Transcript Slide 1
The age of austerity, or the opportunity to govern more effectively? Steve Denton Pro-Director (Strategy and Organisation) and Institute Secretary, Institute of Education, University of London The age of austerity or the age of chaos? The age of austerity or the age of chaos? ......and is this all new? The age of austerity or the age of chaos? ......and is this all new? Hands up up if you remember the early ‘80’s Governance Is wider than just the governing body Council/Board Senate Academic Board Vice Chancellor Effective Governance? Enablers 1.Effective leadership and governing body dynamics 2. Effective governance structures and processes 3. Effective governing body membership 4. Commitment to vision, organisational culture and values 5. Effective performance monitoring and measurement 6. Effective information and communication (Schofield) Effective governance Outcomes 1. Ensuring that the strategic plan is achieved 2. Ensuring that financial health is achieved 3. Ensuring accountability and regulatory compliance 4. Ensuring quality in academic and service provision 5. Effectively assessing risk and supporting innovation 6. Enhancing institutional reputation and competitiveness 7. Providing confidence in institutional governance 8. Constructively supporting and challenging the executive A perfect storm? Setting the strategic direction; when a week is indeed a long time in politics Ensuring financial sustainability against a backdrop of; changing income streams reduction/Removal of T grant Unknown impact short to medium term-UG fees PGT “unknown” Overseas conundrum-Government barriers and risks Research, Consultancy and Knowledge transfer reductions in public funding for CKT activities A perfect storm? Pressure for REF success investment in/competition for talent Pay and pensions restrictions on public sector pay increases Efficiency squeeze “....there remains more to do...” ₁ Diamond; Modernisation and Efficiency TG The shared services imperative ₁ HE Funding letter 250112 A perfect storm? When Quality (inc student experience) is everything; how do you ensure that at “arms length” (Senate) Meeting the needs of multiple stakeholders; changing expectations Institutional autonomy in the future age of collaboration, competition, takeovers and mergers What will be the impact of the HEFCE super regulatorFinancial memorandum, CUC guide? Challenges for governance and governors Can our governance structures and processes keep up with the pace of change? Collegiality vs. speed of decision making? Can our tripartite governance systems continue in this new environment? What is the role of the Governing Body in determining the product and ensuring its quality? Noses in; fingers out? Measuring performance-what, when, how? Challenges for governance and governors Greater responsibilities; more accountability= more responsibility Wither Volunteerism? Size of Boards and their composition Recruiting the best; different expertise? What attributes will the governor of 2015 need to have? Clearer articulation of role and expectations Training and development Challenges for governance and governors The role of Chair? Executive Chairs? Vice-Chancellor-primus inter pares or chief executive? Four times a year may not do-Fleetness of foot vs. The traditional cycle It’s not just about meetings Quality and timeliness of information (Woolf) Independent advice? Why would you do it? A glimpse of the future? Current Strategic direction Financial sustainability Appoint the VC Monitoring institutional performance Charitable trustees; guardians Light touch reporting from Senate Institutional autonomy A future? The end of 5 year plans; compasses Profitability Faster turnover Managing intra institutional performance Board directors Protectors of the student interest; Quality is king Takeovers, mergers;subsidiarity Pity the poor Secretary Greater demands from Boards Greater demands from individual members Providing advice on new/complex issues “Piggy in the middle” Impact on Skills, experience; development Judgement of Job Carpe Diem! Revisit the enablers of effective governance Focus the governing body on the outcomes of effective governance The power of effectiveness reviews Reinforce that Governors govern, leaders lead, managers manage Recognise that things are moving at an unprecedented rate Have a frank discussion with the governing body about what they would like and how they operate; How often they meet Quality and timeliness of information Extent of communication Information sharing and decision making between meetings Support, development, briefings Recruiting new members Be very clear about what you want Be clear about expectations-role, time commitment Some final thoughts for us Remember that the Board is not just the lay members Transparency is vital-especially in difficult times The importance of the Holy Trinity Invest in yourself Use your networks!