Tobias Barker
BA Business Management 2012
Students’ Union President 2011/12
Hey I’m Tobias, a recent graduate in Business Management and it’s a huge honour to be able to represent the many thousands of students internationally, locally and across our University structures, serving as the President of the Students’ Union this year.
This was part of the welcome message from Tobias Barker that appeared on the University of Sunderland Students’ Union Handbook in 2011.
Tobias, who was President during the academic year 2011/12, said: “It was a once in a lifetime experience, and such a pleasure to have served the student body. I loved representing the views of thousands of students and translating that into a more productive student experience.”
During his tenure, the business graduate oversaw the rebranding of the Students’ Union logo to reflect the changing role and responsibilities of the organisation.
“Whilst I was in power we finalised the process for applying for the Union charitable status and created a full Board of Trustees; we got the Students’ Union back into the National Union of Students (NUS); started the Student Led Teaching Awards; and created USSU's first Impact Report,” he explained.
However there were also some challenges during that year.
“My biggest challenge as a President was getting to the point where we could hold our first referendums under the new company and governance structure to make great things happen,” he said.
During that academic year, North Shore, City Space and the Bonded Warehouse remained at the heart of the Union’s activities. Ministry of Sound UniTrash took place every Friday at North Shore. The Fresher’s Fortnight was divided between North Shore and City Space, with the Union’s Fresher’s Market taking place at North Shore and the Fresher’s Fayre taking place at City Space.
Live bands, club nights, student productions, university events, comedy and theatre took place at North Shore on a regular basis.
The Bonded Warehouse was next door to the Panns Bank Hall, usually frequented by students who lived in the University Halls nearby.
Tobias said: “I frequented Bonded Warehouse quite a bit as I lived in Panns Bank then Scotia Quay whilst studying. On a typical night out I’d then end up at Blu Bambu (when it was around in my early student years) or Independent, and later on it was Passion.
“On less active evenings, I'd hang out with friends at Revolution.”
Despite being more of a ‘rugby man’ before his time at the University, the 27-year-old still recalls attending his first Sunderland AFC match.
“The City grew on me and I have shared some great memories at the Stadium of Light,” he said.
Tobias is now a Management Trainee for the Hertfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service. He has also recently completed a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management in Public Services at the University of Hertfordshire.