Leading through challenging times: An opportunity to take NCUK forward

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NCUK is seeking to appoint a new Chair to lead its Board of Directors. The role of the Chair, working closely with the Chief Executive, will focus upon the continued growth and development of the company as it delivers its strategy to grow in a very competitive and dynamic international market.

As many in the business community will know, managing through change does not just happen by chance. Just over five years ago, NCUK set on a path of significant strategic change to meet the ambitions of the wider Northern Consortium charitable group and its Trustees. A joint strategic direction was agreed and NCUK put in place its first five-year plan under the oversight of the Chair of NCUK’s Board of Directors, Neil McLean, CBE.

Over the plan period, NCUK has seen year on year growth across the board. NCUK student enrolments have increased by 19% and our Global Network of Delivery Partners now spans four continents and over thirty countries. Our global university partnerships have also increased: at our next global university fair in November 2020 students will be able to meet representatives of more than 35 universities from the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the USA.

International education has seen particularly significant change over the last year and current indications are that NCUK has delivered exceptional results. For the 2019/20 cohort of students, NCUK were able to adapt our assessments and introduce an awarding model to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic while ensuring that student achievement was accurately assessed. The result has been a 52% increase in the number of confirmed applications.

When I joined NCUK, I was very much aware that the organisation had massive potential. There was a real desire across the ten universities that established the group to see its reach expand. In our customer base there was the passion, knowledge and experience to deliver a first-class student experience. This equipped the students academically as well as with the resilience and understanding of the demands that are expected of all students at university not just international students. As I come to the end of my tenure as Chair, it has been a genuine honour to see the network grow from strength to strength. I still believe there is more that can be achieved.

Neil McLean, CBE, Chair, NCUK Ltd

With Neil’s tenure due to come to an end in July 2021, the Northern Consortium are about to embark on a search for an ambitious Chair to take the lead as NCUK embarks on its next five-year strategic plan. We are seeking an experienced Chair and outstanding leader who is well-organised, able to think strategically and possesses exceptional interpersonal skills, tact, diplomacy, and the powers of persuasion.  If this sounds interesting, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

For further information, please click here.

Deadline for applications: Noon on Monday 23rd November 2020

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