Leeds students’ union names five executive officers

Five elected students will lead Leeds University Union during the 2026/27 academic year.

The executive team comprises Lucy Hart, Tineka Jennings, Sylvie Waterhouse-Reed, Dubem Okeke and Abinaya Ashok Anand, each responsible for a different area of the union’s work.

The officers are elected by students in the annual Lead LUU elections. Leeds University Union says students can contact them by email or social media, or visit their office on the first floor of the union building.

The executive team

• Lucy Hart is the Union Affairs and Community Student Executive. She studied international relations with a placement year at the union. Hart said she valued the sense of community in Leeds and encouraged students to explore the city beyond the student environment, including through volunteering.

• Tineka Jennings is the Student Opportunities and Development Student Executive. She studied sports and exercise science. Her advice to students is to join a society and put themselves forward to meet others and make connections.

• Sylvie Waterhouse-Reed is the Academic Experience Student Executive and studies philosophy. She said returning to ballet at university had been a positive decision. She encouraged students to take part in opportunities including academic activities and society committees.

• Dubem Okeke is the International Experience Student Executive and studies architectural engineering. He said he was interested in bringing people together through music, culture and events. He advised students to meet people from different backgrounds and try activities outside lectures.

• Abinaya Ashok Anand is the Welfare and Liberation Student Executive and is studying for an LLM in corporate law. Anand’s interests include dance, filmmaking and Jackie Chan films. She encouraged students to try new opportunities and step outside their comfort zones.

The officers’ descriptions also highlighted places around the university and city that they enjoy. Hart named the precinct outside the union and the Brotherton Library; Jennings cited the Terrace; Waterhouse-Reed mentioned the Edward Boyle Library; Okeke named the Irene Manton building’s study clusters; and Anand chose the pond at Roger Stevens Hall.

In their advice, the officers shared a common emphasis on getting involved, whether through societies, volunteering, academic opportunities or meeting people beyond familiar social groups. Their roles cover community and union affairs, student development, academic experience, international experience, and welfare and liberation.