Planning for the future: all-staff talk July recording

In the last all-staff talk of the 2023/24 academic year, Vice-Chancellor Robert Van de Noort provided an update on the University’s current position and how we are planning for the future.

Following Labour’s victory in the General Election, Robert outlined what we might expect – and what we shouldn’t – from the new government.

The rest of the talk was focused on our ongoing work to set the University up for a financially sustainable future and continue to achieve our strategic objectives.

Robert discussed this week’s update that the University had begun to engage with the UCU and Staff Forum on how we would approach any restructuring, including potential redundancies, should this become necessary to address our operational financial deficit.

He emphasised that Reading’s strong reserve funds means we are in a relatively positive financial position compared to many universities, and that these conversations are aimed at being prepared for this possible scenario, with no decisions having yet been made.

During the talk and Q&A, Robert acknowledged that mention of restructuring may be unsettling for colleagues. Colleagues were encouraged to share concerns with their line managers and use the wellbeing resources offered by the University, including our Employee Assistance Programme and line manager advice, if they need support.

This planning for the future continues our ongoing work, and follows several completed projects, to deliver our strategy.

Robert cited the implementation of redesigned teaching programmes, a Directorates structure for Professional Services, investment in new farmland to support research, and our recent positive QS and Times Higher Impact rankings as examples of continued progress thanks to the hard work of staff during a challenging period.