In partnership with the Health Sciences University, Advance HE has published the third in its series of reports examining university mergers, offering valuable lessons from the transformation that brought together AECC University College, Bournemouth and the University College of Osteopathy, London to create Health Sciences University.
The report, 'Insights from the Health Sciences University Merger', captures the experiences and perspectives of key stakeholders across both legacy institutions during the critical period from the decision to merge through to day one of the legal merger. It highlights how clear-sighted governance, empathetic leadership and staff willingness to embrace change were fundamental to the merger's success.
Among the key factors that ensured success were the preparedness of both governing bodies to challenge executive teams, hold leaders to account and maintain active ownership of strategy. The report also emphasises the values-led approach adopted by senior leaders in managing change, and the important role students played in building bridges between the two merging institutions.
The report acknowledges that while the merger was strategically necessary and carefully planned, it also represented a significant cultural shift for both institutions. The insights gathered attempt to reflect not only the operational steps taken but also the emotional and professional impact on those involved.
Professor Lesley Haig, Vice-Chancellor of HSU, commented: “Through the dedication and hard work of those across both institutions, the merger of AECC University College and the University College of Osteopathy - now Health Sciences University - has successfully united two distinct communities, while preserving their individual strengths and laying a strong foundation for the future.
“The merger was never a last-resort option, but a proactive and evidence-based response to a changing sector, grounded in honest dialogue, robust information and a shared understanding of our strategic objectives.
“This report captures the essence of what made our merger successful, and we are pleased to see these experiences and insights shared for the benefit of the wider sector.”
Kim Ansell, Advance HE's Senior Consultant for Governance, said: "This merger journey demonstrates that successful transformation requires more than just robust processes and careful planning. It demands exceptional governance, with boards willing to be proactive and challenging, combined with leadership that truly understands the human dimension of change.
“What stands out in the Health Sciences University story is how all stakeholders recognised that a successful merger would require significant time, resources and emotional investment from everyone involved."
The report concludes that getting to ‘day one’ of merger requires a robust and wide-ranging evaluation of strategic options, careful decision-making across all themes, and the creation of a clear and compelling vision that all stakeholders can contribute to, regardless of whether they will have a future role in the new organisation.
It also stresses the importance of building contingency into planning to accommodate inevitable delays, the need for excellent project management support, financial expertise across the governing body and executive team, and expert legal advice from partners experienced in merger work.
While a merger will not be right for all organisations, many of the insights in this report will be relevant to other types of strategic transformation, with strategic, legal, administrative and emotional complexity likely to be part of any undertaking leading to major organisational change.
The report 'Insights from the Health Sciences University Merger' is available to download from the Advance HE website.
This report was co-produced by Advance HE and Health Sciences University, with qualitative and quantitative data gathered independently by the Advance HE team from a range of stakeholders. It was written by Dr David Ashton, Advance HE Associate, with support from Kim Ansell, Senior Consultant Governance and Transformation.
This is the third report in Advance HE's series examining university mergers. The series began with insights from the City St George's, University of London merger, followed by the recent report on the Anglia Ruskin University and Writtle University College merger, which highlighted the importance of agile governance, visible leadership and mature change management in successful higher education transformation.
Health Sciences University
Health Sciences University (HSU), based in both Bournemouth and Central London, offers a wide range of subjects that make a positive contribution to the health of society, including allied health, sport and exercise, rehabilitation and social science disciplines.
By working with health care providers and health care systems, HSU provides the best training possible to meet society’s future needs. As a specialist health sciences institution, it provides the next generation of health professionals for our health services, upskills our current workforce, improves and advances our world through research, all to improve public and population health.
Its mission is to create a healthier society through education, research and clinical care. For more information please visit hsu.ac.uk