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Overseeing the implementation of our Strategy
L to R: Claire Partridge, Paula Higgins, Doug Allen, Laura Stevens, Chris Martin, Helen Everest
Southampton Connects Staff investigates how the 10-Year plan is being delivered and looks at the new management approval structure – or governance – which has been put in place to ensure the competing demands for investment and resources are prioritised appropriately.
At his All-Staff Address on 2 June, President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Christopher Snowden spoke about the ‘Simply better’ strategy and the 10-Year Plan. He said: “We now have the strategy, the plan and the cash. The time for talking is over, and we need to deliver on what we have mapped out for our future.”
The new 10-Year Plan University Executive Board (10-YP UEB) is central to the governance structure and is accountable for the successful delivery of the 10-Year Plan in alignment with the ‘Simply better’ strategy. The 10-YP UEB meet on a monthly basis.
Accountable to the 10-YP UEB are the work streams each of which has its own governance. These governance groups will provide direction, oversight and delivery of the change relating to their specific areas.
| Work Stream | Lead | 10-Year Plan Governance |
|---|---|---|
| Academic | Professor William Powrie. Dean of Engineering and the Environment. 10-Year Plan Executive Lead | Academic Group |
| Professional Services | Ian Dunn. Chief Operating Officer | Professional Services Leadership Group |
| People | Anne-Marie Ciarleglio. Interim Executive Director, Human Resources | People Group |
| Finance | Sarah Pook. Executive Director, Finance and Planning | Finance Group |
| Estates | Kevin Monaghan. Director of Estates and Facilities | Capital Programme Board |
| Systems, Information and Processes | Professor Simon Cox. Chief Information Officer | University Systems Board |
| Education | Professor Alex Neill. Vice-President (Education) | Education Strategy Executive Group |
| International | Professor Colin Grant. Vice-President (International) | International Executive Group |
| Research | Professor Mark Spearing. Vice-President (Research and Enterprise) | Research Executive Group |
| Communication and Engagement | Shaun Williams. Executive Director Engagement and Advancement | Professional Services Leadership Group |
The student experience forms part of many of the work streams. How we ensure the work joins up effectively is currently being developed with Jane Savidge – Interim Executive Director, Student Experience.
We all have a part to play in delivering the 10-Year Plan. During his address, Sir Christopher encouraged all staff at the University to take personal responsibility for identifying better ways of doing our jobs and changing processes for the better. Where these changes can be managed locally within existing departmental budgets and resources, we should take them forward.
There will also be initiatives driven at a faculty or departmental level as part of their business plans which have been developed to deliver to the ‘Simply better’ strategy and 10-Year Plan.
Where initiatives require additional investment, cross-departmental resources and/or have a significant impact on our business, they will be referred to the 10-YP UEB for a decision. If approved, these projects would form part of the 10-Year Plan portfolio.
The 10-Year Plan portfolio also includes the large University-led capital developments, such as the construction and IT transformation programmes, the scope and detailed plans for which are currently being developed.
Bringing together all of the University investment initiatives in to one holistic portfolio in this way enables the appropriate oversight and decision-making required to deliver our plans.
The University has put in place a Change Portfolio Office to support the 10-YP UEB with the governance, co-ordination and management of the portfolio. The team (pictured), headed by Helen Everest, can help with questions about the portfolio and the governance processes. If you have any questions please email the team – 10yrplan@soton.ac.uk.