Professional Services Staff Briefings

Professional Services Staff Briefings

Wednesday 6 July and Thursday 7 July 2016

Introduction

Andrew Young, Chief Operating Officer, made the introductions and welcomed PSS staff, commenting particularly on the excellent turn out.

Julia Black, Pro-Director for Research and Interim Director (from 1 Sept) - Wednesday 6 July

Julia will retain the Pro-Director Research role and take on the additional role of Interim Director from 1 September 2016 until a new Director is recruited and able to take up the post. The recruitment process is underway for both the new Chair and the new Director. Julia made it clear that she will not be applying for the Director role. Susan Liautaud, Vice Chair of Court and Council is running the recruitment process, this includes consulting widely with staff at all levels, thanks were extended to all those who have contributed. When we know more we will let you know.

The School Leadership Team (SLT) focus on the external environment - Brexit

The referendum vote is unsettling for the country and has shown big divisions of opinions. There are a range of views both internally and externally. We do know as an institution that this is not the result we wanted. LSE thrives on collaboration in research and is made up of international students and staff, with a high proportion of non-UK academic and professional services staff. LSE’s identity is cosmopolitan and diverse and built on the premises of equality, diversity and respect. Now is the time to press the values ever more strongly and to emphasise that LSE is a welcoming place for everyone. These differences are accepted and celebrated, they make us who we are.

Conversations are being held on how we manage ourselves and retain this core sense of who we are. The leadership team is well established and most individual members have been involved in the School as students, academics and/or managers for a long time and all hold the values of the LSE especially dear. The SLT will maintain and uphold these values and articulate them both internally and externally.

This is a time of huge uncertainty; we look forward to having a stable government. LSE is in contact with City Hall and the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, with the aim of keeping London on the agenda in order to protect the position of London and the London universities. London universities are a significant contributor to the economy and social capital of London.

LSE receives approximately £7 million a year from the EU for research and we will be looking to protect that base very strongly.

External discussions with regard to the TEF and REF still have to be managed. Julia has been speaking to BIS and is a Fellow of the British Academy and member of the Government’s REF Review panel, chaired by Lord Nick Stern. With respect to the Higher Education Bill, we understand this will go ahead and we will be engaging with MPs and members of the House of Lords as well as civil servants to ensure that academic independence for individuals and institutions is maintained, and on the more detailed technical aspects of the Bill and related guidance.

Internally, we will keep staff and students updated on changes in the political environment as they impact on LSE. LSE Brexit communication is centered on the LSE blog and associated resources, including updates from external organisations. When we have news we will tell you and where appropriate consult on appropriate forms of action.

The wave of anti-intellectualism linked to Brexit is worrying. LSE academics are convening to get together a programme of activities, student-related events and public lectures on Brexit-related issues, and we are engaging with Whitehall on the technical expertise we can offer to officials, as it is clear that they are desperately short of the technical skills and competence that LSE can offer. LSE will be continuing the work of European Institute’s Brexit blog to develop further informed and objective discussions on what the possibilities might be and what the future will look like.

The SLT has also been collecting a vision of what the impacts might be on LSE through risk analysis and modelling. We have been monitoring uptake of student places and the size of the intake is stable at present. We have a team of internal experts who are undertaking risk analysis and mapping of the effects of Brexit on courses, students and staff. We will think creatively about how we manage these risks.

We are not yet able to respond on all the risks and models, but colleagues in Planning, Research, Finance and the Directorate are working hard to clarify the potential consequences.

SLT - Update on Governance, DMT and the SLT

The SLT will be made up of Julia Black as Pro-Director for Research and interim Director, Paul Kelly as Pro-Director for Education, David Webb as Pro-Director for Planning and Resources and Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Webb as Acting School Secretary, Andrew Young as Chief Operating Officer and Eric Neumayer in the new role of Pro-Director Faculty Development (PDFD) which replaces the role of Provost. Eric has been the Vice Chair of Appointments Committee and will be heading up academic recruitment on the School’s behalf. The PDFD role will focus on the academic side of recruitment, retention, retirement and academic quality in addition to having explicit responsibility for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the Ethics Code.

The Staff Survey result showed a 22% approval score for the School’s leadership thereby identifying the need for a fundamental change in management of the School. This has been useful in clarifying emphasis for senior leaders. The SLT now have a Terms of Reference and have identified priorities for next year which will be shared shortly. The School strategy remains the same, with a new focus on communication and clarity.

Our priorities remain providing excellent teaching and research. We will be reviewing our entire education offer: what, how and where we do this, and ensuring our research is out there and making an impact.

Financial planning and robustness

Strategy and operations – thanks were extended to those divisions that have taken part in APRC reviews. The reviews will include follow up and further monitoring of progress against goals.

Joint working across PSS divisions will be undertaken and encouraged to achieve delivery of the strategy.

PSS leaders and SLT held an away day in early July to identify how to deliver the strategy and identify where there is overlap and each Service Leader has identified key priorities to deliver. Services will develop joint operational plans and joint KPIs to assist in achieving the common goals for the School. All staff are invited to think how you can work across divisions to achieve goals and deliver priorities to make life easier. We invented our processes and we can change our processes.

The results of the Staff Survey are taken very seriously by the SLT and Julia Black will chair the Staff Survey Steering Group and meet with key colleagues to set up programmes to deliver on the objectives and actions identified. The group will frequently report back on progress.

Alan Elias, Acting Chair of Council and Court - Thursday 7 July

Alan thanked PSS for inviting him to come and talk at the briefing. Alan has been ‘hanging’ around the school 40 years and is currently Acting Chair of Court and Council, although his personal relationship started with the School as an undergraduate, graduating in 1977 LLB.

Alan has worked in the City and is currently a commercial mediator, a chair of community health charity and Acting Chair of Court and Council. Alan has been a School Governor since 2005 and on Council since 2008. Alan became Vice Chair 2014 and Acting Chair in March this year when Paul Myners left the school unexpectedly. Alan has also been Chair of Audit Committee where he learnt a lot about the School.His previous career in the City advising on property and developments has certainly proved useful for campus development.

In broad terms, the Council is LSE’s governing body with legal responsibility for the institution. Since the School is both a company and a charity, Council is also the School’s Board of Company Directors and Board of Charity Trustees. As Acting Chair Alan is responsible for the leadership of the Council, which from August will be made up of 16 people in total with 11 women and five men. Eventually when a new Vice Chair is appointed the total will be 17.

Council appoints and holds the Director accountable for the management of the School. Council is a critical friend in looking at strategic priorities. It assists in setting priorities and managing and challenging progress. Council is responsible for ensuring the identification and management of strategic risks and ensuring the School is in good financial health by monitoring financial plans and major spending decisions. The committees that report to Council include Finance, Estates Strategy, Ethics Policy, Health and Safety and Remuneration. As Chair, Alan is the Director’s line manager and they meet regularly to discuss and review issues and to provide support and advice. There is a distinction between management and governance. The Director is concerned with management, Council does not get involved in day-to-day operations, and the Director delegates powers to those who report to them.

Alan also chairs Court, a body of up to 100 people, although currently has less than this. We have sought to make it more diverse. Court is made of members of the company with some limited powers providing a broad external perspective. Detailed questions on governance may be address to Andrew Webb Acting School Secretary.

EU Referendum Results

Brexit has been in the forefront of all our minds for last few weeks, Alan was an active remain campaigner but understands that not all of the School community will support this view. Alan encouraged all to stay positive and be confident that we will be OK. Email communications have been sent to all staff and students and the School’s leadership team is focused on considering the risks and impact, further updates will be made available. Reassurance has been given that there is no short term threat to staff and that fees will remain the same until 2017/8. The School is concerned to reassure that we continue to be welcoming and internationally-focused. Our global connections are vital to the strength of our research and education. International staff and students make us what we are today and we will fight to ensure there is always a place for them at LSE.

It is clear the government is struggling to make sense of the ramifications of the vote. LSE is able to offer world-leading contribution to the decision making as it progresses. There are a lot of unanswered questions for HE, but we will continue to advocate in favour of teaching excellence and research funding. Staff were encouraged to follow the LSE Brexit Blog which is linked to from Staff News and the website for information as the situation continues to develop.

SLT updates and priorities

Alan has every confidence in the SLT, formally DMT, and offered his assurance that we have a good team. Julia Black will be interim Director from 1 September, and the search continues for long term successor. At the same time the role of Provost ends, and a new Pro-Director for Faculty Development (PDFD), Eric Neumayer starts his tenure. Why make this change? The view of the School community is that it is more beneficial to have a flatter structure. The changes to the SLT clarify the authority and role for each member of the team. The PDFD will work with Heads of Departments and Institutes and formulate policy relating to academic staff in addition to specific Equity, Diversity and Inclusion matters, and the Ethics Code. Otherwise the SLT will continue with the current membership. The way of working will be different and more transparent and open and there will be published terms of reference to clarify SLT’s role: what should be referred to it, how it works and what it can decide. Regular communications will be shared in Staff News and your feedback is very welcome. These actions aim to address the low level of confidence in senior management shown in the Staff Survey.

The priorities for the year are:

To manage the internal and external environment –

• TEF
• REF
• Brexit
• Emphasising LSE’s core values and identity

Education –

• Implementing the Education strategy
• Reviewing our educational offer
• Makingthe changes necessary for the TEF

Research –

• Research Funding – diversification and improving success
• Interdisciplinary networks for teaching and research

Staff –

• Staff Survey – prioritisation and implementation of the action plan
• EDI initiatives and, in particular, addressing the gender pay gap
• Reviews of academic staff

Finance and planning –

• Ensuring robustness of the strategy and financial plan
• Improved integration of planning and finance and planning and estates
• Cash-based accounting for academic departments and underline the need for them to raise revenue

Strategy and operations –

• APRC reviews of departments and SLT reviews of Professional Service Divisions
• Systems development and process improvement
• One Administration

Role and challenges for Profession Service divisions – to see how divisional plans meet the strategy of LSE. Divisions can work together moving to one administration to improve effectiveness and develop KPIs. Getting the basics right.

Director’s recruitment

Alan noted that Julia has been clear at the previous day’s PSS Briefing that she will not be applying for the permanent Director’s role. Alan took the opportunity to make it clear that he will not be applying for the permanent Chair. The recruitment for the Director is led by Susan Liautaud and a recommendation will be made to Council. Alan extended thanks to all for their input and contributions to the process, further updates will be shared. The process is underway and going well.

The recruitment for the Chair of Court and Council is a Court appointment and is being led by Bronwyn Curtis. We hope to have appointed by the end of academic year and to have a new Director and Chair in post.

Overview of the Year

Despite the challenges this has been a very positive year, we have achieved a great deal. We are lucky to have a clear mission and clear set of values – ‘To create and share knowledge addressing major social challenges and to shape a better world’: these are the guiding principles behind our strategy. Our top priority is education; we are a world leader in social science education. The student experience is at the heart of the School and this is demonstrated by the delivery of LSE LIFE. LSE LIFE will be based on the ground floor of the Library and will be the academic, personal and professional development centre for undergraduates and taught master’s students which launches in September.

Campus developments continue and are developing a true campus around Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Construction on the Centre Buildings will start by end of the year. Apologies to all those who have been disturbed by the construction works. Although it has not been perfect, we have had few complaints and the development when completed will be amazing. Thanks also to those who voted regarding the development at 44 Lincolns Inn.

The Staff Survey Action Plan is available on the staff pages of the web, the leadership team will prioritise the activities in the action plan and assign roles and responsibilities. The results of the survey have been taken very seriously by SLT, Council and personally by Alan. There is a huge commitment to enable real change.

We look forward to the milestone of the delivery of the new website and thank everyone for their hard work in making this happen. Migration will take place over the next few months.

Finally, a huge thank you was extended on behalf of Council and Court for all the hard work from Professional Services Staff.

Joy Whyte, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 July

Please find presentation attached.

The EDI Taskforce was established September 2015 for a two year term and has been making good progress on this key strategic objective.

There has been lots of activity around students, but the presentation focusses on staff.

Report it, Stop it

The anti-bullying and anti-harassment campaign has been launched to be clear that the School’s message is that we do not tolerate harassment and bullying. LSE’s inclusive working and social environment is all of our responsibility and it’s vital we encourage, support and behave appropriately to one another.