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). Our staff are led by our Chief Executive and a broader Strategic Management Team.
Daniel Palmer
Chief Executive
Daniel became Chief Executive of the Students' Union in June 2013. 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.
Raechel Mattey
Deputy Chief Executive
Raechel joined the Students' Union in June 2018 as the Director of Communications and was later appointed as Deputy Chief Executive in March 2024.
Raechel spearheads the enhancement of the organisation's brand, digital presence, and overall influence, aligning efforts with strategic goals. Additionally, she is responsible for driving organisational performance by improving employee practices and enhancing satisfaction levels.
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 Web, Human Resources, Student Voice and Advice teams, as well as being the senior lead for the complaints policy across the organisation.
Steve Wilford
Director of Participation & Safeguarding
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.
Phil Dayment
Director of Enterprise
Phil joined the Students' Union in 2015 as Food and Beverage Manager, advancing to Head of Venues in 2016, a position he held until November 2023, when he assumed the role of Director of Enterprise.
As Director of Enterprise, Phil leads the organisation's commercial income-generating areas and oversees financial performance. A key aspect of his role is to ensure the highest possible student experiences and satisfaction with the services he oversees, thereby ensuring that the Cardiff experience is of the highest quality.
Before this role, Phil accumulated 16 years of experience in the hospitality sector, ranging from General Manager to Regional Wide Cluster Group Management. His experience spans late-night bars and clubs, hotels, and restaurants across the UK.
Phil oversees the Venues Department, Cardiff Student Lettings, Sales, and Customer Service.
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.