Carol Prokopyszyn, Chief Financial Officer, to retire
14 Apr 2026
Carol will retire from her position as Chief Financial Officer later this year
Carol Prokopyszyn will retire from her position as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) this summer, after 4 years at the University.
Carol joined us in 2022 and has led the Finance team during a period of significant challenge and change across the HE sector. Throughout this time, she has ensured that Manchester remains in a strong and secure financial position, while helping to shape our ambitions for the future.
A key member of the University Executive and our wider community, Carol played a central role in developing our new strategy to 2035. As Director and executive member for ‘Sister’, she supported the joint venture to develop the £1.7bn Innovation District Manchester. As a board member for the Fallowfield residences project, she has worked to secure a deal for 3300 new student rooms, which will form the biggest student accommodation development in the UK.
Alongside her role here at the University, Carol has made a significant impact within higher education including as Chair of Russell Group Financial Directors, as the UCEA appointed representative on the Joint Negotiating Committee for USS (pensions), providing evidence on the implications of the international student levy to the Education Select Committee and previously as special adviser to the Director of Fair Access (OFFA).
Carol said, “Deciding to retire has not been easy, as it has been a privilege to work with such talented and dedicated colleagues. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, particularly the strength of the finance team and the progress of the Future Foundations Programme. I leave confident that the University is well placed for the future.
I will greatly miss the breadth of challenge in the role of CFO; there is always something new and unusual to sort out. Graduation ceremonies have always been a joy: contributing to such a special day, seeing the proud families and having the privilege of wearing the bling robes!
I’d like to thank my inspiring colleagues at University Executive and across the wider University, our partners at Sister, my Finance Directorate network and my colleagues at USS who I will all miss.
As I plan a new adventure, I look forward to spending more leisure time with my family and exploring both the UK and the wider world.”
Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor, said: “Carol has made an exceptional contribution to our university over her years of service. Since I joined the university her knowledge, commitment and leadership have been invaluable to me, and I wish her the very best in her retirement. Carol will be greatly missed by us all and I want to offer her my sincere thanks for all she has done and achieved.”
A recruitment process for our new Chief Financial Officer will begin shortly.