Independent review of the HE Senior Staff Remuneration Code

The CUC has published the independent review of the HE Senior Staff Remuneration Code today. The CUC comments and a link to the report are here.

The Committee of University Chairs (CUC) commissioned Advance HE to undertake an independent review of the Higher Education Senior Staff Remuneration Code (the Remuneration Code), in order to establish if it remains fit for purpose.

The Remuneration Code is voluntary and to be used on an ‘apply or explain’ basis. Its primary audience is higher education institutions (HEIs) that are members of CUC, however it is also intended to be applicable and of value to others.

Commenting on the review, John Rushforth, CUC Executive Secretary, says, ““This is a robust and encouraging report. We are pleased that the Code is so widely used and has had a positive impact. The report makes helpful suggestions on further improvement which we accept, because its important that we all work to improve public understanding of what we do and the contribution HE makes to societal and economic growth.”

Victoria Holbrook, Assistant Director, Governance and report co-author, says, “The Remuneration Code has an important role to play in ensuring confidence in higher education governance. Our review sought the views of stakeholders across the landscape including Chairs of Remuneration committees, government bodies and secretaries and clerks, together with the input of an external reference group.

“We found that overall the Code is widely used by its intended audience and broadly considered fit for purpose by all. That said, practice and sentiment has evolved since the Code’s creation in key areas such as fairness, stakeholder engagement and transparency which merits further consideration by CUC, working with partners, to enhance the Code’s impact.”

Victoria has written a blog for the Association of Heads of University Administration (AHUA), the representative body for senior University managers (University Secretaries, Registrars, Chief Operating Officers, Heads of Administration). She poses practical reflective questions for institutions with regards to compliance with the Code in the light of the review’s findings.

Read Victoria Holbrook’s blog in full.