Students' Guild appoints new chief executive

The Students’ Guild is delighted to announce that Tracy Costello has been appointed as our new Chief Executive.

The decision to appoint Tracy follows a rigorous application and interview process. We were fortunate to have a strong field of candidates and are excited to welcome Tracy to the role.

Tracy joined the Students’ Guild in 2005 from Littlewoods Retail, taking up the newly created post of Commercial Development Manager. Responsible for overseeing the Guild’s trading outlets, Tracy quickly implemented a number of strategic changes that transformed the service delivery of the outlets and boosted customer service to students.

In 2007 Tracy undertook the role of Acting General Manager, assuming oversight of Guild operations. In this post, Tracy guided the Guild through a period of turbulence and financial instability whilst delivering against strategic priorities and objectives and increasing student engagement.

In 2008 Tracy was appointed to the role of Deputy Chief Executive which included leadership of the Business & Enterprise directorate. Whilst supporting the Chief Executive in leading the Students’ Guild, Tracy also managed many of the Guild’s central services including Finance, Personnel, IT, administration, IGNITE, company compliance and, until 2013, Communications & Marketing. In this complex role, Tracy was a key figure in stabilising and developing the Guild, establishing a strong position for the future. Cost reduction programmes and quality enhancement initiatives such as the Student Union Evaluation Initiative are just two examples of schemes introduced under Tracy’s tenure that have ensured the continued growth of the Guild.

Since September 2013 Tracy has been in post as Interim Chief Executive, ensuring a seamless transition during the departure of the outgoing Chief Executive and continuity of service provision. In her short time as Interim CE, Tracy led an action group to ensure the provision of an outstanding Freshers’ experience to every student in the context of a sharp rise in student numbers and has, most recently, implemented the Pop-up Guild in X-Keys, bringing Guild services directly to students at the St. Luke’s campus.

As Tracy takes up the post of Chief Executive the Students’ Guild is looking ahead to exciting times of further growth and development, and to bringing ever stronger services to our valued members. We hope you will all join us in congratulating Tracy on her appointment and in wishing her every success for the future.