Robert Smeath (BA Law, 1991)

What motivated you to run for the position of Guild President?

I had been involved in the Junior Common Room of Mason Hall from the end of my first term at Birmingham and from there got involved with Guild Council. The opportunity to represent my fellow students was appealing and serving as a Sabbatical Officer was a natural extension of the work I had done in the Hall and on Guild Council.

What lessons did you learn in your role that have been valuable in your career?

The power of working with others for the collective good is a huge theme. Modern communication means that I am in touch with all members of my Sabbatical Officer Team and many of the Executive Committee who served with me.

Teamwork involved not only student officers but also many talented paid staff. The Permanent Secretary (General Manager) was Ian King who was a giant in the Student Union movement and died too young. Working with him taught me the difference between governance and management which has served me well in many voluntary roles I have taken on since my time as President. A student (however talented) cannot expect to be as experienced as a professional manager but we have a unique insight into what is important for students and recognising that makes the sum of the parts so much more impactful.

Finally, the ability to serve on University Council and Senate and with the Vice Chancellor, Registrar and Secretary was an education. I learnt to understand the roles of others and to emphasise how we can work together for the benefit of the whole University community.

What do you consider your biggest achievement during your time as Guild President?

During my year we invested more resources into welfare and advice and over the years I am proud to see how this has grown. The Guild in the late 1980's and early 1990's was very much about entertainment and raising commercial revenue from bars and catering and the decision to strengthen the support for students in other areas has borne fruit over the years.

Can you share a memorable, funny, or poignant story from your time as Guild President?

There are many stories of individual students whom I was able to help with academic appeals or welfare matters which allowed them to stay at University. This often involved advocating to them to academic staff. The most amusing example I can recall is when two students asked if I could arrange for them to meet Denis Healy who was a former Chancellor of the Exchequer who was visiting campus. The specific request was to have a picture with him doing a high kick. I asked the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar and Secretary who were sceptical but they asked and he agreed. The resulting picture was sufficiently good to appear on the front of the regular University bulletin! 

What advice would you give to current and future Guild officers?

Seize your opportunities and enjoy every moment. The role is not without challenge but it is an opportunity which very few have. I cannot say what you will learn or how it will shape you but both these things will happen and it is a privilege to look back on the broader education I gained from serving in this role.