Introduction to HE for Professional Services Staff

Wednesday 14th November - London

Programme Aim

This event is 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.  

This event focuses on the HE operating environment affecting HR practice, the culture of the sector and the skills required to be effective; it will include input from HR and Estates Directors as well as provide delegates with networking opportunities.

By the end of the HE for professional services programme you will be able to:

• Understand how HE operates (e.g. funding, culture, legal framework, influences, key issues)
• Build useful networks with colleagues
• Operate effectively within the culture of HE

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 corinne@aude.ac.uk 

The Cost

Free - the cost of the half day programme, including lunch and refreshments is fully funded by AUDE & UHR as part of its commitment to provide high quality, affordable and relevant continuing professional development for all service professionals in the sector.

Programme 

10.15 – 10.30 am          Registration, refreshments & networking

10.30 – 10.45 am          Welcome & Introduction by Helen Scott, Executive Director, UHR

SESSION 1      

10.45 am – 11.45   An overview of UK Higher Education

This overview of how UK HE operates will touch on the differences and similarities of other sectors; HE governance, funding, sustainability; the different culture and structure seen in ‘pre and ‘post’ 1992 HEIs; charitable status; accounting and public body status; competition and collaboration; freedom of action and constraints; procurement; acronyms; and types of qualifications.  There will be a brief horizon scan, and a round-up of key challenges facing HE now and over the next five years, including the implications of Brexit.

Speakers: Jane Sadgrove COO Cardiff, and Bettina Rigg solicitor/HE lead partner at VWV and former Governor at Exeter

SESSION 2

11.45 – 12.20 pm   The culture of the sector and the skills required to operate effectively within it (PART 1)

This session will explore some of the skills needed to operate effectively within HE, including persuasion versus coercion; building relationships; offering reasoned argument; the hare versus the tortoise …. and how Professional Service Staff can evaluate and introduce new theories, practices and trends to support organisational strategy in an academically challenging and intellectually rigorous environment. This will focus on broad professional skills needed.

Speaker: Jane Sadgrove COO Cardiff

Lunch and networking: 12.20 – 13.00

SESSION 3

13.00 - 14.00 Question Time: ‘Grill an Estates Director’ 

This is an opportunity for delegates to pose any remaining questions about operating effectively within the HE sector to a Director of Estates. AUDE's Executive Director Jane White will also be on the panel for delegates to ask any questions about AUDE. 

Speakers: Matthew Brewster, Director of Estates, London Metropolitan University and Jane White, Executive Director AUDE

14.00 – 14.10 – Summary & close