You can be among the first to find out who the next president is by watching National Conference live on our internet video stream, click here for more information.
NUS has also made the full list of former presidents available, click here to download the list, dating back to 1922 when NUS was founded by Ivison Macadam.
Trevor Phillips
Born in 1953, Trevor Phillips studied at Imperial College, London where he served as President from 1975–1977. At the same time he also held some part-time positions on the NUS NEC, Vice President Education 1975–1976, Vice President Areas 1976–1977 and Secretary 1977–1978 – he was then elected National President in 1978 serving until 1980. A key focus of his time in office was making the case for a development plan in response to the collapse of NUS Travel in 1976, despite strong opposition from conference floor the future planning process went ahead. He had to deal with a change of government and ensure NUS was able to face the challenge of what would be an increasingly dogmatic Conservative government.
After NUS he pursued a career in broadcast journalism. He stood as the Labour Candidate for Mayor of London but was beaten by Ken Livingstone who was standing as an independent, however he did secure a place on the London Assembly. In 2003 he left this position to head the Commission for Racial Equality and supervised the merger that created the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which he leads.
Fred Jarvis
Born in 1925 Fred Jarvis was President of NUS from 1952–1954, having previously served as Deputy President in 1951–1952. He studied for a Diploma in Social Sciences at Liverpool and then went onto St. Catherine’s College, Oxford to study for a BA (Hons) in PPE. It was under Fred’s leadership that NUS Council finally took the decision to leave the International Union of Students (IUS) in October 1952. The rift did not stop exchange visits between Russian and British students, one of which Fred participated in during 1954.
During his Presidency NUS representatives were invited to meet with the Parliamentary Education Committees of the main political parties which led to regular meetings with ministers responsible for Education, at the same time closer links were developed with local education authorities and with the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals. NUS’ reputation was enhanced through the production of well researched policy documents prepared by the Grants and Welfare Department led by Stella Greenall. The most significant was the Annual Survey of LEA awards, such was the quality of NUS’ research it was invited to submit evidence to the triennial review of student awards. Fred intervened on behalf of the student presidents of Essex Technical College and Bangor Normal Training College, both of them were “sent down” for criticising their colleges. Fred’s national press campaign got them reinstated. In 1954 he wrote:
“MPs, local authorities and public bodies have come to regard us as a responsible body with a case to be listened to - these benefit students everywhere, even when their union is not affiliated to us.”
Under Fred’s leadership NUS’ profile was significantly enhanced. He also established the “Observer Mace” debating tournament in 1953 and did much to promote the NUS Student Drama Festival. His wife Anne Colgrove also served as NUS Vice President 1952–1953, sadly she died in April 2007. After NUS Fred joined the NUT in 1954, going on to serve as their General Secretary from 1975–1989. In 1987 he was elected President of the TUC. He also served as an NUS trustee for many years never losing his passion for education and student rights.