Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark E. Smith has been appointed as Chair of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA). He succeeds Professor Sir Paul Curran who has held the position for the past five years.
Commenting on his new position, Mark said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of UCEA at this time of such significant change and challenge for all involved with UK higher education. There will undoubtedly be considerable sector uncertainty in the next few years with challenges faced in the period before ‘Brexit’. I look forward to helping UCEA navigate these challenges on behalf of its 170 members and to working constructively with the HE trade unions on both pay and non-pay issues.”
Helen Fairfoul, Chief Executive of UCEA added: “We are delighted that Professor Smith has been elected as UCEA’s new Chair. His experience from positions at a number of institutions and knowledge of employment issues will be much valued in leading the UCEA Board and guiding UCEA’s work on behalf of its members during the coming period. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to UCEA’s outgoing Chair, Professor Sir Paul Curran, who has chaired UCEA with such dedication and success for five years. His excellent leadership has helped guide the sector employers through tough times and always demonstrated his dedication to the sector and its workforce.”
UCEA’s Board has also welcomed four new members in recent months. Jerry Cope, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors at London South Bank University, Professor Stuart Corbridge the Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, Professor Graham Baldwin the Vice-Chancellor of Southampton Solent University and Dr Frances Dow, Chair of Court at Queen Margaret University Edinburgh.