as I have enjoyed. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this manifesto, your consideration and hopefully your vote.

Ant Hill MBE

Jackson Winters

Hi, My name is Jackson Winters, and I am a 3^rd year BA Fashion Design student. I am applying for the role of your student union president as I am very passionate about ensuring that everyone at AUP feels welcome, supported and safe for the duration of their studies, as well as feeling confident to be able to continue their education or find work in their field after graduating.

Here are a few of the many ways I hope to make a positive impact on our university:

• Student voice:

  • While studying at AUP, I have made a conscious effort to make positive changes to the lives of other students, including those who often feel forgotten and left out in our community and the world today. One of the ways I have done this is by advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, which I am proudly a part of, to have sanitary bins in the men's bathroom, as there were products but nowhere to dispose of them. After weeks of back and forth emails, suggested compromises and meetings, there are now sanitary bins in every men's bathroom throughout the entire university. If I was elected as the Student Union President, I would use my position to make sure everyone was heard, no matter how small the issue may seem, as I know how daunting it can be to try and make necessary changes for the benefit of yourself and your community.

• Student community groups and societies:

  • I believe, from personal experience, that student groups are hugely beneficial to mental health and personal growth. If I was student union president I would support current and new groups to thrive. I want to do this so that every student feels that they have a group of people with the same hobbies, faiths or beliefs that they can connect with. I would also like to encourage craft fairs and similar activities with students' art.

• Support from careers:

  • I also want to improve the support available that helps students find career opportunities, both during and after their time at AUP. During the 3 years that I have spent here I have established connections with a few people in the community that I believe could be beneficial to people struggling to find their own career path, for example through family I have a connection to the box which could be beneficial for the students at AUP , similarly through my job/volunteering at green space which is a small quirky charity that sells local artists/makers work to raise money for vulnerable adults in the community, through this I have made personal connections with the creators themselves. If I had the role of student union president I believe these connections would not only be beneficial to have but may be able to reach out further than just the university itself helping people discover where they want to go with their own careers. I also want to support students finding careers in other ways such as having a better connection with the careers advisor team from their first year.

Finally, I would like to add that I am also passionate about sustainability, mental health and financial support, access to the AUP foodbank and inclusively sized mannequins in fashion related courses.

Jasper Hutchings

Hey everyone! My name is Jasper (He/Him), I graduated from BA Illustration in 2025, before being elected by you as your Student Union President 2025/26. I have had the best time here at Arts University Plymouth both as a student and member of staff, and I’m eager to continue to support you personally, socially, and academically for 2026/27.

During my time as Student Union President 2025/26, I have:

• Listened to your feedback and engaged with difficult conversations: I have made sure to carry any feedback received from you to the correct pathways regardless of the subject, sometimes leading to crucial discussions. I have made sure to resolve any issue fully where possible, even if that means pursuing the conversation until the root of the problem is resolved. This has led to wins, both big and small, including reintroducing student sales in Tavistock Place Reception, in addition to supporting individual students with issues centred around everything from accommodation to grades.

• Collaborated on events: You, the student body, spoke and we have sought as a Union to deliver. This year we have hosted a large variety of events for you all, including collaborative markets and fairs, community events, pop-ups from local businesses and charities suggested by you, and our first-ever SHAG (Sexual Health and Guidance) Week.

• Platformed your work: On top of re-instating the Reception sales, I have worked to ensure that your work has a presence within the institution. We have hosted art markets, both themed and general, collaborating with the Events Society to ensure a Christmas Market was held. I am also engaging in the Student Pod Working Group to ensure that any new student promotional spaces fit your wants and needs. 

• Learned the processes: During my time so far as Student Union President, I have made sure to learn as much as I can about the internal processes of the Union and the institution. I now believe I have a deep understanding of how I can best do my job. 

Of course, there are still many, many areas that I would love the chance to keep building upon if I am re-elected. Moving forwards I would like to: 

• Explore the Clubs and Societies structure: We receive lots of feedback from you as a student body in regards to Student-Led Clubs and Societies. I have recently begun to research into the ways that other Students’ Unions for small and specialist Universities operate with the hope of improving our current structure to allow groups to be more active and collaborative. 

• Spread the word: I believe that the Union’s visibility within the University has steadily been improving, with a significant increase in the number of operating Clubs and Societies and Executive Committee members. I want to ensure this continues, moving our Union towards a more solid, robust presence within the institution in the near and distant future. 

• Working on our future: As Deputy Chair of the Advisory Board, I have been working alongside Student Union Manager, Harriet Moore, on a strategic development project that many of you have taken part in. This is to ensure that the Students’ Union has the right foundations for future development. AUP is a University now, and our SU should represent that. My experience has given me a solid understanding of the sector and the requirements of the Union as an organisation, and I would use this to keep traction on the development work.

Before my time as Student Union President, I dedicated myself and my time to Students’ Union affairs in many different ways. As a student, I was: 

• Student Representative

• Student Ambassador

• Co-Leader of the LGBTQ+ Society

• LGBTQ+ Representative for Higher Education.

and I still have more to give. I would love the opportunity to spend as much time as possible building foundations, bridges and forming connections for this organisation. 

Thank you for considering to re-elect me as your Student Union President.

Liam Alexander

Hi there! My name is Liam (He/Him), and I’m currently a 3rd-year Game Arts & Animation student. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Arts University Plymouth and would love to stay for an extra year to help build a strong community. This university offers several environments for each student to learn and grow in ways that suit them best. I would love to continue building on these strong foundations as Student Union President, making the student union a hub for connecting across different courses and helping students earn money to support themselves.

What does that entail?

1. Firstly, I would like to maintain and build on the work our current president, Jasper, has put in to help students express their LGBTQ+ identity in a safe space, as well as to invite charities such as “Queer Out Loud CIC” in. I’d also like to implement the work of a previous president, Beth, to help promote a healthy lifestyle through anti-burnout.

2. If possible, I would like to run gallery spaces for students to get their art out there, even if they are not currently selling or planning to sell, to help promote the social media of said artists and prepare students for their careers outside of and after university through networking. 

3.  I would like to bring back more regular events, such as study groups and markets with different themes, so a wide range of students can come and sell their art to support their portfolios and daily expenses. I'd like to open up the SU more as warmer weather approaches and implement an outdoor arts & crafts group open to everyone to help them connect with their community.

4. I’d like to advertise events across the city and neighbouring areas that are affordable and fun for students, and to make the student union bar a more active, safe space for students to socialise, hosting events such as quizzes, open mic nights, and drink & draw.

5. I would also like to advertise market tables and wholesale opportunities at local establishments outside the university to help students sell their work.

6. I would like to increase engagement with the Students’ Union. It's important that students know what the Union has to offer, such as our food bank, period and sexual health products, and a space for events where students can hang out or network. 

7. I'd like to help elevate the voices and experiences of students from diverse backgrounds, including POC (People of Colour) and students with visible & invisible disabilities.

8.  Last but not least, I’d love to hear your suggestions! The Students' Union is your space, and helping make it more community based is my main goal. I would like to encourage students further to engage with one another and with the student president. I have firsthand experience of how important and influential student experience and suggestions are in improving both courses and the overall experience here at Arts University Plymouth, as they're what have made strong memories with my friends. These opportunities are invaluable for instigating the changes you would like to see. 

If elected, I hope to be a welcoming individual who is visibly open to feedback and suggestions to elevate you and your experience here at Arts University Plymouth. I believe that my experience as a student and my participation in markets, both within and outside the Students' Union, have equipped me with the skills and knowledge to be an effective Students’ Union president. I can juggle multiple responsibilities and roles simultaneously. I am confident in my ability to address groups, present ideas and engage in discussions at any given point, bringing up important topics I may have noticed before others. Most importantly, I have the drive and passion for the university, and this role would allow me to make changes that the student body would like to see. If elected, I would make the most of this chance to help ensure students have a positive and memorable experience during their time studying here, not only for their studies but also in their friendships and networks. 

Thank you for considering me, 

Liam Alexander

“Vote for a stronger community!”

Follow my campaign on Instagram! @vote_for_liam_alexander

Viki Starmore

I have been a student here since 2020. I started on the Extended BA, followed by BA in Painting, Drawing and Printmaking, and am currently coming to the end of my MA. I am a Board Member for the Student Union and I have worked as a Student Ambassador for the previous two years. 

All these experiences have given me an insight into the underpinning policy and practices behind the scenes, as well as allowed me to meet and work with lots of staff and students across the Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Pre-degree courses and campuses.  

I came to Arts University Plymouth when I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and here I have found my purpose, creative home and community. My time here has taught me so much about being confident in showing up as the authentic me, and how much I have to offer the University, and our wider City of Plymouth community. 

I would like to:

• Support students with work-life balance and mindfulness; provide opportunities to share tips, life hacks and mindfulness techniques students can embed into daily life to help with time management, healthy boundaries and putting their health first. 

• Hold a series of informal “Crits”; offer opportunities for students to share their works in progress, practice presentations and talk about their art in a supportive, positive space, a chance to be loud and proud about their work!

• Provide information and networking; offer an opportunity for students to find out about the huge amount of arts groups, galleries, workshops, exhibitions, studios and events in the city, many of which I have existing connections with. 

• Student art fairs; provide more opportunities for students to sell their work, and opportunities to learn about how to do this. 

• Building a community for and with all students; building our community is so important to me, I have found what I know will be life-long friendships and professional links here. Those relationships are the best thing about studying at Arts University Plymouth and my greatest wish for all students is that they have the opportunity to find that community. The SU is now and will continue to be a place for everyone to feel welcome, valued and supported, from our pre-degree to post-graduate students. 

• Ensure the existing support all students can access through the SU continues and grows; keep the Food Bank fully stocked and the Period Poverty Project alive, keep working with local charities and organisations we already have established links with like Queer Out loud and Devon and Cornwall Police and to keep offering events and activities that students already love and need. 

I would love to be able to be part of providing this to future and current students, to ensure the community building, life affirming and art making journey that brings all of us together is both available and attainable to our entire student body. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my manifesto,

Viki