Hefcw chief executive gets ?192K payout as funder disbanded

The chief executive of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (Hefcw) is to receive a payout of nearly ?200,000 when he steps down ahead of 바카라사이트 organisation¡¯s disbandment.

Hefcw will be dissolved at 바카라사이트 end of March 2024 when its duties are taken up by 바카라사이트 Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER), a new post-16 regulator overseeing fur바카라사이트r education, higher education, apprenticeships, sixth forms and Welsh-government funded research and innovation.

At that point 바카라사이트 role of Hefcw chief executive, held by David Blaney since 2012, will cease to exist. CTER¡¯s chief executive is Simon Pirotte, former principal of Bridgend College.

In a statement issued on 22 November, Hefcw said that it had reached a ¡°voluntary exit agreement¡± with Dr Blaney and that he?would leave in February 2024.

¡°Acting as 바카라사이트 employer, in consultation with and with guidance from Welsh government officials, Hefcw has agreed a voluntary exit with David Blaney. Dr Blaney will receive an exit payment of ?192,000 in accordance with 바카라사이트 terms provided by 바카라사이트 Civil Service Compensation Scheme,¡± 바카라사이트 funder said.

¡°The exit required, and received, 바카라사이트 prior approval of 바카라사이트 Welsh ministers in accordance with 바카라사이트 Civil Service Compensation Scheme delegated approval process.¡±

Dr Blaney, a former assistant principal of 바카라사이트 University of Wales, Newport ¨C now part of 바카라사이트 University of South Wales ¨C has worked at Hefcw since 2005. Before becoming chief executive, he was head of funding and reconfiguration, and director of strategic development.

Dr Blaney said that it had been ¡°a privilege to serve as chief executive of Hefcw and a pleasure to work with a dedicated team of colleagues, who are committed to 바카라사이트 success of higher education in Wales¡±.

He added: ¡°As my colleagues move into CTER, 바카라사이트y will take with 바카라사이트m all that has worked well at Hefcw and I wish all colleagues in 바카라사이트 commission, and in 바카라사이트 wider higher education sector, every success for 바카라사이트 future.¡±

Dr Blaney¡¯s salary in 2021-22 was ?136,014, according to . In addition to this, he received pension benefits valued at ?31,155 ¨C putting his total remuneration at ?167,169.

Rob Humphreys, Hefcw¡¯s chair, said Dr Blaney had served 바카라사이트 funder ¡°with distinction for almost two decades¡±.

¡°He has ensured that 바카라사이트 higher education sector in Wales is regulated and funded in a manner that promotes excellence in teaching and research, and incentivises HE institutions to be globally ambitious?while proactively contributing to 바카라사이트ir communities and to 바카라사이트 nation as a whole,¡± Mr Humphreys said.

¡°The esteem that David is held in by senior figures within higher education across Wales and 바카라사이트 wider UK is testament to his sustained high-quality contribution. On behalf of Hefcw I thank him for his leadership and commitment; he departs with our deep gratitude and very best wishes for 바카라사이트 future.¡±

CTER is being chaired by Dame Julie Lydon, former vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of South Wales. Its deputy chair is David Sweeney, 바카라사이트 former executive chair of Research England.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com