Show/Hide navigation
University of Reading

Announcement: Changes to the University Executive Board from 1 January 2017

Thursday, 09 June 2016

Changes to UEB from 1 January 2017

Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell has announced changes to the University Executive Board (UEB) to take effect from 1 January 2017.

  • David Savage, Chief Operating Officer (COO), will step down from his role and UEB on 31 December 2016. He will move to a new role as Director of Special Projects from January 2017 to 1 October 2017, reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor. In the 2017-18 academic year, he will work on a part-time basis in the same role and then retire on 31 July 2018. The new role will lead on important work including land and property projects – which will be confirmed in due course.
  • The role of the COO will no longer exist, and the line management of Directors currently under David’s leadership will transfer to individual UEB members from 1 January 2017 (see below).
  • The new Director of Finance will become a full member of UEB from 1 January 2017, reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor and will be responsible for finance and procurement. This follows the retirement of current Director, Carol Wright, on 31 December 2016, which was announced last month. Legal Services and Research & Enterprise Services, now managed by the Director of Finance, will report directly to UEB members (see below).

The changes announced today will not affect the day-to-day work of individual staff members in each central professional services. All functions will continue to be led, as now, by their current Director and senior management team.

Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell, said: 

“I am confident that these are appropriate leadership arrangements for the University as we move into full implementation of the new post-PAS operating models from August 2016 onwards. 

“The University is in an increasingly strong position - not least because of our ability to recruit more and higher-performing students, invest heavily in world-class research, expand our academic base and build international recruitment and partnerships overseas. In addition, we hope to confirm the final details of our £200m capital programme in the next few weeks”.

“During his 17 years of service, David Savage has led the partnership with UPP, which has led to a £275m investment in halls accommodation. His management of surplus University land disposals, both past and present, has given us significant resources for capital investment across our campuses. He has worked hard to put the University’s finances on a more stable position through the Efficiency and Effectiveness programme”.

Listed below are the new line management arrangements for professional service Directors to take effect on 1 January 2017:

Professor Steve Mithen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation):

  • Research and Enterprise Services (this transfers from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services) 

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic Planning and Resource):

  • Human Resources 
  • Estates and Facilities 
  • Information Technology 

Vincenzo Raimo, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement): 

  • University of Reading Malaysia 
  • Marketing, Communications and Engagement 
  • Campaigns and Supporter Engagement 

Professor Gavin Brooks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning): 

  • Student and Applicant Services 
  • Technical Services 

Dr Richard Messer, University Secretary and Chief Strategy Officer: 

  • Legal Services (this transfers from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services) 

To note:

  1. The Director of Finance (to be recruited) will be a full member of UEB from 1 January 2017.
  2. The Director of Business Incubation and Knowledge Transfer will report directly to the Director of Special Projects from 1 January 2017 to 31 July 2018.
  3. The Dean of Henley Business School continues to report directly to the Vice-Chancellor.