Leadership Update
Date
July 2012
This is the latest in a series of regular briefings containing University-wide updates.
Briefer
This briefing contains a summary of high-level, key messages to support you with your faceto-face communications with your direct reports.
Ideally, it should be communicated face-to-face to your direct reports by the end of the
month – not circulated by email – and should provide an opportunity for your colleagues to
give you feedback on the content.
It need not be presented verbatim. Please summarise where appropriate and deliver in a
way you are most comfortable with to ensure that messages are authentic.
Please add your own content, which is relevant to your support division, college, school, or
area of expertise.
Briefing
guidance
The briefing should enable your direct reports to brief their own people on some of the
issues facing the University.
Please encourage your direct line reports to add more localised information which should
still be delivered face-to-face at each stage of the cascade.
Allow at least an hour for the sharing of information and feedback.
1. Graduation
2. Clearing campaign 2012
3. Merging the Schools of Art & Design and Media, Music & Performance
4. Changes in senior management
Highlights
this month
5. Review of student number planning
6. Reminder to check Blackboard 9.1 modules
7. MediaCityUK event review
8. Nominations for Alumni Achievement Awards
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
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Our
mission
Salford is an enterprising University which transforms individuals and communities through
excellent teaching, research, innovation and engagement.
Our vision
The University of Salford will be, by 2017, an outstanding University renowned for the quality of
its engagement, humanity, global reach and leadership in research, innovation and education.
Our values
We espouse and promote the following values and behaviours:
Our six
goals and
owners
Our four
themes and
leads
Why we
need these
briefings

The highest academic, professional and ethical standards

Service to our stakeholders, clients and partners and, in particular, putting our students
first

Supporting our people and recognising and rewarding excellence and leadership

Working together for the advancement of the University

Innovation, creativity, enterprise, courage

Diversity, humanity, fairness and respect

Pride in our heritage and the distinctive difference we make to the world

Investing passion in all that we do.

Goal 1 – Transforming learning and teaching: Huw Morris

Goal 2 – Transforming research and innovation: Jim Yip

Goal 3 – Transforming engagement: Keith Barnes

Goal 4 – Our people: Keith Watkinson

Goal 5 – Transforming infrastructure and services: Adrian Graves

Goal 6 – Internationalising our University: Brian Longhurst

Built and Human Environment: Mike Kagioglou

Energy: Nigel Mellors

Health and Wellbeing: Eileen Fairhurst

Media, Digital Technology and the Creative Economy: Brian Longhurst

The University acknowledges the need to keep its people informed. Our employees
perform better when they are involved and when they have an open and honest
dialogue with their leaders.

Involvement creates good will and employees are prepared to go the “extra mile”. One
of the targets for our People Goal 4 is to increase the number of staff engaged to at
least 45 per cent by 2012 – placing us in the top quartile of UK organisations.

This briefing will help support you in addressing the issues above and will supplement
our US staff magazine, as well as US Online and the Staff Channel.
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1. Graduation
Graduation took place this month with 15 ceremonies between Tuesday 17 July and Friday 20
July as 9,000 students graduated.
The ceremonies were held at The Lowry, Salford Quays. In addition to the students from each
of the 10 Schools, some special guests attended the ceremonies to receive their own honorary
degrees.
Honorary graduates included iconic musician and former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr;
legendary bookmaker, Fred Done; Chief Executive of UK Construction Services at Balfour
Beatty, Mike Peasland; University of Salford former member of Council, Chris Wells; eminent
Mauritian academic, Dr Michael Atchia; and renowned academic and former Pro ViceChancellor of the University, Professor Peter Brandon OBE.
More than 100 colleagues volunteered to help with Graduation this year, making it a very
special occasion.
2. Clearing campaign 2012
The University’s Clearing campaign began on 1 July 2012 and the Student Information
Directorate (SID) Clearing team is actively promoting the opportunities available with a highprofile marketing campaign featuring a sofa incorporating the University logo.
Since 1 July, all Clearing calls received have been passed through to individual tutors in the
relevant Schools for offers to be made. The official Clearing event will open on Wednesday, 8
August, but most calls are expected during the peak period between Thursday 16 August and
Sunday 19 August.
There will be a ‘mission control room’ in Peel Building between 16 and 22 August, which will be
staffed by the SID Conversion Team and a minimum of two admissions tutors from each
School. It will provide close contact with other support services and a reception point to
welcome ‘walk-in’ applicants. Other highlights include extended hotline opening hours,
additional telephone lines and computers in the Clearing centre and a digital, outdoor and radio
advertising campaign.
Students and members of staff will act as Clearing Ambassadors in key Schools and Colleges
on 16 August, providing advice, guidance and direct access to admissions teams. Campus and
accommodation visits will also be available between Thursday 16 and Sunday 19 August.
Any colleagues who receive Clearing enquiries from 8 August should direct the caller to the
dedicated phone line – 0161 295 5553 – or transfer them to ext 55553. To get involved in
Clearing, or for more information, contact Joanna Haran at j.r.haran@salford.ac.uk or ext
56249.
3. Merging the Schools of Art & Design and Media, Music & Performance
From 1 September 2012, the Schools of Art & Design and Media, Music & Performance will
combine to form a new school under the leadership of Professor Allan Walker.
The new School will both match the current provision of the two existing schools and exceed
their combined contributions through the benefits of new and integrated ways of working. The
merger, which reflects current teaching and learning consolidation best practice, offers
significant opportunities including those encompassed by the MediaCityUK project, and the
Gateway Project (the new Arts Building development) which jointly represent two of the most
significant investments by the University. Together they will act as catalysts to facilitate
enhanced working across these fields and the extension of our already established reputation
in these areas both nationally and internationally.
Allan, in close and extensive consultation with senior academic and professional staff, will
immediately embark on a process of determining the vision, mission, objectives and academic
operation of the new School. Colleagues in the two Schools are encouraged to play a part in
these consultations over the coming weeks.
Professor Erik Knudsen will, as planned, stand down as Acting Head of Media, Music &
Performance on 31st August, 2012. Erik has played an outstanding role in leading his School
through a period of successful and essential change and will continue to support Allan through
this transitionary period.
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4. Changes in senior management
David Reeve, a highly practiced Chartered Accountant with over 25 years of private and public
sector experience has joined the University as Interim Director of Finance. Stephen Avery
finished his time in the role this month following Council’s approval of both the budget and the
financial plans. David will oversee these until a permanent appointment is made at the end of
the calendar year.
Philip Hopwood decided to step down from his role as Director of Planning and Performance
from 13 July to pursue a career as a management consultant. During his four years at the
University, Phil took a leading role in the development of the University’s Strategic Plan. As an
interim arrangement, Phil’s team will now report to John Forshaw as Acting Director of
Planning and Performance until further notice.
Stuart Sephton of the Student Information Directorate has been appointed Head of Registry at
the Royal Northern College of Music, a promoted post he will transition to next month. This is a
prestigious appointment for Stuart who has, amongst his many contributions to the work of the
University, played a decisive leadership role in our Transformation Programme.
Liz Bromley, Director of Student Life, has now finished at the University to take up her new
role as Registrar and Secretary for Goldsmiths College, London – a promotion which reflects
well on Salford as an institution that supports and develops talented individuals. Claire
MacLean is now leading as interim Director of Student Life having been Associate Director
Careers and Employability for the last three years and having deputised for Liz in the past.
Cynthia Pine steps down as Dean of the College of Health & Social Care, retaining her
position as Pro Vice-Chancellor until she retires from the University on 31 December this
year. She will work with the VC on key strategic directions in health, social care and related
issues. Sue Braid became Acting Dean of Health & Social Care from 1 July and Kay Hack
becomes Acting Head of the School of Health Sciences. Karen Kniveton takes on the role of
Acting Associate Dean Academic, Health & Social Care, in addition to her role of Associate
Dean International in the College.
Brian Longhurst takes over the role of PVC International from Cynthia Pine. Brian also
becomes Trustee of NCUK: an organisation that works with global partners to deliver
programmes which prepare international students for study outside their home country. Huw
Morris becomes Interim Chair of the Academic Programmes and Partnership Committee of
Senate until 31 December this year.
The Library has also recently made three new appointments as it begins to develop and
implement its new customer focused Library Strategy under the leadership of University
Librarian, Julie Berry. Salford graduate David Clay begins his new role as Associate University
Librarian (Learning and Research Support) on 3 September. James Anthony-Edwards joins
the University on 13 August as Associate University Librarian (Library Services). Lynne Leader
and Joanna Wilson have been appointed to the new shared-role of Head of Library Business
Planning and Quality. Neil Donohue will leave his post as temporary Academic Support
Manager in early September to take up a new role at the University of Leicester as Learning
and Teaching Services Manager.
5. Review of student number planning
Following consultation with stakeholders, the responsibility for the development, coordination
and management of student number planning and its integration into our financial planning
processes will change.
Whereas this currently occurs in its various guises in Planning and Performance and the
Student Information Directorate, it makes operational sense to concentrate this important
function in one area.
For this reason, Scott Mulholland will now have responsibility for the management of student
data overall and will work closely with the College Registrars and the Finance Division to further
refine and improve these processes.
It is hoped an announcement can be made soon about the scope and scheduling of a full and
consultative review of planning, data compliance, institutional research and the monitoring and
review of organisational performance, which will report to the Executive in September.
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6. Reminder to check Blackboard 9.1 modules
The upgrade to Blackboard 9.1 is progressing on schedule and all modules are now available
via http://blackboard.salford.ac.uk.
All module leaders are being asked to check that they have access to the modules they need
and to notify Mat Holden if there are any issues. Module leaders will then be able to add
colleagues who teach on the programme or wait until a ‘claiming site’ goes live in August.
Colleagues are asked to be aware that modules on the new Blackboard 9.1 will be unavailable
between 30 July and 14 August, as part of the upgrading works, so colleagues should check
their modules outside these times.
The majority of Academic colleagues have now completed their face-to-face training.
Colleagues and are now asked to complete an Online Declaration, which is available via the
Course Menu in the Blackboard Training module.
Colleagues requiring any additional support can access a dedicated helpdesk by contacting the
Elevate support team on ext 52444 and choosing option 5.
Drop-in surgeries offering face-to-face support are also being held every Tuesday from 9.00 to
11.00 and Wednesday from 13.00 to 15.00 hours in Newton B04b.
If there are any questions about any aspect of the training or difficulties accessing any of the
materials, colleagues should email hr-hrdenquiries@salford.ac.uk.
7. MediaCityUK event review
On 24 July, senior leaders came together for a showcase event to reinforce the vision for the
University at MediaCityUK by highlighting the current achievements, future opportunities and
benefits of our move.
Taking place ten months after the opening of our facility at MediaCityUK, colleagues shared
their ground-breaking initiatives across teaching, research and commercial activity which
demonstrated the advantages of trans-disciplinary working.
The event also showed senior colleagues how our Schools are maximising the potential of our
presence at MediaCityUK through strategic partnerships with international industry leaders
including the BBC, Adobe, Avid and MediaSmiths.
Further events and communications over the coming months will demonstrate the
achievements at MediaCityUK and the University’s commitment to scale up the excellent work
for the next academic year.
8. Nominations for Alumni Achievement Awards
Colleagues are encouraged to nominate alumni for the University’s first Alumni Achievement
Awards by 31 August 2012.
The Alumni Achievement Awards will recognise just some of the many thousands of students
who have gone on to make a real impact in a diverse range of areas and fields. Some of them
are successful in business or industry, some in entertainment and the arts, others in health or
science or other disciplines and many are contributing to the current life of the University.
These new annual awards will recognise anyone who has studied at Salford who has achieved
distinction in any field. The University is also searching for alumni from the University of
Salford’s predecessor institutions including Salford Technical Institute; Royal Technical
Institute, Salford; Royal Technical College, Salford; Royal College of Advanced Technology;
Peel Park Technical College; Salford Technical Institute; Salford College of Technology; and
University College, Salford.
An alumnus or alumna can be nominated for these awards by anyone – a friend, former
lecturer, or even by themselves.
To make a nomination, please email Anita Irving on a.irving@salford.ac.uk by 31 August 2012
for this year’s awards.
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College/
Divisional
communications
Include any relevant information relating to your College or Professional Services Division here:
School/
Department/
Section
communications
Include any relevant information relating to your School or Professional Services Unit/Section
here:
Record of notes
and feedback
from briefing
session:
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