Advance HE Clerks and Secretaries Network Event

Overview

This event is for a nationwide network of governance professionals, where Secretaries, Clerks, and governance staff come together to collaborate, share best practices, and exchange experiences regarding the central challenges they face in their roles and within their respective institutions.

As governing bodies and senior management teams rely on the expertise of professional staff, including Clerks and Secretaries, this event provides a valuable opportunity to collectively address the changes necessary to meet the evolving demands of the operating environment. Attendees will have the chance to explore the shifting policy and regulatory landscape that the sector faces, understanding its implications for the ongoing development of governance professionals' roles and requirements.

Moreover, this event serves as a platform for governance professionals in higher education to gain insights from the approaches and experiences of other institutions. Learn from lessons garnered in various sectors and explore how they can be adapted and applied within the unique context of higher education.

This is a standalone one-day event.

Join us at Advance HE Clerks and Secretaries Network Event

15 May 2024
Location: Leonardo Royal Hotel London City, 8-14 Cooper's Row, London EC3N 2BQ

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Who is the event for?

This event is designed to support and bring together Registrars, Clerks, Secretaries and governance professionals and will be of use to those with experience in university governance along with individuals just starting out on their career.

Agenda

10:00am Welcome & Introductions - Aaron Porter, Associate Director (Governance), Advance HE

10:20am General Election 2024 - HE Policy Environment - Josh Freeman, Policy Manager, HEPI

11:00am Learning from Board Reviews - Colette Fletcher, Head of Consulting and Governance, Advance HE

11:30am Break

11:45am Table Discussions - Designing Governance Fit for the Future

12:45pm Lunch

13:30pm Governance Developments Beyond Higher Education - Peter Swabey, Policy & Research Director, Chartered Governance Institute

14:15pm Lessons from an OfS Investigation - Deborah Johnston, Deputy Vice Chancellor, London South Bank University & Ramita Tejpal, Dean of Academic Quality & Policy, BPP University

15:00pm Close

Speakers

Aaron Porter

Associate Director (Governance)
,
Advance HE

Aaron leads on Advance HE governance activity through the delivery of our national Governor Development Programme which engages with around 900 governors across the UK on an annual basis. He has extensive experience leading reviews of over 25 governing boards. Aaron was previously President of the National Union of Students (NUS) and also chair of trustees for the organisation.

Josh Freeman

Policy Manager
,
Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)

Josh is Policy Manager at the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI). He was formerly a Maths and Politics Teacher. He recently completed a Masters in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Oxford. At HEPI, his research has covered a number of topics including the cost-of-living crisis, student debating unions and foundation years.

Dr Colette Fletcher

Head of Governance & Consulting
,
Advance HE

Colette joined Advance HE in May 2023. As the Head of Governance & Consulting, she is now responsible for leading Advance HE’s existing governance advisory portfolio and developing the wider consultancy business. She is passionate about advising and supporting senior leaders in UK HE on governance and other critical issues and supporting the boards of higher education providers to be as effective as possible.

Professor Deborah Johnston

Professor of Development Economics and DVC (Academic Framework)
,
London South Bank University

Prof Deborah Johnston is a professor of development economics and DVC (Academic Framework) at London South Bank University. Previously she was PVC Education-equivalent at SOAS University of London for four years.

Peter Swabey

Policy & Research Director at The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland

Peter Swabey is Policy & Research Director at The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland. Based in London, he is responsible for developing the profile of the Institute and the governance profession with members, regulators, policymakers, employers and other stakeholders by delivering thought leadership, lobbying campaigns and professional guidance promoting strong governance as the vital ingredient for success in organisations.

Associate Professor Ramita Tejpal

Dean of Academic Quality and Policy
,
BPP University

Associate Professor Ramita Tejpal is Dean of Academic Quality and Policy at BPP University. Ramita has significant experience across both the higher and further education sectors and has held advisory roles across the sectors on strategic, policy, and governance matters, additionally working closely with statutory and regulatory bodies as a reviewer and inspectorate.

Delivery

This event will be delivered in-person, with joining instructions sent out by the governance team two weeks before the day of the event.

Along with the joining instructions and links delegates will receive a copy of the programme, with finalised timings, topics, and speakers.

The event will be delivered as a day of presentations, discussions and panels, with ample time given to allow networking and interaction between attendees.

For any enquiries regarding the event please contact the Programmes and Events Team at:

governance@advance-he.ac.uk