GuildHE

Networks

How GuildHE members benefit from our networks and special interest groups

Our networks and special interest groups (SIGs) offer a space for our members’ academic and professional services staff to connect, build a community of practice, and share experiences. We also keep them informed about relevant policy developments, promote best practices, and value their input on GuildHE’s policy agenda. Each network and SIG has a group email for all staff to instantly communicate with each other, and for GuildHE to share policy updates, draft consultation responses and members mailings. Our networks are grouped in four categories:

Operations, Regulation and Governance
Student Experience
Growth, Skills and Innovation
Special Interest Groups

Networks meet at least twice a year online, and we offer at least one opportunity for a face-to-face meeting each academic year. Our events often include guest speakers attending meetings from across the sector including regulators, sector bodies and charities. Our SIGs also convene meetings where required. After any group meeting we will circulate notes, presentations and other relevant materials.

Chairs will be nominated by members of each network (and some SIGs) to help GuildHE staff shape agendas and lead discussions. Chairs will also be asked to contribute directly to relevant GuildHE consultation responses and may be asked to represent GuildHE on external and national committees. We anticipate main chair duties will require around 5 voluntary hours a year prior to the meetings.

We also operate a development programme for members who are evolving their businesses. Programmes have included: TEF writing and development group, APP writing group, EDI Leadership Programme, Applying for Degree Awarding/Research Degree Awarding Powers/University Title. Visit our Member Benefits web page to find out more.

Click on the individual networks below to find out more about each network plus the contact details for the network manager. Visit our Events and Network Meetings web page to view the meeting dates for the year.

Operations, Regulation and Governance Networks

Clerks to the Board

This network supports clerks to governing bodies considering different elements of board effectiveness. In 2021/22 this included a survey of members on board effectiveness, plus we ran a joint project with AdvanceHE on inclusive board culture and considered questions of academic governance.

Contact: Dr Kate Wicklow, Angellique Woolery

Chair – Ellie Smith, University Secretary, Buckinghamshire New University

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Over recent years we have been supporting members on their journey to becoming anti-racist universities and organisations. Whilst clearly there is more work to do we will now be widening our EDI support work to all forms of equality work happening in member institutions. Among the reasons for this is how intersectionality is becoming increasingly important to recognise in EDI work. We will be creating a briefing on the experiences of LGBT+ staff and students.

Contact – Ellen Graves
Chair – Prof Nick Braisby, GuildHE Board Diversity Champion and Vice-Chancellor, Buckinghamshire New University

Human Resources

Meets up to three times a year, with regular updates from UCEA.

Contact – Angellique Woolery
Chair – Giosi Birkett, Director of HR, Birmingham Newman University

Marketing and Communications

Meets up to three times a year. Focuses on issues relating to marketing and internal and external communications in higher education providers.

Contact – Tara McNicholas

Policy and Planning

This network is aimed at staff in member institutions who are focused on policy, registry and planning. It meets twice per year and via the mailing list network members also receive all of our consultation draft and final responses. The network brings together discussions of ongoing policy issues and opportunities as well as specific issues with regulation and data, and is regularly attended by the OfS, HESA, JISC and OIA.

Contact – Dr Kate Wicklow
Chair – Dr Robin Kirby, Registrar & Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Arts University Plymouth

Quality Management

Meets up to three times a year. This network brings together heads of quality to discuss a range of issues which in the past year has included grade inflation, degree algorithms, Quality Code reforms.

Contact – Dr Kate Wicklow
Chair – Jon Renyard, Director for Student Experience, Arts University Bournemouth

Student Experience Networks

Admissions

Meets three times a year. Regular speakers from UCAS.

Contact – Dr Kate Wicklow
Chair – Rachel Fowkes, Admissions Manager, Leeds Arts University

Learning and Teaching

This network is aimed at Directors of Learning and Teaching and provides updates on work including collaborations with AdvanceHE.

Contact – Dr Kate Wicklow, Qasim Younis

Chair – Professor Helen King, Director of Learning Innovation, Development and Skills, Bath Spa University

Librarians

For staff in Libraries and Information Services at member institutions.

Contact – Ellen Graves, GuildHE Policy Officer
Chair – Laura Lay, University Librarian, Falmouth University

Student Support

Meets up to three times a year bringing together student support staff to discuss the full range of student support needs.

Contact – Ellen Graves
Chair – Lesley Worsfold, Vice Principal – Resources, Hartpury University

Students' Unions

Meets regularly to provide a space for elected student officials and SU staff to network and discuss issues which affect smaller students’ unions. It regularly works collaboratively with the GuildHE Quality Network and guests from NUS.

Contact – Qasim Younis

Widening Participation

For staff with responsibility for WP and Access & Participation plans. The network meets three times per year.

Contact – Dr Kate Wicklow
Chair – Professor Ross Renton, Principal, ARU Peterborough

Growth, Skills and Innovation Networks

Knowledge Exchange, Innovation and Place (KIP)

Meets four times a year with additional drop-ins and workshops. The network brings together senior leaders in the areas of knowledge exchange and innovation and also focuses on place-making and levelling up. KIP works closely with GuildHE Research.

Contact – Dana Gamble

Chair – Mhairi Ambler, Head of Knowledge Exchange and Impact, Falmouth University

International

This network provides members with updates relating to international issues from our joint work with UUK International, the Home Office, UKSCISA and other organisations.

Contacts – Dana Gamble
Chair – Dr Esther Wilkinson, Associate Director, Business Development, Royal Agricultural University

Skills

This network offers the opportunity for members to discuss apprenticeships, the LLE (lifelong loan entitlement), regional skills partnerships and other skills-related policies.

Contact – Dana Gamble
Chair – Nichola Hay MBE, Director of Apprenticeship Strategy and Policy at BPP University

Special Interest Groups

Chief Operating Officers

Network aimed at Heads of university administration including Registrar and COO positions.

Contact – Dr Kate Wicklow

Data Managers