The third Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards come at a time of uncertainty and huge challenges for the sector. The work of professional staff will be in the spotlight like never before, and examples of best practice that can be applied more widely will be more valuable than ever.
It is fitting that the winner of this year’s top award has already faced and overcome what could have been total disaster. In September 2007, the government decided to remove funding from students taking an equivalent or lower-level qualification (ELQ). The move dealt a devastating blow to Birkbeck, University of London. But the institution’s leadership and management team picked itself up, dusted itself off and implemented a successful strategic review. To make up for the loss in ELQ cash, they refocused their offering which resulted in a 38 per cent rise in student recruitment. Of course we congratulate all our very worthy winners, and I would like to thank our experienced and enthusiastic judges who took their role seriously and performed it with professionalism and aplomb.
The winners:
ICT Initiative of the Year
Sponsored by Smart Technologies
Winner:
University of Huddersfield
Outstanding Library Team
Sponsored by Demco
Winner:
Newcastle University
Outstanding Procurement Team
Sponsored by Office Depot
Winner:
University of the West of England
Outstanding University Fundraising Team
Winner:
University of Bath
Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team
Sponsored by Campus Life
Winner:
University of Nottingham
Outstanding Human Resources Team
Winner:
Aston University
Outstanding Finance Team
Sponsored by Travelex Global Business Payments Limited
Winner:
University of Bedfordshire
Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year
Winner:
Aston University
Outstanding Research Management Team
Winner:
University of Northampton
Outstanding Student Services Team
Sponsored by Campus Living Villages
Winner:
City University London
Outstanding Student Admissions Team
Sponsored by UCAS
Winner:
University of Warwick
Outstanding International Strategy
Sponsored by i-graduate
Winner:
Birmingham City University
Outstanding Departmental Administration Team
Winner:
University of Greenwich
Outstanding Registry Team
Winner:
University of Derby
Outstanding Estates Team
Sponsored by Mills & Reeve
Winner:
Newcastle University
Outstanding Leadership and Management Team
Sponsored by The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education
Winner:
Birkbeck, University of London
The winners were announced at the gala Awards dinner on June 16 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London. Congratulations to all.