CUBO (College and University Business Officers) is the association for commercial and campus services professionals in higher and further education, whose responsibilities include the strategic development, management and operation of an institution's commercial business. This includes student accommodation; catering, hospitality and retail operations; conferencing and events, including business and leisure tourism. It can include hotels, tourist attractions and arts venues, and many CUBO members have responsibility for services such as sport, security, print, transport, parking, cleaning, childcare, customer services and other soft facilities management. Whether delivered in-house or through external partners, these services play a crucial role in the success and reputation of every institution.
At CUBO, our mission is to lead and promote excellence in the development of campus life, services and the student experience. We provide our members with access to research and resources, advocacy, professional development and, importantly, a strong and supportive professional community.
One of CUBO’s greatest strengths is its network. Our special interest groups and regional communities bring together colleagues from every area of campus and commercial services, creating safe spaces to exchange ideas, share challenges, and collaborate on solutions. Staying up to date with sector trends, regulatory developments and emerging opportunities is vital, and our networking groups ensure members remain ahead of the curve. Our three annual conferences are a highlight of the CUBO calendar, and members tell us that the connections they make there are among the most valuable aspects of their CUBO membership.
We also work closely with sector partners to generate insights that support informed decision-making. Our annual benchmarking survey, a collaboration with the Russell Partnership Group, offers participating institutions access to a personalised data dashboard to compare their performance across the sector, supporting strategic planning and providing evidence for business cases. Collaborations with organisations such as Global Student Living give our members access to the latest trends within student accommodation, while targeted research projects (for example, our recent work with Student First Group on commuting students) help address emerging sector challenges. We are also proud to offer an extensive online Knowledge Hub, giving members on-demand access to presentations, resources and recordings from CUBO events.
The higher education landscape continues to evolve at pace, with ongoing financial pressures, shifts in student demographics, rapid technological change and rising student expectations that all create new and complex demands. CUBO’s role is to ensure our members remain informed, supported and connected so that they are equipped to navigate these challenges and to drive continuous improvement in the services that matter so much to institutions and the student experience.
Within this context, the role of the CUBO Executive Director is central to our success. They are the driving force behind our strategic direction, partnerships, operations and member engagement. They will help shape the future of CUBO, strengthening our voice across the sector and ensuring we continue to offer the highest-quality support to our members.
If this opportunity resonates with your experience and aspirations, I encourage you to put yourself forward.
Melissa Browne
CUBO Chair and Acting Director of Campus Services, University of Kent
