12.3 Governance
Introduction
This category covers information relating to the way Edinburgh Napier University is governed and how decisions are made. It includes information on the legal status of the University, which individual member of staff or group within the organisation is responsible for specific functions and where they fit in the overall structure of the organisation.
Legal framework
This contains information on how this University was established and its standing from a legal perspective. It can be found on our Instruments of Governance pages.
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Governance structure
This Class contains information on our governance structures and related operational procedures.
The 
Edinburgh Napier Court and Main Committees structure illustrates how the governance processes work within our organisation. It highlights the roles and responsibilities of each of the main committees and the names of the Chairs and Convenors.
Information concerning the University Court membership can be found here.
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Governance precepts
We have specific procedures to ensure compliance with good governance precepts
. The effective conduct of our business requires the creation of relationships of confidence, trust and sharing information between the Principal, the Court Chairman and members of Court. The 7 principles of public life as defined by the Committee of Standards in Public Life provide the basis on which we conduct our affairs. These are:
- selflessness
- integrity
- objectivity
- accountability
- openness
- honesty
- leadership.
Further information on our arrangements for compliance with governance precepts can be found in our Court Handbook.
Edinburgh Napier employs both internal and external auditors to ensure robust systems of internal control and accurate and transparent annual accounts. The internal and external audit functions are contracted out. Deloittes presently provide Edinburgh Napier University with an internal audit function. The external auditor service is provided by Ernst & Young. For further information relating to the internal or external audit functions including audit summary reports, please write to foi@napier.ac.uk
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Conflict of interest policy
In the interests of good corporate governance, probity, transparency and best practices, court members disclose any pecuniary or other material interest which might conflict with any business coming before the Court or its sub committees. This is our Conflict of Interest policy. Further information on governance precepts can be found in our Court Handbook.
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Register of interests
In keeping with Governance precepts, we maintain a Register of Interests for members of Court. This can be viewed by prior appointment at
University Secretary's Office
Edinburgh Napier University
Sighthill Campus
Sighthill Court
Edinburgh, EH11 4BN
Applicants who wish to examine the Register of Interests should notify us via email at foi@napier.ac.uk so that arrangements can be made.
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Institutional structure
This class provides information about our organisational units and how these relate to each other. Our University's structure chart illustrates how we are organised by Senior Management group, Faculty, School and Professional Service.
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Major committees
This class provides information on the activities of the major committees with devolvd decision-making powers. Information on the Court, Academic Board and Court sub-committees can be viewed here.
Minutes of Court are published here.
Minutes of Academic Board are published here.
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Relationship with the General Council
In keeping with the Model Publication Scheme, this class should cover the legal and structural basis of the institution's relationship with its General Council (or similar statutory bodies representing its graduates). Edinburgh Napier University does not have a General Council or similar statutory body.
Subsidiary companies
This class covers information on the names, addresses and broad functions and purposes of companies where the University is a majority shareholder. The following companies are wholly owned by the University and each has its own publication scheme:
Napier Overseas Development Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edinburgh Napier University. The company is a vehicle, which the University utilises for certain overseas operations, the initial representative office being in Beijing, China
Napier University Ventures Ltd was set up in 1987 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edinburgh Napier University. The principal activity of the company is to provide and to assist in providing research, consultancy, training and general education services. The company is limited by guarantee. The company’s associated companies are: Cardio Digital Ltd and Flexicage Ltd.
Edinburgh International Hotel School Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edinburgh Napier University. The company was incorporated on 22 June 1992 and is dormant. The company was formed to protect the name relative to the University’s catering school.
NUNIV Developments Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edinburgh Napier University. The company was set up on 31 May 2000 to ringfence the capital developments at the University’s Merchiston, Craiglockhart and Craighouse campuses for project control, external finance and capital allowances. The company leases various properties from the Napier University at its Merchsiton and Craiglockhart campuses. The company is not currently undertaking any construction services activities.
NUNIV Construction Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edinburgh Napier University. The company was set up on 31 May 2000 to ringfence the capital developments at the University’s Merchiston, Craiglockhart and Craighouse campuses for project control, external finance and capital allowances. The company has contracted with the appointed contractors to build the computer facility and to refurbish the refectory at Merchiston and to redevelop the Craiglockhart campus. The company is not currently undertaking any construction services activities.
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Honorary degrees
Edinburgh Napier University confers Honorary Awards on persons of distinction who, through their work or other commitments, embody the values of the University and reflect, in the excellence of what they do, the nature of the University. There are two categories of honorary awards:
(1) an Honorary Doctorate Degree, appropriate for those who have made a major contribution at national and/or international level;
(2) an Honorary Master’s Degree, appropriate for those who have made a major contribution in a particular region or locality, or for outstanding service to the UniversityPolicies, procedures and awards of Honorary degrees.
Our policies and procedures for awarding these degrees can be found in our Honorary Awards guidelines. The names of our Honorary Graduates and Fellows since 1986 can be found on here.
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