Our Staff

The Union employs approximately 110 career staff and a further 300 student workers to manage its day-to-day activities. We employ everyone from accountants (Finance), solicitors (Student Advice), to plumbers (Facilities), chefs (Venues) and letting agents (Cardiff Student Letting). The Union is also supported by thousands of student volunteers and 200 contractors who help deliver our activity. The Union’s staff are led by our Chief Executive and a broader Strategic Management Team. 

Senior Staff

Daniel Palmer 

Chief Executive

Daniel is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation, oversees the work of the other senior managers and works closely with the Students' Union President and the other sabbatical officers.

Daniel helps ensure continuity within the organisation, works closely with senior staff from the University and takes a particular responsibility for the Students' Union’s Finance Team. Daniel serves as the Chief Executive and Managing Director of the Union’s trading company, Cardiff Union Services Limited and reports to the Board of Trustees.

Prior to his role at the Students' Union, Daniel has held many senior roles within other students’ unions, most recently as Chief Executive of the University of Portsmouth Students' Union.

Ben Eagle

Deputy Chief Executive

Ben first started working for the Students' Union in November 2002, whilst studying at Cardiff University. After some time working as a freelancer, predominantly in the outdoor and live music event industry, Ben then took up a permanent position in the Students’ Union's Events and Entertainments department. Later in his career he moved into Facilities and Project Management for both capital and new business initiatives. Ben became Director of Operations in March 2014, with a particular focus on leading and developing our People provision.

In 2016, Ben was appointed as Deputy Chief Executive and leads on many of the central and enabling services as well as our commercial provision. These areas include HR, ICT, facilities management, health and safety, capital projects, leased spaces, licensed and multi-purpose venues, and our letting agency.

Steve Wilford 

Director of Engagement & Participation

Steve has worked for the Students' Union since April 2008, becoming the Director of Membership Services in September 2013. Steve is responsible for the Union’s Membership Services and student activities, including Student Advice, Sport, Societies, Volunteering, Student Media, Jobshop, Training & Development and Student Voice.

Steve is also the senior manager responsible for coordinating the Union’s democratic activities including elections and administration of Student Senate. In Summer 2017, Steve's job title changed to Director of Engagement & Participation, to better reflect the language used within the organisation.

Raechel Mattey

Director of Communications 

Raechel joined the Students' Union in June 2018 and is responsible for developing brand awareness and enhancing communication capabilities in line with strategic objectives.

Prior to this role, Raechel has held several roles in Students’ Unions and the National Union of Students, most recently as Deputy CEO at Middlesex University Students’ Union.

Raechel oversees Marketing and Communications, Sales and Customer Service, and Web and Data protection functions of the organisation.

Jan Boyce

Director of Finance

Jan joined the Students' Union in November 2021 and is responsible for the strategic management of the Union’s financial resources.

Prior to this role, Jan has held several senior financial roles in charitable and commercial organisations. She is an alumnus of Cardiff University where she studied Maths.

Jan oversees the finance function of the organisation.