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Changes to the leadership structure in IT Services

29 Sep 2021

Changes to the leadership structure in IT Services

A message from Angus Hearmon, Director of IT Services

Since May 2020, IT Services have been working through some organisational changes to the IT Services Leadership Team structure

I am pleased to announce that as of Monday, 20 September 2021, IT Services has a new leadership team in place, along with some newly created areas within the Directorate. The changes will help to shape our services to better meet the needs of our staff and students through the delivery of the IT Services Strategic Plan.

The Directorate of IT Services is now made up of five core areas:

1. Engineering (new area)

The area of Engineering manages and maintains the technology, applications and data that underpin our standard IT services, ensuring reliability, security and cost-effectiveness.

2. Product and Service Management (new area)

The area of Product and Service Management manage the IT portfolio of products and services, ensuring they meet the needs of the University, and co-ordinates activity in our Engineering teams.

3. Strategy, Architecture and Support (new area)

The area of Strategy, Architecture and Support shapes, agrees and communicates strategic direction for our IT operating model and the University’s IT estate. The function ensures that our IT staff and operations are supported, ready and able to meet our objectives.

4. Teaching and Learning IT (new area)

The area of Teaching and Learning IT manages the portfolio of specialist IT services for the teaching and learning community, along with the technology, applications and data that underpin them.

5. Research IT (existing area)

The area of Research IT manages the portfolio of specialist IT services for the research community, along with the technology, applications and data that underpin them.

IT Services Senior Leadership Team (ITSLT)

The following colleagues have now joined me as part of the ITSLT:

  • Simon Oliver - Head of Engineering
  • Paul Dennington - Head of Product and Service Management
  • Adam Grant - Head of Strategy, Architecture and Support
  • Sharon Newton - Head of Teaching and Learning IT.

In addition:

  • Rob Haines, Head of Research IT, continues in his role and remains a member of the ITSLT.
  • Lorraine Beard, Associate Director, Research and Digital Horizons (Library) remains an associate member of the ITSLT.
  • Pete Bradley, Director of the IT Modernisation Programme, will be an associate member of the ITSLT for the duration of that programme.

Recruitment

Because we were not able to fully recruit to all of the leadership roles during the original recruitment process in August, five grade 8 roles were left vacant. Grade 7 and 8 colleagues within IT Services were encouraged to apply on a six-month interim basis by expressions of interest while a permanent recruitment process gets underway. Four of the five interim roles were successfully recruited to during this process.

IT leadership structure charts

You can view the new IT leadership structure, including the interim grade 8 roles and the newly formed areas:

With the new IT Leadership Team and newly formed areas in place, we can work towards providing an excellent experience for staff and students and make the Directorate of IT Services one to be proud of.

Angus Hearmon

Director of IT Services