Advance HE welcomes the opportunity to submit a formal response to the CUC (Committee of University Chairs) review of the Code of Higher Education Governance, strongly supporting the initiative while calling for enhanced mechanisms to test and evidence governance effectiveness across the sector.
The response, informed by extensive consultation with governance experts and drawing on insights from over 75 governance effectiveness reviews, emphasises the importance of maintaining a principles-based approach while strengthening expectations around key areas including academic assurance, board diversity and stakeholder engagement.
Central to Advance HE's submission is the recommendation that institutions should conduct externally facilitated effectiveness reviews at least every three years, alongside robust internal appraisal processes. Advance HE has also called for the development of a collaborative, sector-wide knowledge bank of good practice to support governing bodies.
The response highlights several critical areas for development, including the need for governing bodies to strengthen their confidence in academic assurance matters, improve diversity across all governor categories, and enhance their understanding of both internal and external stakeholders. Advance HE has also emphasised the importance of accessible, high-quality training and development for all governors, noting concerning data showing decreased participation in training programmes as sector finances face pressure.
Alistair Jarvis, Advance HE’s Chief Executive, said: "The review of the Code provides a vital opportunity to ensure governance keeps pace with the rapidly evolving higher education landscape. Our response is rooted in two decades of sector experience and reflects the collective insights of governance professionals across the UK. We're calling for a Code that not only sets clear expectations but provides the tools, resources and collaborative framework needed to support governing bodies in meeting those expectations. We're committed to working with CUC and sector partners to strengthen the governance infrastructure that underpins institutional success."
Advance HE, a member of the CUC Code Review steering group, has submitted two major pieces of research to support the review: 'The Big Conversation: Shaping the Future of Higher Education Governance' summative report and a thematic analysis of governance benchmark survey data.
Advance HE’s extensive governance portfolio includes conducting over 75 effectiveness reviews since 2018, supporting approximately 700 governors, senior executives and governance professionals annually through its Governance Development Programme, and running the sector's only dedicated Governance Conference. Recent initiatives include work on academic assurance in partnership with CUC, UUK and GuildHE, the Board Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit, and collaborative projects addressing contemporary challenges such as integrated reporting and the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act.
Advance HE has emphasised the power of collaboration across sector bodies and looks forward to continuing its contribution to developing governance enablers, behaviours and culture that provide assurance of effective governance to institutions across the diverse higher education landscape.