De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester has strengthened its
senior management team with four new appointments to its Executive
Board.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard, who joined the
university in June 2010, said: "We are delighted to announce such
high calibre appointments. Together they bring an exceptional range
of skills, experience and knowledge to the strategic management
team to lead the university through the challenges ahead.
"It is an unprecedented time of change in higher education,
particularly following recent announcements about funding. But
there are opportunities for the taking with a strong leadership
that can deliver the creative, robust management that DMU needs to
realise our mission and vision for success."
Dr Claire Baines joined DMU this month as chief operating
officer, Professor David Wilson has been appointed deputy
vice-chancellor, Professor Heidi Macpherson took up her new post of
pro vice-chancellor for research and innovation in January 2011,
and Professor Andy Downton will start his post as pro
vice-chancellor for learning and teaching in May.
In addition to producing a leaner, fitter executive structure,
more aligned with the university's strategic goals, the
restructured board represents a cost reduction of £200,000 by
not replacing two vacant roles.
The Executive Board will focus on aligning its strategic
management with the university's new mission to be a university of
quality and distinctiveness. DMU will be distinguished by
life-changing research, dynamic international partnerships, with
vibrant links with business and commitment to excellence in
learning, teaching and the student experience.
The chief operating officer post is a newly-created position at
DMU. It is a key role on the Executive Board to provide strategic
leadership and future direction and ensure delivery of efficient
and effective central functions. Dr Claire Baines will work closely
with the vice-chancellor in delivering success.
Dr Baines said: "The era of change that we are all experiencing
in higher education necessitates that De Montfort University's
mission and vision are carefully and effectively delivered in the
months and years ahead. DMU is in an excellent position to
cement its reputation within creative and professional education in
the UK, and my role in leading the professional services will be
fundamental to ensuring our high quality and distinctive student
learning experiences, and to realising our research ambitions."
In addition to his new responsibilities, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(DVC) Professor David Wilson will remain Dean of the Faculty of
Business and Law, a position he has held at DMU for the last eight
years.
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Wilson said: "The post
of deputy vice-chancellor offers an exciting opportunity to move
beyond faculty level and play a pivotal role in developing and
realising the new strategy, vision and values of this innovative
university. The DVC post involves supporting and representing the
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard in carrying out his
duties both within and external to DMU."
Professor Macpherson joined DMU in 2007 as Dean of Humanities.
Her new role as pro vice-chancellor for research and innovation is
crucial to DMU's vision to be a university that places research
excellence and innovation at the heart of its mission. Professor
Macpherson will lead the strategy to generate increased research
and commercial income, which has become essential in these
challenging financial times.
Professor Macpherson's plans include introducing a professoriate
forum for the discussion and exchange of best practice and
exploration and exploitation of cross-disciplinary developments, as
well as mentoring for early and mid-career staff. The role is
essential to energise the professoriate and encourage investment in
people and training, and will significantly contribute to DMU's
ongoing success in research and innovation.
New PVC for learning and teaching Professor Andy Downton joins
DMU from the University of Essex, where he is currently pro
vice-chancellor for learning and teaching and pro vice-chancellor
for humanities. He will provide overall leadership in the
development and delivery of DMU's strategy in learning and
teaching, with a particular focus on student learning, assessment,
progression, achievement, satisfaction and support.
There are huge opportunities at De Montfort University for
Professor Downton to build on the unique creativity and cultural
agendas which the institution has already established across a wide
range of vocational disciplines.