Advance HE, the new sector agency to be formed from the merger of the Equality Challenge Unit, Higher Education Academy and the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, is announced today – Wednesday 21 March after the three agencies signed the documentation to effect the merger.
Alison Johns, Advance HE’s chief executive, said, “I am delighted that Advance HE is now part of the higher education landscape. The new agency offers a fantastic opportunity to draw on the strengths of the merging organisations to work really effectively in an ever-closer partnership with the sector. We have an important role to support institutions through our mission to advance practice and improve outcomes for the benefit of students, staff and society. The whole team is highly motivated and excited to take up this challenge.
“In the immediate future, our focus is the on-going sector-wide consultation which will help to inform and shape our offer and structure for the new academic year. I’m really encouraged by the engagement we’ve had in this process to date. We are determined to listen to the voices that represent and reflect the rich diversity of missions in the sector.”
Nigel Carrington, vice-chancellor of the University of the Arts London and chair of Advance HE’s board, said, “The launch of Advance HE means that we can now look to the future - to a sustainable and valued proposition for the sector, drawing on the strength of all three of the merging agencies. I’m confident that we are stronger together, with a more rounded and complete offer, providing greater agility and flexibly in meeting the current and future needs of the sector.”
In May, Advance HE will provide a transitional membership offer for the academic year 2018-19. A comprehensively revised and enhanced value proposition, to include a membership model and services, will be launched for 2019-20 after a separate consultation in autumn 2018.
Concurrent to this work, the Equality Challenge Unit, Higher Education Academy and the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education are committed to delivering their business plans for the current year.