BUFDG : British Universities Finance Directors Group

This is a joint event and open to members of AUDE, BUFDG, HESPA, UHR, CHEIA, AULP and CUBO - please click on the appropriate ticket when booking your place - please choose one ticket only.

Programme Aim

This is a one day development event 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.

The event will run from 10.30am - 2.30pm.

PROGRAMME:

10.30 - 11:30 An overview of UK Higher Education

Differences and similarities with other sectors; HE governance, funding, sustainability; the different structures seen in ‘pre and ‘post’ 1992 HEPs; charitable status; accounting and public body status; competition and collaboration; freedom of action and constraints

Speakers: Robert Gray, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, Charlotte Tanikal, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland and Nathan Lucas, Principal Associate, Eversheds Sutherland

11.30 - 11.45 Refreshment Break

11.45 - 12:45 What are the current challenges facing the sector and how is the sector working to address them?

A horizon scan of the current challenges HE is facing now and in the next 5 years.

Speaker: Becky Bradshaw, Deputy Vice Chancellor & Chief Operating Officer, University of Northampton

12.45 - 13.30 Refreshment Break

13.30 - 14.30 The culture of the sector and the skills required to navigate it

This session will explore some of the skills needed to operate effectively within HE, including building relationships, offering reasoned argument and how Professional Service staff can support operational strategy in an academically challenging and intellectually rigorous environment.

We welcome a Director from HR, Estates, Strategic Planning and Finance. They will share their personal journey, what they wish they’d known, the challenges and top tips.

Speaker Panel:

UHR: Charles Marson, Head of HR, University College London

HESPA: Melanie Rimmer, Director of Strategic Planning and Insight, Cardiff University

AUDE: Morag Beers, Director of Estates and Facilities, University of Aberdeen

BUFDG: Matthew Graham, Director of Finance, Queen’s University Belfast

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 naomi@uhr.ac.uk , rachel@bufdg.ac.uk , corinne@aude.ac.uk , monica@hespa.ac.uk, sarah@cubo.ac.uk, claire@phes.ac.uk (for CHEIA/AULP)