Lily Watson is your elected President of Chester Students’ Union for 2025/26.

Contact Lily

Get in touch: supresident@chester.ac.uk

Lily’s Priorities

CREATE MORE INCLUSIVE STUDENT-OWNED SPACES

I will look to work with the University to see how we can create more student-owned spaces, while revamping the existing spaces we know and love already.

BE PROACTIVE IN IDENTIFYING CAMPAIGNS THAT MATTER TO YOU

From anti-spiking, to sexual health, my fellow Officers and I will be bringing you campaigns that matter and endeavour to make institutional change.

TAKE A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH IN WORKING WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO ALLOW CSU TO DEVELOP ITS GROWTH STRATEGY

I will look to find opportunities for CSU to expand its footprint by working with local businesses and exploring new funding opportunities that allow us to explore new and diverse income streams to support student initiatives.

SHARED OFFICER GOALS

Make University Worth It!

We’re committed to championing every student and making sure you get the most out of your university experience by making you feel valued and supported while having the opportunities you deserve to feel part of the Chester and student community.

Here’s how:

1. Holding the University accountable

We’ll challenge the quality of teaching, communication, services and lead by example through transparency and action. We’ll keep you updated on all the changes – good and bad – by working on ways we can close the feedback loop and by sharing timely responses on issues that matter to you.

2. Building real student communities

From regular, inclusive events, to stronger funding and visibility for Societies and Sports, we’ll help every student find their place at Chester. We’ll keep that support going all year round with funding and opportunities, from sponsorships to showcase events that increase your presence on this campus, all while ensuring the vibrance you bring to your campus is valued and appreciated by all staff and students.

3. Creating student-owned spaces

We’ll make CSU more visible across every site, and fight for more student-owned, accessible spaces that reflect your needs. We will do this by making the Union spaces feel owned by students by listening to how you want you space to feel and look. We will come to you to ensure everyone is impacted by the CSU mission.

CSU president lily dressed as a condom with a microphone
2 women and a man lying on the grass with their heads in their hands smiling.

About Lily

Hello everyone, I am Lily, your CSU President for the second year running, and I will be representing you this academic year (2025/26). I graduated from the University in 2024 after studying BA Acting, making me a Kingsway student!

I have always been described as a chatter box so if you ever see me around campus make sure to come say hi! The last year I centred a lot of time around bringing you engaging campaigns, and this year it is my priority to ensure all campaigns lead by CSU are more impactful than ever before whilst ensuring your union is stronger than ever with us offering more resources, space and opportunities than previous years.

You can reach me and your Officer team anytime over on the Officers’ Instagram account, or drop into our office Monday-Friday! I look forward to this next year and cant wait to accomplish great things with you all!

Q&A with Lily

What is your guilty pleasure?

Eating too much pasta

What is your favourite thing about your job?

Having the opportunity to make long-lasting, impactful change for you all. There is no job like working in a Students’ Union and everyday is different, I feel so blessed to work in our student community and make the student experience better.

What did you study?

BA Acting

What is it like to work on your team?

I am so fortunate that I have known both Will and Luis for my whole time here at university and we share the same passion of supporting you all to have the best experience. The team is fun, lively and, most of all, compassionate. The CSU staff team are incredibly talented bunch and I am so grateful to work alongside them.

What are your hobbies?

I love to sing; I dreamed of being a singer when I was younger. Adele is the greatest of all time

Favourite TV show?

It has to be Gavin and Stacey…. Nessa is an ICON!!!!

Why did you run for President?

I ran for President because I was inspired by our student community. I wanted to be in the hub of the campus and be involved in actually making change happen. It was important to me, especially this year, that students recognised their Students’ Union.

Lily’s Committees

  • University Council
  • Planning & Resource Committee
  • Senate
  • Student Voice & Experience Committee
  • Mission Committee
  • Social Capital Steering Group
  • Student Bursary Panels
  • University & Community Liaison Meetings
  • Value for Money Steering Group
  • Academic Governance & Student Outcomes Committee
  • Students as Partners

President’s Updates

three officers stood behind giant CSU letters

President’s Update: July 2025

Hello everyone! Lily here, your CSU President! I hope you are all well. Since you loved our blogs so…

Meet your 2025-26 CSU President!

Meet your 2025-26 CSU President!

Hello everyone, I am back!!! For those that don’t know me, I am Lily your elected CSU President for …

3 officers laughing

June Update: President

Hello everyone! Its Lily here and I am back for the final time this academic year to bring you your …

Stirring the Pot with Lily

Stirring the Pot with Lily

Hey everyone! It’s Lily, your SU President, and I’m so excited to be introducing something you have …