University shortlisted for two Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards

Thursday, 18 April 2013

University staff and families celebrate the launch of our 35% campaign

Congratulations to the University's Procurement and Estates teams who have both been shortlisted for prestigious awards which recognise the quality of their work and their contribution to the success of the University.

The two teams have been shortlisted for undertaking particularly outstanding major projects in the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2013.

Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell, said: "The successful delivery of these major University projects is down to the work of many staff, working together across our University for a common goal."

Outstanding Procurement Team

The outstanding Procurement Team at the University has been shortlisted for their leadership of the strategic, institution-wide project to transfer the University's accommodation stock and future accommodation development requirements to a private sector partner. 

In this unique project, the University of Reading became the first HE institution to transfer its entire student accommodation portfolio to a private sector partner, allowing the University to free up its capacity to invest in research and teaching facilities. The resulting contract, awarded ultimately to UPP, has delivered the largest single University private sector residential investment in the UK, worth around £250 million to the University.

Lisa Jeffries, Head of Procurement, said: "In such a high profile and complex procurement process, communication with a multitude of internal and external stakeholders was vital. The Procurement Team worked closely with colleagues across the University on a daily basis to ensure that we achieved the best result for the University."

Outstanding Estates Team

The University's Estates and Facilities team has been shortlisted for their leadership and strategic vision for the University's Carbon Management Plan. The Plan set an ambitious target of reducing carbon emissions by 35% by 2015/16 and the University is already halfway to delivering on this target with a reduction in electricity usage of 12.6% and natural gas by 26%. The carbon reduction of 11,137 tCO2 in the first 18 months of the project created financial savings of almost £4 million.

Colin Robbins, Director of Estates and Facilities, said; "The Estates Team have shown real leadership in ensuring the whole University community contributes to delivering a sustainable future."

Sir David Bell added; "I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has played a part in our carbon reduction scheme and halls transfer project and to offer particular congratulations to those colleagues who, through their project leadership, have been specifically recognised through these awards."

The shortlist was formally announced in the 18 April edition of the Times Higher Education magazine. The winner will be revealed at an awards ceremony in London on 20 June 2013.