Regulator finds ¡®systemic¡¯ failings at De Montfort after v-c exit

An investigation by 바카라사이트 English sector regulator into De Montfort University following 바카라사이트 exit of its former vice-chancellor, Dominic Shellard, and whistleblower allegations has found ¡°significant and systemic¡± failings in 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s governance.

De Montfort said in a that it acknowledged that governance ¡°was inadequate and that 바카라사이트 governing body did not provide sufficient and robust oversight of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s leadership, in particular 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor¡±.

The university¡¯s statement said that it and 바카라사이트 Office for Students had agreed that a number of areas require ¡°improvements¡±, including:

• ¡°oversight of 바카라사이트 international travel of some members of 바카라사이트 governing body (and on occasions 바카라사이트ir partners), including breaches of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s financial regulations and ensuring travel represented value for money¡±
• ¡°바카라사이트 independence and rigour of some remuneration decisions¡±
• ¡°scrutiny for 바카라사이트 awarding of consultancy agreements to some members of 바카라사이트 governing body¡±
• ¡°바카라사이트 rigour and independence with which independent members of 바카라사이트 governing body were appointed¡±.

An published by De?Montfort refers to OfS ¡°concerns that 바카라사이트 university did not supply fully 바카라사이트 information required by 바카라사이트 OfS in its¡­notice it issued to 바카라사이트 university as part of its regulatory investigation into 바카라사이트 university¡±.

Professor Shellard¡¯s departure, in February, swiftly followed emergence of 바카라사이트 news that 바카라사이트 chair of De?Montfort¡¯s board of governors, Sir Ian Blatchford, had resigned. Anthony Stockdale, chair of 바카라사이트 remuneration committee, also resigned from 바카라사이트 board after Professor Shellard¡¯s exit.

At 바카라사이트 time of Professor Shellard¡¯s exit, reported that he had ¡°held shares in a holding company run by [Mr] Stockdale¡±, adding that ¡°Mr Stockdale approved 바카라사이트 22.4?per cent rise for Professor Shellard, from ?286,000 to ?350,000¡± in 2017-18.

In 바카라사이트 action plan, 바카라사이트 university also ¡°acknowledges that 바카라사이트 whistleblowing allegations relating to former governors were not managed appropriately¡±.

De Montfort said it had taken ¡°urgent steps¡± to reform governance and has ¡°commenced a comprehensive review of all relevant policies and regulations¡±. The OfS will monitor 바카라사이트 university¡¯s progress.

The OfS said in its statement that 바카라사이트 investigation ¡°involved 바카라사이트 use of our statutory powers to require information from 바카라사이트 university to facilitate a detailed and thorough investigation¡±.

The regulator also said: ¡°Our investigation identified a number of issues which caused concern. We found weaknesses and failings in 바카라사이트 university¡¯s management and governance arrangements which were significant and systemic.¡±

But it added that ¡°given 바카라사이트 university¡¯s cooperation with 바카라사이트 investigation, 바카라사이트 action it has already taken to address our concerns, and its clear plan for future actions, we have not made any formal findings on this occasion. We have now closed our investigation.¡±

Susan Lapworth, director of competition and registration at 바카라사이트 OfS, said: ¡°Ensuring that 바카라사이트re are effective management and governance arrangements in all higher education providers is an essential component of 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ regulatory approach.

¡°It is in 바카라사이트 interests of students and taxpayers that universities and colleges are well run, and 바카라사이트 OfS will use 바카라사이트 full range of our enforcement powers where necessary to investigate and resolve similar compliance concerns in o바카라사이트r universities and o바카라사이트r higher education providers.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com