The University of Buckingham – where governance excellence supports our legacy

In January 2023, The University of Buckingham commissioned a detailed Governance Effectiveness Review as part of our commitment to good policy practice and quality improvement.

We appointed The Halpin Partnership (Halpin), an independent, specialist Higher Education consultancy, who commenced a thorough assessment of the effectiveness of Council and the University’s wider governance frameworks in May 2023.

During the review process, Halpin conducted detailed interviews and discussions with representatives from the Students’ Union, members of staff and all members of Council as well as undertaking observations of the University’s key governance bodies.

The final Halpin report, available below, shows their findings and recommendations for the further work required to improve the University’s governance.

Council met in October to discuss Halpin’s report, and has appointed a Steering Group of members to oversee and guide the implementation of the resultant action plan.

Chair of Council, Mark Qualter, said: “I welcome the outcome of this review, which is a very fair and honest assessment of where governance at this University currently sits. I would like to thank the Halpin team for the constructive way in which they have approached this review and my fellow Council members and colleagues across the University for the openness with which they embraced the process.

“While the findings of this review recognise the upward trajectory of our governance, it contains a detailed list of improvements that must be given full consideration. These recommendations should not be viewed as a criticism, but as an opportunity to address – once and for all – issues that, in some cases, contributed to the difficulties in our recent past. The robust governance frameworks we will put in place will be the foundation on which this University can further build and grow.

“We recognise that we are on a journey of improvement, and I believe that many significant steps have already been taken to move our governance toward a position of best practice. Clearly, there is much further work to do, but I hope that everyone at the University can support, and where possible, contribute to our aim to become an exemplar for ‘best in class’ governance in the sector.

The Vice-Chancellor, James Tooley added: “The actions put forward by Halpin to further transform our governance will be a key focus for us going forward. Following the approval of our Strategic Plan, this report marks another important moment in the University’s recent history which will enable us to move forward confidently as a community, and deliver on our ambitions.”

Further updates will be provided via Council to our University community as developments to transform the University’s governance are made.

As part of the University’s contract with Halpin, a review of progress will be conducted in September 2024, ahead of a further full independent Governance Effectiveness Review in the autumn of 2026 in accordance with the timescales set out in the Committee of University Chairs’ Higher Education Code of Governance.

Read The Halpin Governance Effectiveness Review: The University of Buckingham

If you have any enquiries regarding governance at The University of Buckingham, please contact our Secretary of Council: samuel.weston@buckingham.ac.uk