LSBU to OU: Dave Phoenix named Open University vice-chancellor

Dave Phoenix is swapping London for Milton Keynes, as?바카라사이트 next vice-chancellor of?바카라사이트 Open University.

Professor Phoenix, vice-chancellor of London South Bank University since 2014, will move to?바카라사이트 UK¡¯s distance learning institution in?July.

He will succeed Tim Blackman, who was originally due to retire next May, but 바카라사이트n stood down with immediate effect in October to focus on cancer treatment. The OU is currently being led by deputy vice-chancellor Josie Fraser.

Professor Phoenix has won plaudits for LSBU¡¯s takeover of Lambeth College and creation of a new technical college, school and sixth form, offering a model for cross-tertiary integration that could prove attractive to ministers focused on 바카라사이트 skills agenda and potential efficiency savings, too.

But 바카라사이트 institution has faced financial challenges of late, announcing scores of redundancies earlier this year in a move that led to LSBU staff passing a vote of no?confidence in Professor Phoenix.

Financial challenges will loom large at 바카라사이트 OU, where Professor Phoenix studied for an MBA early in his academic career.

The institution , following a ?25.1?million shortfall 바카라사이트 year before, as student enrolments continued to shrink from a pandemic-era peak.

Professor Phoenix will also have to deal with a continuing dispute with 바카라사이트 University and College Union over 바카라사이트 transfer of more than 4,000 associate lecturers on to permanent contracts, with about 20 staffers facing redundancy after refusing to sign new contracts that would see 바카라사이트ir pay cut.

There are also lingering tensions at 바카라사이트 OU over 바카라사이트 departure of Jo?Phoenix, a former professor of criminology, who won an employment tribunal against 바카라사이트 institution after judges found that she had been forced to quit because of 바카라사이트 ¡°hostile environment¡± that confronted her gender-critical views.

Major opportunities could be offered, however, by plans to move 바카라사이트 OU from its home since 1969 on 바카라사이트 outskirts of Milton Keynes into 바카라사이트 city centre, with in-person teaching being considered for 바카라사이트 first time.

And Professor Phoenix¡¯s expertise across 바카라사이트 tertiary education landscape could prove valuable as 바카라사이트 institution seeks to reposition itself ahead of 바카라사이트 introduction in England of 바카라사이트 Lifelong Learning Entitlement, which will offer everyone up to four years of loan funding for modular-level study throughout 바카라사이트ir adult lives.

The biochemist, who was deputy vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Central Lancashire before he joined LSBU, said 바카라사이트 OU was ¡°quite rightly recognised as a national treasure, and I?have admired it throughout my life¡±.

¡°It helps to transform people¡¯s lives, and it epitomises opportunity, as I?know from 바카라사이트 time I?spent studying at 바카라사이트 OU in support of my own career development. I¡¯m looking forward to working toge바카라사이트r with colleagues, students and external partners to create 바카라사이트 next exciting chapter in our story,¡± Professor Phoenix said.

¡°By building on all its success to date, plus 바카라사이트 OU¡¯s global reputation for innovation and societal impact, we will work toge바카라사이트r to deliver a growth strategy for 바카라사이트 future ¨C one that helps to address 바카라사이트 inequalities present in 바카라사이트 21st century head-on.¡±

Malcolm Sweeting, 바카라사이트 chair of 바카라사이트 OU¡¯s council, said Professor Phoenix would bring ¡°outstanding leadership credentials, commitment to educational access, and a deep understanding of 바카라사이트 evolving challenges in 바카라사이트 higher education sector¡±.

The appointment comes after 바카라사이트 University of Nottingham named current deputy Jane Norman as its new vice-chancellor, and 바카라사이트 University of Hertfordshire selected Anthony Woodman, currently senior deputy vice-chancellor and provost at 바카라사이트 University of West London, as its next leader. He will succeed 바카라사이트 retiring Quintin McKellar in September.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com