Geoff Kershaw

With over 25 years of experience working in SME’s and large corporates, Geoff brings a wealth of commercial, change management and leadership experience to the board. He has worked in the UK and internationally for Walgreen Boots Alliance (formerly The Boots Company), as part of the strategy development team at Barclays Bank and latterly as Managing Director or Thorntons Retail, part of the Ferrero UK Group.

Currently Geoff runs his own business as an SME mentor and consultant, he is co-founder of a Dubai based Retail and Wholesale business and a Non-Executive Director of The Retail Summer School Ltd.

Phil Gilks

Phil has built a career across both universities and students’ unions. Currently Chief Executive of City, University of London Students’ Union and Co-Chair of the University’s Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team, he began as a student staff member before being elected President of Brighton Students’ Union. He has since held roles at the University of Chichester Students’ Union and at both the Students’ Union and University at Queen Mary University of London.

Phil has joined DSU as an External Trustee to give something back to the sector and help DSU in the next steps along its journey. Phil is particularly interested in supporting DSU to develop and implement its new strategy, ensuring future success.

Rita Bullivant

Rita was born and grew up in Leicester, her educational life and a substantial part of her early career was also based in Leicester.

Currently she is (in a professional capacity) – Director IT & Change for the Melton Building Society and has spent her career working in a variety of industries and volunteer roles at strategic levels including CPRE Leicestershire and the City of Leicester Museums Trust and was a magistrate for over 20 years.

At home she is married with 2 daughters, a dog, cat and plenty of fish.

Beverley Shears

Appointed as an independent governor in August 2020. Beverley Chairs the People and Culture Committee and is a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Beverley has held senior leadership and HR roles across the public and private sectors, including the Olympic Delivery Authority, Ministry of Justice, and Stagecoach South West Trains. She now leads Blue Amaranth Consultancy Ltd and brings additional non-executive board experience from the NHS, British Transport Police Authority, and Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust.

Suzan

My name is Suzan, and I’m a Business Management student with a strong interest in leadership, governance, and student representation. Through balancing academic studies with part-time work, I have developed resilience, adaptability, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility. Passionate about ensuring that students' voices are heard.

I applied for the Student Trustee role to contribute to strategic decision-making and help create a positive and inclusive student experience. I am committed to supporting the Students' Union's goals while bringing a thoughtful and student-focused perspective to the board.

Muhammad Razza

Muhammad Razza is a student at De Montfort University with a growing track record in student leadership, representation, and volunteering. As Student Council Chairman and Course Representative, he has gained experience in chairing discussions, supporting student voice, and approaching issues with fairness, responsibility, and accountability.

He is motivated by roles that require sound judgement, integrity, and a strong sense of stewardship. Muhammad is particularly keen to contribute in environments where oversight, representation, and strategic thinking are important, and where decisions must be made in the best interests of students and the wider organisation. He presents himself as dependable, thoughtful, and committed to making a meaningful contribution.

Precious Ikechukwu

Precious is currently completing an MSc in Project Management while serving as the Student Voice Academic Officer at DSU. She has experience as a student faculty representative and is passionate about student advocacy, leadership, and effective stakeholder engagement across higher education and beyond.

Dedicated to amplifying diverse student voices and fostering inclusive environments, Precious combines her commitment to sustainable development with a proactive approach to driving meaningful change. Recognized with a volunteering award at DSU for her dedication to the student community, she aims to use her skills in project delivery to positively impact the student experience at DMU.

Aftab Sayed

Badhri Sai Purnima Raj Durgapu

Badhri (he/him) is a recent MSc Computing graduate from De Montfort University and Student Voice Leader for Employability (2025–26), helping connect students with career opportunities and real-world experience.

In 2024–25, he served as International Students’ Liberation Officer, leading initiatives to improve support for international students, including tuition fee flexibility reforms and an on-campus placements programme that expanded part-time work opportunities for students with work restrictions.

Beyond DSU, Badhri has served as Wellbeing Officer for the DMU Telugu Society and as a Course Representative, promoting student wellbeing, supporting academic improvements, and championing an inclusive student experience. As a Trustee, he is committed to ensuring decisions are inclusive, forward-thinking, and focused on student needs.

Aamira Waghmar

Originally from Daman, India, Aamira is now currently serving as the Student Voice Leader for International Student Experience. She chose to become a trustee of the DSU because she truly believes in the power that student voices hold to shape a more inclusive and supportive university experience - especially for thos who have travelled far from home for their studies.

Having experienced the ups and downs of adapting to a new culutrue and education system, Aamira is passionate about making sure no international student feels isolated or unheard. As a trustee, her aim is to push for better communication channels. more cultural exchange opportunities, and accessible support systems that reflect the diverse backgrounds of the student community. For her, the role is more than representation - it's about action. She wants every international student to feel confident, connect, and cared for at DMU.

Dilpreet Kaur

Dilpreet is a second-year undergraduate student studying BSc (Hons) Cyber Security. Alongside her studies she is serving as the DSU Student Voice Leader for Inclusion and Wellbeing for the academic year 25-26. Her goal is to help create a supportive space where each student can flourish in their own way. Alongside this leadership role, She is passionate about cybersecurity. The increasing threat to digital data and personal identity concerns her greatly. Dilpreet is committed to learning more about building cyber-safe space.

She has always believed that “when life gives you a chance to do something, make the most of it.” That’s exactly what she will be doing through her role—making the most of the opportunity to be a strong voice for others and driving meaningful and positive change.