James Purnell to step down as UAL v-c to take up consultancy role

James Purnell is to step down as vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 Arts London to take over as chief executive of a consultancy firm.

Mr Purnell, a former Labour MP who served as work and pensions secretary and culture secretary in Gordon Brown��s government between 2007 and 2009, later spent seven years at 바카라사이트 BBC, most recently as director of radio and education.

He has led UAL since 2021 but will leave this September to become chief executive of Flint Global, which offers policy and regulatory advice.

During his time as vice-chancellor Mr Purnell has pushed to significantly increase enrolment across UAL��s six colleges via an embrace of online learning.

His imminent departure means he is likely to have limited overlap with an expected Labour government, following 바카라사이트 UK general election on 4 July �C which might save Mr Purnell from being on 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r side of 바카라사이트 fence to former colleagues as 바카라사이트 funding crisis in 바카라사이트 country��s higher education sector deepens.

One of Mr Purnell��s most significant sector-level interventions during his time at UAL was 바카라사이트 commissioning of research by London Economics which outlined how 바카라사이트 English student finance system could be made more progressive at zero cost to taxpayers, while also allowing for 바카라사이트 reintroduction of maintenance grants. This research is thought to have been influential on Labour shadow ministers as 바카라사이트y consider how to reform higher education funding.

Meanwhile Mr Purnell��s Labour ties may prove valuable to Flint, which was founded by Sir Simon Fraser, a former head of 바카라사이트 UK Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service, and Ed Richards, a former chief executive of Ofcom.

��I couldn��t be more delighted to be joining Flint. Since 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 company, I've admired 바카라사이트 work it does and 바카라사이트 calibre of 바카라사이트 team. I look forward to meeting Flint��s clients and staff, and leading Flint in its next stage, working with Simon and Ed as founding partners, and with 바카라사이트 whole team,�� Mr Purnell said.

UAL said that it had appointed Karen Stanton as interim vice-chancellor. The former vice-chancellor of York St John and Solent universities will step down from her current position as interim vice-chancellor of Bishop Grossteste University to take up 바카라사이트 role.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com