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Dear colleague<\/p>\n
The first four months in my new role have been hectic with so much to take in and learn, not least finding my way around campus! \u00a0It\u2019s been a real privilege to meet so many wonderful people and I\u2019ve been inspired by the enthusiasm, commitment and expertise of colleagues from all parts of our University. \u00a0<\/p>\n
While I\u2019ve spent quite a lot of time in meetings, I\u2019ve also made sure to visit colleagues and teams in the places where they work and I\u2019ve many more of these visits lined up next year. \u00a0 I\u2019ve also held three open staff meetings, jointly hosted with the Professional Services Leadership Team (PSLT), where plenty of thoughtful and thought provoking questions were asked. \u00a0One of these was how the PS can better articulate the vast array of things it does and how it contributes to the success of our University. \u00a0I acknowledged that this can be challenging but it\u2019s certainly something we will be exploring further, along with how we can build stronger and more productive working relationships between PS and academic colleagues.<\/p>\n
At these meetings I explained that I don\u2019t have all of the answers to colleagues\u2019 questions, but I believe that leadership is a team sport and I am confident that alongside PSLT, we have begun an open, honest and ongoing conversation with colleagues about their concerns as well as future opportunities. \u00a0Following a suggestion at one of these sessions, I\u2019ve made a commitment that all members of PSLT will be going \u2018back to the floor\u2019 throughout 2019, spending time with colleagues to get a better understanding of the great work they do, as well as the issues and challenges they face. \u00a0I was also pleased to hear that people welcomed the change of name from Professional Support Services to Professional Services (PS). \u00a0If you weren\u2019t able to come along to these open meetings you can view them and read transcripts of the questions and answers on StaffNet<\/a>. \u00a0Dates for 2019 sessions will be released after the Christmas break.<\/p>\n A recurring theme I\u2019ve heard is the way our University approaches change and major transformational projects. We are looking at ways in which we can give colleagues more opportunities to contribute to and be supported through major change. \u00a0In the meantime, you\u2019ll have seen in my 28 November message<\/a> that a new leadership structure for the Directorate for the Student Experience (DSE) and specific areas of the Faculties and Schools is being proposed. \u00a0This change is being proposed to help ensure that we have the right leadership model in place to provide an outstanding student experience whilst also delivering value for money. We are undertaking this major change through open and honest discussions with staff directly and indirectly affected.\u00a0<\/p>\n