Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
- UEB were briefed on a number of leadership team updates which are being announced this week. Professor Andrew Atherton, our joint Vice-President International and Engagement, will from 1st July assume a full-time role at the University, and will relinquish his part-time role as a Director of Navitas. Andrew will also assume responsibility for leading the development of a new Digital Strategy for the University. He will continue to share the International and Engagement Vice-President portfolio with Professor Jane Falkingham, whose title is being changed to Vice-President Engagement and International, to recognise her prime leadership of our Civic strategic plan, and delivery of our Civic University agreements with our five local Councils. Following consultation with colleagues in the Faculty of Medicine and approval by Senate and Council, Professor Diana Eccles, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, has been confirmed for a further three years as Dean, commencing 1 September 2023.
- Dr Giles Carden will be joining us as Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer on 1st May, after postponing his original start date for family reasons. Reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor and a member of UEB, Giles will assume leadership of the Change Portfolio Office and will serve as institutional lead on the development and monitoring of the University Strategy and the supporting strategic plans. Professor Mandy Fader will, as planned, step back in July from her role as Associate Vice-President Strategic Major Projects to focus on her research and professorial role.
- There was an update on the ongoing national industrial action by members of the University and College Union (UCU), relating to pay and working conditions. UEB noted that a marking and assessment boycott started on Thursday last week. Our primary focus is, of course, to ensure that our students are not disadvantaged by any action and that there is minimal disruption to their studies and progression, and we will be working closely with SUSU and other colleagues as we implement contingency plans.
- There was a discussion about the University’s membership of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in the light of shocking recent allegations about its workplace culture, including allegations of rape. The University has in the past found its membership helpful at a regional and national level in respect of the skills, research and innovation agendas, and feeding into Government policy-making. However, UEB has been appalled by the recent revelations, particularly in a membership organisation which should adhere to the highest professional standards. As a result, UEB recommended to the Vice-Chancellor that we pause our membership with immediate effect, and we will not renew our membership until – and unless – we are fully satisfied that the CBI has put in place the measures required to ensure wholescale cultural change.
- At a time of ever-heightening international geo-political tensions, there was a discussion about the increasing political and media scrutiny all universities are facing in respect of their partnerships with international institutions, and research partnerships, especially where there could be dual use civilian/military implications. At Southampton we are acutely aware of the potential issues, and adhere to Government advice.
- UEB heard that this week will see communication around the new Workload Principles Project, which has been established in response to concerns raised by our staff community and our Trade Unions, and will form part of an ongoing long-term dialogue about the complex topic of workload. It’s going to be really important that we hear from colleagues from every part of the organisation to design these principles, and to explore how we can make them inclusive and meaningful. We will therefore establish a number of focus groups, with representation from staff at all levels and pathways. UEB members were asked to encourage involvement in this important project.
- UEB noted the Risk Management Annual Report, which will now be considered by our Council’s Audit Committee. The report presents an overview and update on progress of the risk management framework since June 2022. Actions identified in the last annual report included development of a risk appetite against an agreed plan and timetable. This is now complete in respect to strategic risk with clearly identified appetites for each strategic objective accompanied by a qualitative narrative for each strategic plan and an overarching narrative for the University. Next in the ‘to do’ plan will be operational risk appetites which will link directly to the risk matrix. Progress has been made in respect of transfer over to the new format operational risk registers, with all Faculties submitting a new version in early 2023 via business planning.
- UEB also noted the Annual Report Health & Safety 2022, which will also be considered by Council and Audit Committee. 2022 was a year of re-establishing the directorate’s priorities and withdrawing from what had been a very intense period of COVID pandemic management, although some positive benefits have continued such as representation at the local Health Protection Board, and closer links with the UK Health Security Agency.
- Finally, there was the regular review of the University Risk Register.