The Higher Education Better Regulation Group (HEBRG) is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Chair, Sir Tim Wilson. Sir Tim was Vice Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire (2003-2010) and is a strong advocate of the role of universities in economic development. He recently led a study of university/business interaction, A Review of Business-University Collaboration, released in February 2012, intended to inform government policy on aspects of higher education reform and propose changes in business and university practices that would support improved collaboration.
Universities UK Chief Executive, Nicola Dandridge, said, “We are delighted that Sir Tim has agreed to take the lead on better regulation within the higher education sector at a time when issues affecting effective regulation are so critically important. Sir Tim’s well-recognised strong judgement, political acumen and knowledge of the higher education sector will help us to accelerate the good work already underway at the Better Regulation Group.”
Steve Egan, Deputy Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), said, “We welcome the appointment of Tim Wilson as the new chair of HEBRG. As a former HEFCE board member he understands HEFCE’s commitment to fair, proportionate regulation. Increased tuition fees will mean that individual students will bear more of the cost of their degree through income-contingent loan repayments. It is therefore more important than ever that they have confidence in the world-class reputation and value for money of English higher education. Better regulation will continue to help us achieve this.”
Sir Tim replaces retiring HEBRG chair, Sir Graeme Catto, who steps down after 28 months as HEBRG’s first chair.
GuildHE Chief Executive, Andy Westwood, said, “Sir Graeme’s leadership was instrumental in HEBRG finding its feet. He brought institutions, organisations, government, and public agencies to the table in a time of tremendous uncertainty. We are sincerely grateful to Sir Graeme for his commitment to HEBRG, his hard work, and relentless good humour as chair.”
Sir Tim said, “I look forward to the challenge of the Higher Education Better Regulation Group. Increased competition within the sector and from outside the United Kingdom, coupled with the complexities of devolution, are fundamentally changing the higher education landscape. Agencies and institutions must find creative and effective means of ensuring public accountability while improving institutional flexibility. Ultimately, higher education regulation needs to meet the needs of students and legitimate public interest, whilst enabling providers to be innovative in pursuing their individual missions and goals.”
Sir Tim begins a two-year term as HEBRG chair effective 25 April 2012.
For more information please contact:
Andrew Boggs, HEBRG Policy Adviser. Email: andrew.boggs@hebetterregulation.ac.uk.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7419 5501
Notes
HEBRG was established in 2010 to promote efficient and transparent regulation of UK higher education. HEBRG is supported by two sector representative bodies, Universities UK and GuildHE, and is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the Scottish Funding Council, and the Department for Employment and Learning (Northern Ireland). HEBRG draws its membership from the UK higher education sector and regulatory bodies.