Introduction to HE for Professional Services Staff

This is a joint event and open to members of AUDE, BUFDG, HESPA and UHR - please click on the appropriate ticket when booking your place - please choose one ticket only.

Programme Aim

This is a one day development event aimed at all professional services staff within their first year of working in HE, who need to grasp the complexities and political environment of HE, and the implications for operating and influencing effectively.  

The event will run from 10.30am - 2.30pm.  This page will be updated as the speakers are confirmed.

10.30am An overview of UK Higher Education 

Differences and similarities with other sectors; HE governance, funding, sustainability; the different structures seen in ‘pre and ‘post’ 1992 HEPs; charitable status; accounting and public body status; competition and collaboration; freedom of action and constraints

David O'Hara - Principal Associate - Professional Support Lawyer, Education - Eversheds Sutherland

11.30-11.45am Break

11.45am What are the current challenges facing the sector and how is the sector working to address them? 

A horizon scan of the current challenges HE is facing now and in the next 5 years. 

Eran Kochlany - Chief Operating and Financial Officer - Solent University

12.45 - 13.30  Break

13.30 - 14:30  The culture of the sector and the skills required to navigate it 

This session will explore some of the skills needed to operate effectively within HE, including building relationships, offering reasoned argument and how Professional Service staff can support operational strategy in an academically challenging and intellectually rigorous environment.  

We welcome a Director from HR, Estates, Strategic Planning and Finance.  They will share their personal journey, what they wish they’d known, the challenges and top tips. 

Speaker Panel:

AUDE - Paul Davis - Deputy Director of Estates & Facilities (Development) - Birmingham City University

BUFDG - Rachel Elias-Lee - Chief Financial Officer - University of South Wales

HESPA - Hulda Sveinsdottir - Director of Planning - University of Aberdeen

UHR - Gordon Scott - Chief People Officer - University of Strathclyde

 Who should attend? This programme is open to all professional services staff.  If you wish to enquire about the suitability of the programme for yourself or a colleague, please contact naomi@uhr.ac.uk , rachel@bufdg.ac.uk , corinne@aude.ac.uk or monica@hespa.ac.uk 

Please note, in order to book a place on this event you will need an AUDE, UHR, HESPA or BUFDG website user account.  If you do not yet have an account, your options are:

UHR

Please click here to register for an account.

BUFDG

Please click here to register for an account.

AUDE

Please click here to register for an account.

HESPA

Please click here to register for an account.

To be sure of a place, early booking is recommended.