25 July 2023 
Jan Capper, CUBO Executive Director
This year’s CUBO Summer Conference concluded with honorary memberships for two Executive members who are stepping down after dedicated service to CUBO and the higher education sector.
Richard Kington, former Director of Accommodation Services at The University of Edinburgh, served on the CUBO Board for more than a decade, during which he spearheaded international activities.
On retiring from his role at Edinburgh, where he was responsible for housing more than 10,000 students and running the commercial accommodation, catering, event and festival services, Richard continued to serve CUBO as a non-executive director.
Honouring Richard at the CUBO conference, CUBO Chair Kirsty Woodward said he had remained a critical friend to the organisation.
“Over my time on the Board, Richard has provided sound advice and been a fantastic colleague. He was the inspiration for our international partnerships, being an early adopter of the ResLife model and developing partnerships with Acuho-i and APSAA as well as the Class Foundation,” she said.
Honorary membership was also bestowed on Jane Donachy, Associate Director: Catering, Retail and Accommodation Services at University of the Arts, London.
Part of the CUBO Executive since 2018, Jane became Vice Chair in 2021 and was instrumental in helping to guide the organisation through the pandemic, pioneering the online London Regional Group where colleagues could share their Covid concerns and experiences in an unprecedented and fast-developing crisis situation.
Kirsty hailed Jane’s role as an innovator in the sector, developing catering partnerships for UAL, as well as creating Taboo Tuesdays, a safe space for students to discuss issues of concern, and as a great people spotter who had brought fresh talent to the CUBO Board and special interest groups.
“Jane has been instrumental in increasing the membership for CUBO and aligning our membership structure. A fantastic asset for CUBO,” KIrsty said.
