Communicate April 2011

ISSUE 9

Corporate Services

communicate APRIL 2011

E:

IN THIS ISSU

News in brief s? g on our campu

What’s livin ecial Merit Award sp hola Stanbury ic N n o t h ig tl o p S diary Dates for your

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Cover picture Cover picture: read about Nichola Stanbury, Head Chef at Reed Hall who features in our Spotlight on...article on page 8.

welcome

communicate Corporate Services

Welcome to the new-look Communicate, which will be available to all Corporate Services staff on a quarterly basis. For more up-to-date news a monthly email bulletin will be sent to you all; those of you without access

E: IN THIS ISSU

Welcome 2 News in brief 3 Merit awards 5 pus? 6 m a c r u o n o g in hat’s liv

W

nbury 8 ta S la o h ic N : n Spotlight o sident 10 e r P d il u G e th Hear from diary 11 Dates for your Quiz 12

to email please speak to your manager or contact cscommunication@exeter.ac.uk for the latest updates.

As a member of Corporate Services you are one of just over 800 staff and to fit in an update for everyone is a tricky business. We do hope this month’s issue will provide a flavour of interest for you. Each issue of Communicate will follow a similar format with updates from across the service, a campus-based feature and a staff-related item.

We will also have a focus on a member of staff; in this quarter’s issue we speak to Nicky Stanbury, Head Chef from Reed Hall. The Guild President for this year has also taken some time out of his busy diary to talk to us and let us know how our students are currently feeling.

On the back page you will find some key dates for your diary, and finally why not take five minutes to have a go at the word search for a chance to win £25 of Marks & Spencer’s vouchers.

Communicate is a magazine for all Corporate Services staff so please contact us if you have any items you would like to see in the next edition or any queries you have about this edition. Your general views and comments are also welcome.

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General The Corporate Services website now has a new homepage which can be viewed at www.exeter.ac.uk/corporateservices. If you have any comments please use the feedback form by clicking on ‘your feedback’ in the bottom right hand corner.

Campus Services Helpdesk

Two new Research Accountants

The Campus Services Helpdesk team are very pleased to be in their new reception area at Streatham Farm. The team were previously split across two rooms, and the new working environment has been a success. Moving forward, the team have been working on a new Facilities Management system to allow the reporting and recording of faults to be more efficient.

Paul Jenkins joined in December 2010 and will mainly assist the College of Humanities with their funding-related research activity.

Event Exeter Event Exeter would like to welcome two new additions to their team. Wayne Chamberlain, who previously worked for Retail Services at Westpoint Exhibition Arena, has joined the team.

Wayne will be the new Sales Manager for Event Exeter, developing new leads and securing new business to help the team reach their financial income target for the year.

Kate Concah has also joined the team as the new Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator.

Kate has been working at the University for over three years in the Employability and Graduate Development Division, working on the employer engagement side of the provision. She is very excited to join the Event Exeter team in her new role, which will be marketing-based as this will draw on her business-focussed and marketing background.

Finance Services Finance Services would like to welcome an array of new staff. Good luck to everyone.

Margaret Laithwaite, Deputy Director of Finance – Margaret came to Exeter in January 2011 from Manchester University where she was in a similar role. She originally worked as Deputy Director of Finance for UMIST and transferred when the universities merged.

Anne Shrubshall takes up a new role of Assistant Director of Finance with responsibility for all areas of corporate finance, including annual financial statements, VAT etc, together with finance systems and policies.

John Hay joined in January 2011 and predominantly works alongside Susan Hadley dealing with EU Grant Funding across the various colleges and assists the Business School with their funding-related research activity.

Three new Finance Business Partners Suzanne Baxter and Liz Mundy both joined in November 2010 and Karen Best commenced work in January 2011. All three work on a 50% part-time basis.

Marion Williams, Professional Services Accounting – Marion returned from maternity leave in January following the birth of her second son. Steve Sharp, who covered Marion’s maternity leave, has left the University for a new post in the private health sector.

Clare Rule, ESI Project Support Officer – Clare started as a permanent member of staff in a new role supporting the financial monitoring and grant claims process for the Environmental and Sustainability project. She is based at the Cornwall Campus.

Grounds The team have been very busy over the last few months, having planted 67 standard trees around Campus. These include a mix of Sorbus (Rowan) and Malus (Apple) trees on the banking at the rear of Building:1 at the Business School to give interest from spring (Malus flowers) to autumn (berries on Rowans).

news in brief

Jeremy Lindley’s staff talk will take place on Wednesday 20 April, in Streatham Court A. Please take a look at the dates for your diary section for other key items and add them to your diaries!

A quick round up from all of the services for 2011 so far

Things have also been busy at St Luke’s where staff have planted a new garden to the rear of the Library for students to enjoy as a new outdoor study space. A new hazel hedgerow has also been planted at Rowancroft.

The pond works just below Reed Hall have now been completed and the fish were re-introduced in early March. Both the grounds team and students will continue to monitor their progress.

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A quick round up from all of the services for 2011 so far

And finally congratulations to James O’Callaghan, who received the award for Best Arboricultural Student from Bicton College earlier in the year.

news in brief

Procurement Services Want to know more about procurement at the University? The team have been working on some new ways of making staff more aware of what they need to do and be aware of when buying goods or services.

Firstly a new Guidance manual is available on the Procurement website. This edition aims to provide information throughout the whole of the procurement process. It will exist as a ‘live’ document, meaning your feedback is essential in ensuring its usefulness to all staff.

Further to this, staff can now book on to the new and well-received ‘Introduction to Procurement’ course. Staff can expect an introduction to what procurement is and what the University expects from those staff who are authorised to buy goods and services.

Intermediate and advanced training courses are currently in design, and will follow soon.

Quality and Training It has been a busy few months in the Quality and Training team. Over 100 staff have been trained in the British Institute of Cleaning Science, and the training course portfolio has continued to increase with the introduction of more varied and bespoke courses.

Davina Elliott-Cannon has been leading on the Investors in People ‘Health Checks’ and has gained feedback from over 600 staff so far. Her work continues across the whole of Professional Services. Alison Blackler has also joined the team, from Event Exeter, to work as the Communication Manager for Corporate Services.

Security – Estate Patrol Over the last couple of months everyone in the department has gained a BTEC Level 2 Award in Physical Restraint (Security). This allowed some members of staff to build on the skills learnt during their Door Supervisors Training and for others the techniques were totally new. The award is nationally recognised and includes a number of core principles including investigating the difference between non-harmful methods of control and

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more restrictive methods of control, and when the use of such methods would be considered appropriate. Well done to the whole team.

Sport Sport have been working hard on presentation and now have a complete new uniform! This is to go alongside new signs, images and new marketing materials coming soon. There have also been a range of new fitness classes including the hugely popular Zumba – a Latin-based dance class that uses international themes (salsa, meringue and African beats, etc). If you have never tried it, then you must. Ditch the workout! Join the party!

Student Sports Success It has been another good year for our student sports teams. We are heading towards a top 10 finish in the British Universities and Colleges Sport rankings. The students train hard and that is certainly paying off! The win ratio is at 58% for this year so far. Did you know we have some of the best up-and-coming sports talent in the country?

For example: Exeter students Chris Reakes, 3rd-year Exercise and Sports Science, and Tom Sargeant, 2nd-year Geography, recently made their first starts for England Students at fly half and flanker respectively.

Staff offers and suggestions There are some exciting plans in the pipeline to further engage us, the staff, to make more use of the sports facilities on campus – look out for some new campaigns. Do you have any ideas yourself?

Just email exetersport@exeter.ac.uk with your ideas.

Sustainability The new Environmental Sustainability website went live at the beginning of March.

View the latest campaigns and recycling and sustainability targets at www.exeter.ac.uk/ environmentalsustainability

Merit Award Special The University constantly develops to ensure members of staff are recognised for their exceptional performance and contribution. One such tool is the University Merit Award process. Last year alone over 20 teams were successful throughout Corporate Services and nearly 60 individuals received the award, but

THE FACTS:

what are they really about and how do you get involved?

• Who can be involved?

Any individual or team within Corporate Services at any grade can be nominated, or nominate themselves for a Merit Award. As a member of staff you automatically become eligible for consideration for a Merit Award after 12 months’ continuous service with the University, subject to remaining in the employment of the University on the date payment for the Merit Awards is made.

• When does the process take place?

The process generally takes place in the summer of each year, once the previous year’s financial accounts have been finalised and the money released.

• How do I nominate someone?

Nomination forms will be made available to all Corporate Services staff via email or the internal mail once the nomination period begins and must be submitted before the nomination period closes.

• Why should I take part in the process?

The Merit Award process provides an opportunity to highlight and be recognised for exceptional

Have you been nominated before but been unsuccessful?

Were you pleased that your hard work had been recognised but would like to know how you could be successful in future years? Unfortunately the number of awards that are able to be given out are limited for each of the areas across Corporate Services and it is impossible to award all nominees. However, if you have nominated yourself in the past and not been successful it is important to consider the following before submitting the application: • Ensure somebody else reads through your application prior to submission; there may be areas that do not read correctly or could be enhanced with further explanation.

• Have you included all of the details? Often people choose to leave things out that they see as insignificant, when actually a judge could see this very differently.

performance, whether that is your own or a colleague’s. It is important that hard work and going the extra mile is acknowledged throughout Corporate Services.

• What represents exceptional performance?

Contribution to the achievement of income or cost-related targets.

Contribution to the achievement of significant improvements in operational or service level agreement standards or operational efficiency.

Contribution to the achievement of significant improvements in levels of quality and customer/client satisfaction.

• Where do I find out more information?

To find out more about the Merit Awards process you can speak to your line manager, or visit the University Website www.exeter.ac.uk/staff/benefits/ rewardingperformance/meritawards/

And if you are still left confused please take a look at the following case study for a successful candidate to see what it takes to be awarded a Merit Award.

A successful candidate GH is responsible for managing and delivering a specialist service to members of the University. With the support of an Assistant, she is the sole professional and expert working in this area. The office is busy and maintains a high level of service from year to year. During the review period, there was an unexpected but significant increase in workload, concentrated over more than half of the year. GH had to respond to this peak in demand, often requiring compressed response times, without any increase in resources. GH successfully delivered a quality service in response to these demands, while maintaining the usual high quality service of the office throughout the year.

• Ask for help. This can be a colleague, family member or your line manager.

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our campus?

What’s living on

Apart from over 2,000 students that live within our many residences there lies a world of living creatures across the Streatham and St Luke’s campuses. Creatures that don’t need their bedrooms cleaning, or their meals cooking for them, but need a different kind of care that our Grounds and Sustainability teams from Corporate Services work to protect.

The campuses that we come to work on seven days a week are filled with an abundance and diversity of species who survive in the rich environment that surrounds us. On the Streatham Campus alone ecologists have identified 16 habitats which sustain a wide range of plants, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

At the latest Bioblitz event (October 2010), where staff, students and local experts came together to take a closer look at the types of things we have living on campus, they found over 250 different species of plant and animals in the plantation area alone (the wooded section between Laver and Amory). The most unusual find was a Snipe. This is a wading bird and has never been spotted on campus before. There were also sightings of the Western Conifer Seed Bug, which has appeared due to climate change in recent years, and the prettiest of them all was the Small Copper Butterfly. Karen Gallagher, Sustainability Manager for the University, commented: ‘The event was a huge success for us in 2010. Moving forwards our mission is to continue to enhance the biodiversity of all of our campuses and provide opportunities for staff and students to get involved. This is the purpose of our Birds and Bees campaign.’

As part of the Birds and Bees Project teams will be working with academic specialists at the University and Devon Wildlife trust to develop a programme of practical actions we can take to enhance biodiversity on our campuses. An ‘Otter Watch’ will also be carried out as grounds staff have received reports of sightings of these inquisitive, playful and intelligent mammals. If the team can find out more, it is possible that otters can be encouraged as regular visitors to the site. Iain Park, Director of Grounds, commented, ‘Our team do a fantastic job 365 days a year, and it is very rewarding to come across different types of species on a daily basis. Our remit will always be to protect our campus and create a relaxing and enjoyable environment for our staff, students and species!’

Is there something interesting that you have seen on campus, perhaps close to where you work? Do you work late at night or early in the morning? Have you worked at the University for many years and have seen new things over the past few years? Were there creatures that you used to see but you don’t see anymore?

Our Sustainability and Grounds teams would love to hear from you. Or perhaps you would like to get involved by volunteering your time to either of these areas, please contact them.

CONTACT Karen Gallagher Room 149 Queen’s Building Tel: 01392 725604 k.m.gallagher@exeter.ac.uk Iain Park Streatham Farm Tel: 01392 725531 grounds@exeter.ac.uk

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Biodiversity What are we doing already? t We preserve and enhance existing valuable habitats. t We identify specialist measures for vulnerable species e.g. protection around known badger sites. t We stimulate natural habitats by leaving ‘eco-strips’ near streams and woodland edges. t We ensure habitat piles are left in appropriate areas to provide sources of

“The University is

food, shelter and hibernation sites. t We arrange for bird and bat boxes to be erected at suitable locations throughout the campus and monitored annually. t We have planned planting schemes which

committed ‘to be responsible, sustainable and ethical, meeting the needs of the present and

use a variety of plants, trees and shrubs, with varying flowering times to encourage

leaving a better environment for

year-round wildlife activity. t We erect explanatory signs by valuable

future generations’.”

habitats. t We reduce the use of residual pesticides through use of bark mulch and natural predators. t We leave non-urgent tree felling works to be done outside the bird nesting season. t We have naturalised over 21,000 additional bulbs at locations such as Lopes, Ransom Pickard, Birks Bank and the entrance to the University at New North Road. This represents another source of early pollen for the bees.

M PROFILE

EA GROUNDS T

ose combined h w rs e n e rd ga 31 s almost 500 year s e h ac re ce n e experi nds to maintain u o gr f o s e ar ct e 150 h in rdens to mainta ga f o s e ar ct e h 100 in fields to mainta s rt o sp f o s e ar 31 hect s, new apprentice o tw r u o to e Welcom ra Keefe.

John Lee and Lau 7

SPOTLIGHT ON:

Nichola Stanbury

• AGE – 41 • OCCUPATION – HEAD CHEF AT REED HALL Nicky Stanbury has worked at the University for 18 years, from waitressing on the Paignton Steam Train to preparing some of the finest meals at Redcot. She has two wonderful children, who she adores, a team of four inspiring chefs to manage at Reed Hall, and is the only female Head Chef at the University.

In recent years Nicky has taken part in the Skills for Chefs programme; she is currently taking part in the pilot scheme for the new Purchase to Pay project; and for many years has helped

White’s Restaurant in Bristol. I really mustn’t forget my fabulous mum who makes the most delicious scones. I still pop around at the weekend to pick up tips!

to lead a team for the University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) competition which takes place annually. In the time she has left she cooks for the many customers at Reed Hall and Redcot which range from wedding receptions for 200 guests through to fine dining for VIPs visiting the University.

Q. How did you get to where you are today?

I have been with the University for 18 years. Prior to that I worked in a number of hotels as Breakfast Chef, Chef de Partie and Restaurant Manager. I began my career as a teenager working at Exeter Bus Station as a sandwich maker, before going on to Exeter College full time to train professionally in catering. I started working for the University in 1993, starting off in Devonshire House and then as the 2nd chef of Reed Hall before spending 11 years at the Crossmead Conference Centre, only to return to Reed Hall in 2006 as the Head Chef.

Q. Where did your passion for cooking come from?

I guess I have many people to thank along the way. Firstly my dad worked in the army catering corps, he was very successful and cooked on the Queen Mary for the Queen. My brother also took to the catering trade and has recently applied to Marco Pierre

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Q. Is it more difficult for women to get ahead in a kitchen/catering environment?

It is hard, but I feel it all comes down to your own personal determination to succeed. I have been fortunate in my career to have been given some great opportunities, however every step of the way I have had to prove myself. It’s a tough, stressful environment, and whether you are male or female you need the right attitude to succeed.

Q. What would be your top tip for anybody wanting to get into catering or to develop in their current role?

Always try your hardest. Don’t be afraid to say if you don’t like something. I’m someone who initially is quite daunted when new things come my way, but by taking everything in your stride it is never as scary as you first think!

Q. Who inspires you as a professional chef?

All professional chefs inspire me. Michel Roux stands out as one of the best, but also for me any chef that comes out with new trends and ideas is inspiring.

Skills for Chefs Programme This took place throughout 2010 and was aimed at Head and Second chefs. The programme helps chefs to develop their

“I am only as good as my team”

business management skills and look at aspects of catering from menu management to back-to-basics cooking. If you would like to develop your skills speak to your line manager or contact cstraining@exeter.ac.uk

Q. How has the Skills for Chefs Programme benefitted you?

It is always difficult for us chefs to take time out of the busy kitchen environment, but the Skills for Chefs programme has actually been very beneficial. The biggest thing for me was realising that I do not need to try and manage everything myself and, by delegating to my more-than-capable team, we have become even more successful. Not only am I performing better but my team is as well!

Q. What is your proudest moment?

Fancy trying some of Nicky’s fabulous food?

Reed Hall is open daily from 9am to 3pm for staff, students and visitors to enjoy hot and cold drinks and refreshments in either the bar or restaurant area. Receive a free hot drink with the voucher below.

Without doubt giving birth to my two beautiful children. Lewis is 12 and Riley is now 3 years old.

Q. And finally, what’s your favourite food!

ANYTHING! (Except raw celery!)

FREE HOT DRINK At Reed Hall on presentation of this voucher.

Offer available only at Reed Hall until 31 May 2011

Nick Denning and Nicky Stanbury at the annual pancake race in 1995.

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A word from

the students

• JONNIE BEDDALL • 2010/11 GUILD PRESIDENT

Jonnie Beddall is the 2010/11 Guild President and is responsible for the leadership and direction of the Students’ Guild, through his role as chair of the Student Forum and the Trustee Board. He also represents the view of Exeter students to the University and has managed to spare some time to tell us a little bit more about what he does and his thoughts for the future.

Q. What does your role as Guild President entail?

The role of Guild President is hugely varied. Essentially, it’s as big

Q. What’s the best thing about being a student at Exeter?

or small as you make it, depending on the priorities you take on.

People who choose to invest the best years of their life in

For example, this year my role has in many ways been defined

Exeter are the most outgoing people I’ve met. It’s being in this

by government cuts and higher tuition fees. I’ve had to steer

atmosphere, which is so intimate, that leads you to meet simply

the student body through this minefield and get them the best

brilliant people. I’ve been to universities across the country;

possible deal at the end of it. But my driving passions have been

nowhere has the same feel. On a personal level, I couldn’t have

harnessing the benefits of studying at Exeter for students and

got more out of Exeter. It’s not always the most obvious choice of

making extra-curricular opportunities far more accessible. I’m

where to study but, if you embrace it, the dividends will be high,

determined to tell a narrative of what it means to live and study

very high.

in the heart of Devon – in particular, we owe our international students a clear picture of what our unique Devon culture is about.

Q. How are you finding your role?

Honestly, I can’t imagine a tougher time to represent the student body. With the building works and fees debate dominating campus

The non-fee related costs of studying at Exeter are simply too

life like never before, our students have never had so much to

high. Accommodation is but one area which is significantly more

disrupt their University experience. But I know that, when we

expensive than our comparator group of universities. It is easy

get to the other side, we have a once-in-a-generation chance to

to argue for the increasing range of costs being transferred onto

give students real opportunities to seize life chances previously

the student body, but another thing entirely to justify it. This

not there. Also, I have to say that if you care deeply about

is contradictory to the rhetoric of improving access for lower

somewhere, as I do Exeter, you want nothing more than to be

socio-economic groups of current and potential students to the

in a position to steer change at the time of biggest risk. This is the

excellent student experience they pay for.

challenge, and I relish it.

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Q. Our aim as Corporate Services, which has over 800 staff, is to provide the best possible customer service to our students. If we could make one major improvement for you what would it be?

Corporate Services Staff Talk WEDNESDAY 20 APRIL Streatham Court A A chance to hear the latest update from Jeremy Lindley, Director of Finance and Deputy Registrar.

Good Friday FRIDAY 22 APRIL

From the Guild perspective, customer service

Easter Monday

has improved significantly. Dealing with Geoff

MONDAY 25 APRIL

Pringle (Director of Campus Services) has to student concerns, even in areas where

Recognising Excellence Awards ceremony (Finalists only)

compromises cannot always be made. This

THURSDAY 28 APRIL

professionalism is crucial to Corporate Services

Holland Hall

and these improvements need to continue

Good luck to all finalists across Corporate Services!

been nothing but efficient and accommodating

across the board.

Q. As we go into the new student fees environment, what do you think is going to be high on the list of priorities for our students?

Value. It’s very well charging a premium for high quality services, but it’s Corporate Services’ ability to roll out a comprehensive range of quality, affordable services which will determine whether the University does all it needs to do to make the student experience accessible to all, regardless of their ability to pay.

Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink FRIDAY 29 APRIL – SUNDAY 1 MAY Once again Event Exeter are proud to be sponsoring the Cookery Theatre at the Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink. This year the festival takes place over the April bank holiday weekend in the Courtyard of Exeter Castle and the surrounding Northernhay Gardens. With over 100 exhibitors showcasing top quality local food and drink, the festival is well worth a visit. There will be cookery demonstrations by our University Chefs, as well as TV Chefs, and don’t forget to visit the Event Exeter stand, next to the cookery theatre, to sample our Shortbread Confetti in honour of the Royal Wedding.

Royal Wedding FRIDAY 29 APRIL

Summer Term Begins/Bank Holiday MONDAY 2 MAY

Spring Bank Holiday MONDAY 30 MAY

Customer First Assessment MONDAY 6 JUNE – WEDNESDAY 8 JUNE

Summer Term Ends

dates for your diary

Q. Which element of Corporate Services have you been most impressed with?

A quick round up of forthcoming events

FRIDAY 17 JUNE

Graduation Week MONDAY 18 JULY – SATURDAY 23 JULY Celebrations for this year’s graduands

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Fruity Feeling Words can go horizontally, vertically and diagonally in all eight directions.

Words may overlap and share one or more letters.

juneberry kumquat lemon lime loquat lychee mandarin mango medlar

melon orange papaya pawpaw peach pear pineapple plum pomegranate

quince rowan salak strawberry tamarind tangerine

Name: Service:

Tel No:

We hope you have enjoyed the new-look Communicate. If you have any comments or items to be included in the next edition please contact Alison Blackler cscommunication@exeter.ac.uk Tel: 01392 726374.

The latest edition of Communicate can be viewed online at www.exeter.ac.uk/corporateservices

2011CORP 002

apple apricot banana cherry chokecherry grape grapefruit guava hawthorn

and finally!

Quiz

Complete the word search below and be in with a chance of winning £25 of Marks & Spencer’s vouchers. Send your completed word searches to Alison Blackler, Mardon Training Centre by Friday 20 May for a chance of winning. Good Luck.