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University Corporate Services Directorate

The University Corporate Services Directorate is led by Julie Rowe, Chief Legal Officer and Director of University Corporate Services (UCS) at the University of Reading.

The purpose of UCS is to:

  • support, and where appropriate manage, the delivery of the University’s objectives and strategy
  • enable good decision-making, including through the provision of professional advice, policies and data
  • ensure compliance, proportionate risk management and effective governance across the University and where appropriate, its trusts and subsidiaries.

UCS comprises four departments within the University.

Planning & Strategy Office

The Planning & Strategy Office:

  • provides the University Executive Board (UEB) with information, interpretation, analysis and commentary on data to assist in strategic planning and decision-making and the ongoing development of institutional strategy
  • informs, supports and coordinates the development and implementation of strategic projects and ensures proper change management practices are adopted
  • provides schools, departments and research divisions with management information for use in their planning, target setting, and progress and performance monitoring
  • liaises with external regulatory and funding bodies, and manages and provides data for statutory student data-related statistical returns and periodic research assessment exercises
  • provides advice and oversight on institutional risk management and business continuity.

Visit the Planning & Strategy Office website

Governance

The Governance department includes:

  • Health and Safety Services
  • Internal Audit Services
  • The Student Appeals, Complaints and Discipline team, who manage and provide support for a range of University processes relating to students, including complaints to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator
  • Quality Assurance in Research
  • Executive and Governance Office, which provides secretariat services for central University committees and executive support to UEB and other members of senior leadership.

Learn more about Governance at the University of Reading

Office of the Chancellor & Vice-Chancellor

The Office provides high-quality advice, co-ordinating capacity, and project support directly to the Vice-Chancellor and the Chancellor to contribute to the delivery of their responsibilities. The Office leads their external engagement and oversees their involvement in a range of strategic, high-profile institutional activities and projects.

The Office is an institutional front door managing all internal and external correspondence and enquiries. It also organises events, delivers informal staff engagement, and provides extensive diary management.

Office contacts:

Rachel Helsby, Head of Chancellor’s and Vice-Chancellor’s Office and Caroline Brookes, VC’s Executive Assistant

Email: vc@reading.ac.uk

Learn more about key people at the University of Reading

Legal Services

The Legal Services Department at Reading provides legal, regulatory and commercial advice across a diverse range of University activities.

This includes:

  • advising on compliance with laws and regulations
  • identifying and managing legal risks associated with University activities
  • drafting and reviewing contracts
  • advising on and handling disputes
  • supporting strategic projects and decision-making.

Information Management & Policy Services (IMPS), responsible for data protection, freedom of information and copyright compliance, sits within Legal Services.

Visit the Legal Services website

To request legal advice (University employees only) please use our request form.

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