Foreword from the Chair of Council

The University has performed extremely well over a very challenging year.

Staff have continued to deliver high-quality education, innovative research, and engagement with the local community and beyond. Students have continued their studies and extracurricular activities, supporting one another and their neighbours. Investment and development in the estate and infrastructure has been maintained. The University has responded swiftly to the changes in social distancing requirements throughout the year, providing a Covid-safe campus for those on site and delivered an efficient and effective Covid-19 testing facility.

The last year has also highlighted issues and risks for the University with income from sources other than tuition fees negatively impacted by lockdowns and social distancing measures. The ability to deliver the distinctive College experience and support structure has had to adapt to students being located around the world. Work has continued on improving the University’s physical estate and infrastructure to deliver the high-quality facilities expected by students and required to support staff.

In my role as Chair of Council, my contact with the University over the last year has mainly been conducted online and therefore engagement with members outside of Council and senior officers has been limited. However, I have joined events where possible and attended online meetings of Chairs of University Councils (CUC) where we have discussed the issues facing the sector.

We are currently undertaking a review of Council, and the effectiveness of its governance structure. The review aims to ensure the University follows best practice, particularly in light of the changes to the regulatory framework, and is able to effectively support the institution to deliver its Strategy. We will assess the outcome of the review and implement appropriate changes during 2021/22 to strengthen the longterm future of the institution.

Financial sustainability has become a core focus of the new integrated annual planning process with improved financial information and partnership working. Council endorsed the Financial Operating Plan to provide a strong foundation for institutional sustainability with focused scenario planning to consider potential impacts and mitigating actions. The University finances have remained strong despite the fluctuations in the traditional income and costs. However, the long-term sustainability of the pension schemes remains high risk and will continue to be monitored closely. Council welcomed the management review of its funding model to invest more broadly and strategically in key subject areas, enhance the digital educational offer, expand globally and ensure its operating model is market oriented and efficient to enable the University to compete successfully on a sustainable basis.

Council welcomed and endorsed the proposal from management, on moral grounds, not to charge students for unused accommodation during the year in spite of the negative impact to the University financial position. This supportive approach was subsequently extended to allow students to stay on after the end of the contract, at no charge, if they had tested positive or were required to self-isolate. The University has benefited from the steadfast leadership of Professor Stuart Corbridge who stepped down in August 2021 after six years. Throughout the year, myself and other Council members and University staff have been involved in the appointment a new Vice-Chancellor. The process was managed by Perrett Laver, an independent executive search company. Council received regular updates on progress throughout the year and formally approved the recommended candidate.

I look forward to welcoming Professor Karen O’Brien in January 2022 and would like to thank Professor Antony Long, for stepping up from his Deputy Vice-Chancellor role, to cover in the interim period.

Mr Joe Docherty Chair of Council