President's Weekly Update

22 December 2015

Just a short note and sent earlier than usual because I know many people will be away.

At our regular City-University partnership meeting, which I co-chair with Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive Officer of Manchester City Council, we discussed the many ongoing changes and the Comprehensive Spending Review (which was better than expected for us, but still with some likely significant cuts in funding). We also discussed Health Devolution and potential new bids for funding as part of the next budget.

I was in London for two events. The first was a fascinating dinner at the Bank of England with members of the Council for Science and Technology, hosted by Andy Haldane, the Bank’s Chief Economist, and attended by a range of major investors and heads of financial services. We discussed how we improve long term investment in science and technology companies which are struggling to get the sort of ‘smart investment’ they require (i.e. recognising the particular need of such companies). This is critical for the development of companies across the UK.

I was also on the interview panel for the appointment of Chair of the new Medicines Technology Catapult which will be based at Alderley Park. The outcome should be announced early in the New Year.

Several of us spent time working on the ‘Science and Innovation audits’ to be commissioned by the Government, audits for Greater Manchester and Cheshire East which we will submit to the Government in January. These were announced by Sajid Javid , the Secretary of  State for Business, Innovation  and Skills, earlier in the year as a means of providing a regional review of the UK’s science capabilities to help make Britain the best place in Europe to innovate. We need to demonstrate both the strengths and opportunities in research and business which may contribute to future funding opportunities.

It was a great pleasure to meet two staff who have now taken up positions very far afield. Professor Geraint Howells, who was Head of our School of Law, is now Dean of City University of Hong Kong. Geraint has been very helpful in advising us of links with Hong Kong where we have many alumni and a University Foundation.

Peter Noble, who also visited, was previously Chief Operating Officer for our Manchester Academic Health Science Centre and moved with Professor Ian Jacobs (former Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences) to the University of New South Wales in Sydney. I saw Peter when I visited Sydney in September, and Will Spinks and I are now looking to compare our two universities, which are of quite similar size, and to see if we can identify examples of best practise that we can share.

I hope that you all manage to have some much deserved rest and relaxation over Christmas and the New Year. Thank you all for your contributions to the University.

The next message will be on 15 January.

Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor

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