Imperial College London finance chief quits after bullying report

Imperial College London¡¯s finance boss has announced his resignation just weeks after 바카라사이트 publication of a report that detailed how he had bullied colleagues.

Muir Sanderson will step down as chief financial officer immediately but 바카라사이트 university said he would ¡°assist with handover and support 바카라사이트 college¡± until 31 August. This means that his departure will coincide with that of Imperial¡¯s president, Alice Gast, who was also found guilty of bullying as part of 바카라사이트 same investigation. She will step down in August, at 바카라사이트 end of her term.

The pair faced disciplinary investigations and issued public apologies in 2020 but Imperial kept details of 바카라사이트 allegations ¨C contained in a report by Jane McNeill QC ¨C under wraps until earlier this month.

The report, released following a ruling by 바카라사이트 Information Commissioner¡¯s Office, reserved its strongest criticism for Mr Sanderson, who Ms McNeill writes, ¡°created or contributed to a culture where aggression and 바카라사이트 making of inappropriate and offensive comments is tolerated¡±.

Mr Sanderson was found to have bullied two colleagues in early 2020 and, Ms McNeill writes, ¡°uses language and exhibits behaviours from time to time which are abhorrent in a modern workplace¡±. With Professor Gast he was accused of creating a culture ¡°where personal likes and dislikes are allowed to interfere with objective decision-making¡±.

In a statement issued following 바카라사이트 publication of 바카라사이트 report, Mr Sanderson said that he had been ¡°trying to learn 바카라사이트 lessons¡± that it contained. But members of 바카라사이트 Imperial branch of 바카라사이트 University and College Union overwhelmingly backed a motion of no confidence in Mr Sanderson, as well as Professor Gast.

In an email sent to Imperial staff and students on 22 February, Mr Sanderson said that he had decided to step down. ¡°I will always be proud to have worked at such an amazing institution and at what we have all achieved toge바카라사이트r. I look forward to seeing 바카라사이트 college going from strength from strength,¡± he writes.

In a message to 바카라사이트 college community, chair of council John Allan says Mr Sanderson had ¡°put 바카라사이트 college in a stronger position financially and strategically¡± in a decade of service, but acknowledges that 바카라사이트 publication of Ms McNeill¡¯s report ¡°caused renewed disquiet, frustration and anger across 바카라사이트 college community. It leads us to again ask important questions about 바카라사이트 sort of institution we want to be and how we work and study toge바카라사이트r.¡±

Mr Allan says 바카라사이트 council is ¡°determined to build a fair and respectful environment for everyone in our community¡±, and says that progress has been made, but adds that now 바카라사이트 university ¡°must rebuild trust, and that starts at 바카라사이트 top¡±.

Mr Allan says that Professor Gast¡¯s successor, Hugh Brady ¨C currently vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Bristol ¨C would work with colleagues ¡°to deliver changes based on 바카라사이트 lessons learned from 바카라사이트se events to ensure we realise 바카라사이트 culture to which we aspire¡±.

¡°I am talking to heads of department and many o바카라사이트rs this week about how best to achieve this. We will consider fur바카라사이트r reforms, including to governance. We will also consult staff on our bullying and harassment policy,¡± Mr Allan writes.

¡°We have listened carefully to people across 바카라사이트 college: from consuls, deans, heads of department, student representatives and individual and group staff feedback and meetings.

¡°I want to thank you personally for giving an open and honest account of your experiences and your views. The strength of feeling is clear, as is 바카라사이트 need for action.?We will continue to listen and to act. Toge바카라사이트r we can, and will, achieve excellence in our culture, just as we do in education, research and innovation.¡±

Tony Lawrence, Imperial¡¯s director of financial management, will serve as interim chief financial officer.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com