Governance and management

Since the introduction of the faculty structure in 2008-09, we've made significant progress in improving and devolving strategic planning and decision making, whilst increasing the transparency of management information.

Faculties and supporting governance structures have strengthened communication between the Vice-Chancellor's executive board and colleagues across the institution. Closer working between Professional Services and faculties, and a new approach to resource allocation, has improved accountability for performance. This will continue.

Our priorities for governance will build on this foundation over the period 2010–2015 and will:

• Further enhance the effectiveness of governance through a review of Council and its committees.
• Continually improve our approach to identification and management of risk, to enable effective and robust decision making.
• Ensure our service functions continually improve and demonstrate value for money, informed by regular benchmarking of external best practice.
• Adopt new ways of working in order to reduce complexity and simplify key processes which support the management and governance of the University.
• Ensure sufficient funds are available so that strategic investments can be made and we can respond effectively to external opportunities.
• Contribute to sector-wide debates about Higher Education to help improve the overall sector and learn from others' best practice.
• Monitor progress against our strategy, and ensure planning and investment decisions are taken in line with our overall strategy and values and a robust evidence base.

For more detail, and information about specific actions relating to this area, please see Planning and Governance Services (PGS).