Annual Review 2011/12

2011/12 Annual Review

Contents

04 Foreword—Chair of the University Board

06 Introduction—Vice Chancellor

08 Student body profile

10 Student achievements

12 Quality and standards

14 Access and widening participation

15 International

16 Wider community

18 Sustainability

20 Research and enterprise

22 Staff profile

23 Professorial appointment

24 Staff achievements

26 Honorary fellowships

28 Estates

30 Financial summary

34 Governance and management

2011/12 Annual Review

This document may be viewed in electronic format on our website (www.cumbria.ac.uk) and can be made available in alternative formats (for example Braille).

Contact the Vice Chancellor’s Office on 01228 616056.

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2011/12 Annual Review 03

2011/12 was another significant year for the University of

Cumbria. It marked a year when an updated corporate strategy

was approved and in which the university again performed

strongly, achieving very strong recruitment, another strong financial

surplus and improved results in the National Student Survey.

The achievements in 2011/12, building as they do on those of the previous year, provide a strong platform on which the university will look to buildin the coming years in a challenging and changing market place.

The new vice chancellor, Professor Peter Strike, oversaw the

process to refresh the corporate strategy, and produce an

associated business annual operating plan which reflected the

continuing significant developments and changes facing the

higher education sector. These included:

• the introduction of the new fee regime

• changes to the student number controls

• the move towards a liberalisation of the student market with

the introduction of “Core Plus Margin”

• the movement of students achieving AAB+ from the core

HEFCE student contract to the “free market”

• the introduction of the School Direct policy in teacher education.

The University Board, through its strategic, financial and

academic planning, has recognised the challenges facing the

sector—and particularly how they have directly affected the

University of Cumbria. This has been characterised by increasing

uncertainty in the policy and funding environment, with major

policy changes planned or being implemented, often with little

lead time or clear guidance.

Together, these and other changes have created a new and

unknown student recruitment market and made planning and

forecasting ever more challenging. The university continued, and

will continue in 2012/13, to review the implications and address

the likely impact of these changes as the university seeks to

ensure its offer is demand driven and student focused.

The university recognises that there will be both opportunities and

challenges arising from these changes and will look to develop its

strong reputation and areas of niche provision across the HEFCE,

TA and NHS portfolio, seeking to capitalise upon its potential.

In the year ahead the university will be undertaking a detailed

review of the implications of the changing external landscape for

its strategy and future direction. The changed financial and policy

landscape will necessitate even more focus on income diversification

and cost reduction to ensure the university has a sustainable

business model which enables it to deliver its mission and vision.

The University Board has therefore, in its plans and risk

assessments, made prudent planning assumptions including

financial planning. It is also supporting strategic investments

in business-critical areas, including key academic areas such as

business and sustainable engineering, as well as in marketing

and recruitment and enhancing the international office. The

development and implementation of a new estates investment

programme has been a key priority in 2011/12, working towards the

improvement of the quality and utilisation of the estate in support

of enhancing the student experience and improving sustainability.

The university and University of Cumbria Students’ Union (UCSU)

work closely in partnership to develop the student experience for

all our students. This year saw the University Board and UCSU

launch an initiative aimed at strengthening further this important

partnership by signing a relationship agreement, one of ten

recommended actions in the Committee of University Chairs’ (CUC)

Good Governance Guide in support of strong governance. The

agreement forms the basis of a strong and sustainable governance

relationship between the union and the university and reflects the

continuing strong commitment to working in genuine partnership

with the student body. This will ensure the university remains

focused on enhancing the quality of the academic offer and the

student experience and that students, rightly, given the new fee

regime, are able to contribute actively to shaping and informing the

on-going development of the university.

The university remains committed to its mission and vision and to

being a strong and respected university serving the needs of its

region and beyond.

Stephen Henwood Chair of the University Board

Foreword

04 2011/12 Annual Review

2011/12 was another significant year for the University of Cumbria. It marked a year whenan updated corporate strategy was approved and in which the university again performed strongly


Last year was another important year for the University of

Cumbria—a year in which the university performed increasingly

strongly, with some excellent financial and academic achievements.

The university successfully supported 3,335 new graduates through

their studies and into the workplace.

A financial surplus was delivered in 2011/12, in line with the planned budget. Recruitment for the year was strong, with targets being achieved, and applications received during the year for 2012/13 entry were also excellent.

Widening participation continued to form an important focus for

activity and the university’s performance was noted in the Office

of Fair Access monitoring report, which stated that its targets and

expectations continue to be achieved and exceeded.

The financial plan that had been put in place provided a solid

platform for investment. The focus on business-critical areas,

including marketing and recruitment and enhancing the

international office, showed real value in aiding competition in this

very challenging market. New enterprise structures will support a

significant increase in both the level and impact of the university’s

enterprise activities. The development and implementation of a new

estates strategy was also a priority, to support the improvement

of the quality and utilisation of the estate in order to enhance the

student experience and improve sustainability. Significant investment

has also been made in IT equipment for students and staff.

There are still many challenges ahead, with the changes in the fee

regime and the cap on student numbers, together with the major

changes taking place to teacher education, but the university is well

placed to meet these challenges. With a clear corporate strategy in

place to build on recent success, the university aims to continue to

provide quality and accessible higher education to the region, and to

ensure its sustainability and success in the longer term. Working to

further improve the student experience will continue to be a key priority.

To ensure priorities are fully met, an annual operating plan (AOP)

has been put in place which provides a robust planning framework

for the future business of the university.

The AOP has been developed through a series of senior

management team (SMT) workshops and has been based on the

long-term goals within the corporate strategy. This gives a number

of performance objectives that have been developed for each goal.

The key outputs of the professional services review (PSR), as well

as faculty and service plans, have also been incorporated into the

AOP and the university now has indicative priorities contained in a

deliverable action plan that is consistent across all areas of activity

and has been used to inform the budget planning process.

The AOP offers a clear representation of how the university will take

forward its corporate strategy for the year ahead, and although the

HE environment continues to be ever changing, I am confident that

the university has the foundations in place to enable us to meet these

challenges and ensure the university goes from strength to strength.

The university’s estates plans were also reviewed and an updated

estates investment plan was developed and approved. The plan

included proposals to return to the Ambleside campus as part of

an extensive masterplan detailing the university’s vision for the site

over the next five years. Far-reaching consultation was conducted

with stakeholders and the local community in order to inform the

university’s plans, and this work will continue throughout each

phase of the process.

Essential to the university’s progress and sustainability is a strong

working partnership with University of Cumbria Students’ Union.

Together we strive to meet the needs of all our students and to

this end we have together developed a new student charter.

The university’s progress over the last few years would not have

been possible without the continued, exceptional dedication and

support of our staff, who have all resolutely maintained their

commitment to the university and, despite the significant financial

challenges and the major change programme we have faced, have

remained focused on the core business. As a result, our students

continue to deliver great achievements that build our national and

international reputation. With such good foundations in place, and

working together, I am confident that the University of Cumbria

will continue to thrive whilst at the same time maintaining the

student experience and the quality of our academic programmes,

and continuing to meet the needs of the communities which

we serve. We can look forward with genuine enthusiasm to the

challenges of the years ahead.

Professor Peter Strike Vice Chancellor

Introduction


Last year was another important year for the University of Cumbria—a year in which the university performed increasingly strongly, with some excellent financial and academic achievements.


In 2011/12 the university enrolled 10,709 students of which 8,936 were undergraduate students and 1,773 were postgraduate or PGCE students.

In total, the university had a student population which equated to 7,839.7 full-time equivalent (FTE); these were split between 6,783 FTEs of full-time students and 1,056.7 FTE of part-time students.

Student body profile

Proportion of students by faculty

Health and Wellbeing

Education

Arts, Business and Science

36% 36%

28%

Undergraduate

75%

20% 5%

Postgraduate (taught and research—includes PGCE)

7,839.7

enrolled full-time

equivalentstudents

30%

11%

20%

37%

2%Under 18

18-20

21-24

25-29

30+

Age distribution of students


Lancashire

Cumbria

Other UK

European Community

Other overseas

51%

23%19%

Origin of applicants


Enrolments by campus

Ambleside 1%

Brampton Road 11%

Fusehill St 29%

Lancaster 48%

Penrith 8%

Tower Hamlets 3%

Ambleside 2%

Brampton Road 0%

Fusehill St 25%

Lancaster 65%

Penrith 1%

Tower Hamlets 7%

PostgraduateUndergraduate

Enrolments by gender

• Emma Dovey, a final-year trainee teacher,

represented England at netball in September, on a

23-day tour of Australia and New Zealand, and also

participated in the World Series, a three-day event

with the top six ranked countries in the world

playing a new exciting and faster version of netball

called Fastnet. The English team won in the final

against Australia, the first gold medal the England

netball team has ever won in a major competition.

• Graphic design student Emma Slights won a

national competition that saw her design printed

on Marks & Spencer Christmas cards and sold in

their stores in the UK and Ireland. Tigerprint is the

sole supplier of greeting products to high street

giant Marks & Spencer. Their ‘Gifted?’ competition

was aimed at creative students and graduates

nationwide and Emma scooped top prize in the

card category. The prize also included £500 in cash

and a two-week placement in Tigerprint’s studio.

• Anthony Scattergood (BA (Hons) in Film and

TV Production), went to Africa to film a United

Nations funded project. Anthony (20) was chosen

by local consultancy and media production

company, Taskscape Associates Limited, to spend

over two weeks filming in northern Rwanda,

interviewing farmers and project workers on

their involvement in planning land use to provide

income whilst protecting the natural environment.

The community-based project was funded by The

International Fund for Agricultural Development

(IFAD), a specialised agency of the United Nations.

Student achievements

Petra Blahova, a third-year graphic design student, was

announced as winner of the nationwide Letts 2011 ‘Design a Diary Competition’. Petra (23), who came to study in Carlisle from Prague, was selected from hundreds of entries.

BA Illustration graduate Amy Holliday had her talent

recognised by the prestigious Computer Arts magazine. She was declared winner of the Illustration Category Excellence Award in the magazine’s 2011 Graduate Showcase.


• Sarah-Jane Cherrie, wildlife and media student, was given the opportunity

to be the sole photographer and film maker for the Lake District Osprey

Project (LDOP), over the next three years.

• Every year around 70,000 pink-footed geese arrive from Iceland in October to winter

at the Loch Strathbeg RSPB reserve in Aberdeenshire. Cain Scrimgeour, final-year wildlife

and media student, was asked to make a promotional film about the spectacle for Loch

Strathbeg’s Goosewatch events. Cain’s footage of the geese was so impressive that the

BBC used a clip in the opening sequence of an episode of their Autumnwatch series.

Robert Ewin, who is studying FdSc Policing (Community

Safety) at the university, was awarded ‘Special Constable of the Year 2011’ by Cumbria Constabulary. At the time he had completed over 2,000 hours in voluntary roles.

Women taking part in the 2012 Race for

Life looked even more stylish as they ran, thanks to student Claire Wood who studied BA (Hons) Illustration in Carlisle. Claire won a national competition to design a t-shirt for Cancer Research UK’s flagship 5k and 10k events held across the country during the summer.

Former student and successful ceramicist

Tom Hopkins-Gibson has received a major award at the Museum of Philadelphia International Craft Show, regarded as the best craft fair in the whole of the United States.

Ayrshire-based Tom was one of 25 designer–makers to

successfully apply to exhibit at the show along with 200

American craftspeople. Tom, who graduated from the BA

(Hons) Contemporary Applied Arts course, also featured

in the BBC programme ‘Britain’s Next Big Thing’.2011/12 Annual Review 11

The Faculty of Health and Wellbeing has had a number of positive visits from professional accrediting bodies this year.


The Faculty of Health and Wellbeing has had

a number of positive visits from professional

accrediting bodies this year. MSc Medical

Imaging, BSc (Hons) Nursing and Non-Medical

Prescribing, at postgraduate and undergraduate

levels, and its mentorship programmes were all

re-accredited successfully.

The faculty has also undergone a number of

successful audit visits from the Health Care

Professions Council for MSc Occupational

Therapy (Pre-registration Accelerated), MSc

Physiotherapy (Pre-registration Accelerated), BSc

(Hons) Physiotherapy, BSc (Hons) Occupational

Therapy (full-time/part-time), BSc (Hons)

Diagnostic Radiography and Non-Medical

Prescribing at postgraduate and undergraduate

levels, demonstrating the faculty’s commitment to

quality educational provision in healthcare.

Collaborative work with University Hospitals

of Morecambe Bay NHS FoundationTrust has

responded to areas marked for improvement in

a recent NMC audit. This work has paid off with

a positive outcome in a follow-up visit by the

auditors in late 2011/12.

Quality and standards

The university continues to progress against the

action plans formulated in response to its most

recent QAA Institutional Audit. In its Ofsted

inspection of teacher education the university

achieved an outcome of “good with outstanding

features” and the Faculty of Education has

made significant progress since then to increase

this grading in the next inspection, under the

new Ofsted framework. At the same time, the

faculty has been addressing the outcomes of

the 2011 Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) survey,

and exit surveys conducted by the faculty since

the national survey results are demonstrating a

significant improvement.

In the most recent Ofsted inspection of teacher education the university achieved an outcome of “good with outstanding features”


Since 2007, the university’s student

profile has broadened to include

recruitment from a wider range of

schools, including increased recruitment

from non WP schools. The current

strategic plan strengthens the university’s

firm commitment to accessible higher

education, in terms of widening

participation, flexible and distributed

learning, and a course portfolio which

meets the needs of the wider region.

Recognising its regional commitment

and responsibilities to an area with

significant pockets of low participation

and low educational aspiration, the

university aims to ensure as many

people as possible benefit from

the transformational opportunities

provided by higher education.

The university also recognises that its

learning community is enriched by the

diversity of students in terms of mode

of study, gender, ethnicity, social and

geographical background, and previous

educational experience.

The university has considered

its performance against HESA

benchmarks and a range of other

indicators. The University of Cumbria

consistently performs well across

benchmarks for entrants from lower

socioeconomic groups and low

participation neighbourhoods. In light

of past performance, the university

sets stretching targets for attracting

additional students from some other

underrepresented groups with the

aim of continuing good performance.

Self-assessment has informed further

development on targets for the

university in future access agreements

and plans for widening participation.

Widening Participation

‘Early indications for 2011/12 suggest improvement, including significant progress on disability, ethnicity and mature students.’

Widening participation (WP) sits firmly at the

heart of the university’s mission and vision, and

a key concern continues to be how best to

address low participation in higher education

in Cumbria and the other communities

the university serves, as well as supporting

access and widening participation for other

disadvantaged groups and individuals. The

university is pleased to note that early statistical

evidence for 2011/12 suggests that:

• The university continues to recruit over 96%

of its young full-time, undergraduate students

from state schools or colleges.

• Since formation in 2007, the university has

seen an overall increase in the proportion of

young full-time, undergraduate entrants from

low-participation neighbourhoods, with minor

fluctuations year on year.

• Over one third of the university’s young full-

time undergraduate entrants comes from low

socioeconomic classes.

• The university continues to broadly maintain

or improve its performance in relation to disability,

gender, ethnicity and mature students. Early

indications for 2011/12 suggest improvement,

including significant progress on disability,

ethnicity and mature students. However, due

to unique recruitment patterns in 2011/12, the

university is keen to see these in the context of

future performance to see if this is sustained.

• In 2011/12 over 60% of the university’s

full-time, undergraduate and postgraduate

ITT students liable for paying full fees received

bursaries or scholarships as a result of meeting

WP criteria.

• In 2011/12 the University spent in excess

of £3.1m of its additional fee income on OFFA

countable expenditure (bursaries, scholarships,

additional outreach etc.), with bursaries and

scholarships accounting for £2.8m. In addition

to this the University also spent over £1.5m on

other WP activity to over £1.5m other spend on

WP activity.


2011/12 Annual Review 15 2011/12 Annual Review 15

During 2011/12 the university implemented a new international

office structure with the appointment of a head of international

development, two international development officers, each with

an overseas recruitment role, two international officers with

responsibility for conversion, pre-arrival, welcome week and student

support, and an international administrator.

New pre-arrival information has been

developed, welcome week activities

improved and a programme of social

activities introduced at Lancaster and

Carlisle to assist in integrating international

students. New processes have also been

implemented for agent recruitment.

Systems, procedures and staff

development have been reviewed and

updated to ensure ongoing UKBA

compliance. The team has travelled

extensively throughout Asia and the USA

to promote the university, develop new

partnerships, and develop and train a

network of agents to assist in recruitment.

This year the university created the Centre for English Language

Learning and Teaching (CELLT), developed language-support

provision, won a new contract with Hong Kong Institute of

Education (a semester abroad for teacher trainees), and developed

a new pre-sessional programme. CELLT welcomed its first visiting

scholar, from Xian International Studies University in China.

The university already has a successful venture with Robert

Kennedy College (RKC), which started in September 2010,

with RKC offering a new MBA in Leadership and Sustainability

developed in collaboration with the university. Over 700 students

from 110 countries have enrolled since the programme began.

The programme was shortlisted for an Insider International Trade

Award in the international education category at the end of 2011.

The programme includes a week-long residential at the

Ambleside campus, and completing students have been

enthusiastic about the experience. It is estimated that each

residential cohort provides approximately £15,000 income to

local businesses.

International

Noteworthy initiatives in 2011/12 include:

• A strategic relationship agreement between the

university and the Students’ Union was drawn up

and signed.

• Applied Science students passed on their

scientific expertise to children from eight local

primary schools (c200 children) in a series of

workshops in February 2102 at Energus, West

Cumbria.

• The Faculty of Health and Wellbeing worked

with local hospices developing programmes for

staff working with patients with dementia.

• Four BA Physical Education students organised

and carried out a fundraising sports day for school

students across Carlisle in April 2012 in which 150

students from five schools participated. The event

focused on increasing knowledge of healthy eating

and exercise.

• A successful bid was made as part of a national

project with six other universities and various arts/

health-based collaborators, to investigate the

connection between arts-based projects and their

collective role in promoting health and wellbeing,

employment prospects and economic growth.

• Coaching and sport development students

undertook outreach with the Morecambe Ladies

football team, providing fitness testing for

team members.

• Funding was secured to look at the use of

Stilwell (the university’s virtual world learning

environment), webcasting and other new media in

supporting the community, agencies and statutory

bodies to tackle public health issues.

• Sports students worked with Carlisle Leisure

Ltd to deliver sporting projects in the area.

Second-year students were selected to deliver

Sport England “Sportivate” projects in and around

Carlisle. Seven sports and exercise science students

were involved in a “StreetGames” pilot, a

six-week youth inclusion project.

Wider community



Sustainability

All aspects of the university’s portfolio, institutional thinking and practice are informed and influenced by sustainability.


EstateThe university has already achieved a 10% reduction in carbon emissions

from energy and fuel use, and has in place a carbon-management

plan to support its aims to achieve a 45% reduction in carbon

emissions by 2020. An approved, revised environmental, energy and

waste-management policy, and a new waste service contract will be

implemented from December 2012 with the aim of increasing recycling

rates to at least 90% by the end of 2013/14. A number of energy-saving

projects have been introduced, which together save approximately 100

tonnes of carbon per year. In addition, the university will be running

targeted campaigns covering energy awareness and waste reduction.

The university has signed up to the EcoCampus environmental

management programme with the aim of achieving the bronze level

award in Autumn 2012*.

PracticeA successful transport policy, and the initiatives to encourage staff

to find alternative transport solutions to using their own cars, led to

the university winning a Green Gown Award for its work in reducing

carbon emissions. The plan included the instigation of a successful pool

car scheme at the Carlisle campus and a negotiated deal with Virgin

Trains to incentivise staff to travel by rail.

Sustainable business practices have been developed—increasingly

important in an ever more challenging HE environment. Business

planning, financial planning and performance management

frameworks have been revised and augmented to ensure they serve the

university effectively and aid strategic decision making.

Course developmentThe university is at the forefront of national activities in sustainable

engineering, working with partners on the west coast of Cumbria to

address issues of low-carbon energy generation. In 2011 the university:

• successfully recruited to its sustainable engineering degree delivered

in partnership with GenII at the Energus campus at Workington;

• was part of a successful bid for the formation of a University

Technical College on the West Coast;

• was in early negotiations with Furness College to extend the reach

of its sustainable engineering delivery to the Furness peninsula,

working closely with the Dalton Institute to ensure a joined-up

approach to delivering the west coast ambition.

reduction in carbon emissions from energy and fuel use

2011/12 Annual Review 19 * Subsequently achieved

Noteworthy initiatives in 2011/12 include:

• An Arts Council funded arts project in Copeland explored the

relationships between art and energy.

• A member of Faculty of Health and Wellbeing staff was

awarded funding from the Rosemere Trust for her research on

cancer survivorship.

• The Faculty of Arts, Business and Science has a successful

programme of knowledge transfer partnerships (KTP) with Carlisle

Leisure Ltd which helped them to develop an environmentally

focused, sustainable business strategy and identify savings in

energy use, while the redefining and redevelopment of the

Business School has led to a Business Interaction Centre at Carlisle.

• HE Academy funding was awarded for a project to evaluate

the implementation of collaborative student–practitioner research

partnerships as a new educational approach to research methods.

• The Faculty of Health and Wellbeing won a competitive tender

to deliver a staff development programme on resilience and

change with Cumbria County Council.

• Through the British Council, the university is supporting staff

at Karakoram International University, Pakistan, who are being

mentored by a team of staff from Cumbria to enable them to

develop enterprise and knowledge exchange

strategies in their country.

Research and enterprise


• A joint collaboration with other universities in the North West

on paired placements in ICT.

• Teacher Education Assessment Network (TEAN) completed

the series Teacher Education Futures across the UK with the

comparative results of the events held in England, Northern

Ireland, Scotland and Wales presented at the UCET conference

and appearing in an abridged form in Research Intelligence, a

BERA news publication.

• The Faculty of Education, which has mentored training in Forces

Schools, won the licence to deliver Modular School Leadership

programmes on behalf of the National College for School Leadership

and was invited to host workshops and seminars and to showcase

its CPD portfolio at the annual Council of British International

Schools (CoBIS) conference in Prague in February 2012.

• The Faculty of Health and Wellbeing has developed its Stilwell

virtual-world learning environment for a number of external

agencies, supporting continuing professional development

across a range of disciplines, and its six-month KTP with Cumbria

Constabulary has enhanced and improved the Constabulary’s

occupational health service and allowed it to respond to the

rapidly changing needs of the police force.

• A range of practical training courses in equality, diversity and

inclusion aimed at helping employers and education providers

understand legislation and implement best practice has been

launched by the university.


Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Strike took up his post on 1 August

2011, following a one-month transition with his predecessor,

Interim Vice Chancellor Professor Graham Upton.

During the year a number of appointments were made to key posts

including Director of Finance, Director of IT and Head of International

Office as well as key professorial appointments in sustainable

engineering and in the Business School.

In December 2011 the

University of Cumbria

was successfully

re-accredited with the

nationally recognised

Investors in People (IiP)

Standard, highlighting its

care for staff and

business development.

Staff profile

Over

130staff members interviewed as part of the investors in

People assessment.

FTE Headcount Percentage (%)

FT Employees 369.19 396 33.31%

PT Employees 577.86 793 66.69%

Academic 369.70 435 36.59%

PS 604.34 754 63.41%

Male 641.59 377 31.71%

Female 332.46 812 68.29%

The university was also awarded the additional ‘bronze award’,

which focuses on leadership and management, as part of its IiP

re-accreditation process.

More than 130 members of staff from across the university’s

campuses were interviewed about their experiences of working there

as part of the week-long assessment.

Staff as at 31 July 2012Total Headcount 1,189

Total FTE 974.05


Barry has been involved in education for three decades

and his role at the university is sponsored by Osiris

Educational, a company with whom he has worked for

ten years.

He will spend two years conducting research into the

processes of learning—with a particular emphasis on

the development of talent and expertise, his main area

of specialism. Barry’s expertise in this area has led him to

serve on a number of national committees and to make

over 400 keynote presentations at conferences in the

UK and abroad. His research findings will subsequently

inform the continuing professional development (CPD)

of teachers and other educationalists.

Professorial appointment

Acknowledged as one of the UK’s most inspirational communicators, Dr Barry Hymer was appointed as Professor of Psychology in Education early in 2012.


HR ServiceFollowing the university’s shortlisting in the THES Leadership and

Management Team of the Year in 2011, the HR Service was shortlisted

and was runner-up in the THES HR Team of the Year in 2012.

Dr James Howard Dr James Howard began work on a project to support the

development of higher education in Afghanistan. James worked

as a mentor on the British Council project, advising Afghan higher

education leaders to help them gain the vital management skills

necessary to assist with rebuilding their country.

Staff achievements

Lynn Clark, strategic communications manager, was shortlisted for the Public

Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) Awards 2011 in the category of “In-house Professional of the Year”.


Susan Harness Senior Lecturer in community and

public health was awarded the title ‘Queen’s Nurse’ in recognition of the contribution she has made to community nursing throughout her career

Nicola RelphNicola Relph, a lecturer in biomechanics at the university, worked

with the GB diving team to provide biomechanical analysis of the

top ten 10-metre platform divers on two of the most difficult

dives: for male divers, the four-and-a-half somersaults, and for

females the inward three-and-a-half somersaults.

Robert PooleHistorian Robert Poole appeared on television to draw on his

knowledge to talk about the Romantic age. He was featured

in the BBC TV series Elegance and Decadence: the Age of The

Regency, discussing the Peterloo Massacre of 1819 with presenter

Lucy Worsley.

Dr Ian Convery. Staff from every faculty at the university contributed

to a book published in April 2012 entitled Making Sense of Place, which is part of the Heritage Matters series. The book’s lead editor was Dr Ian Convery and it was a collaborative project with Newcastle University’s International Centre for Culture and Heritage Studies. University contributors included Penny Bradshaw, Mark Haywood, Owen Nevin, Andrew Ramsey, Vincent O’Brien, Lois Mansfield, Andrew Weatherall and a number of PhD students.

Dr Kate Rawles celebrated the

publication of her book about her 4,553 mile cycle ride from Texas to Alaska in 2006. The Carbon Cycle: Crossing the Great Divide was launched at an event hosted by the Lake District National Park at Brockhole in July 2012.


Professor Mike HugginsEmeritus Professor of Cultural History, Professor Mike Huggins

completed a lecture tour in South Korea and Japan at the

invitation of the universities of Seoul, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and

Kyoto, sharing his knowledge and research into the changing

attitude to after-school sport and PE in England. Based in

Ambleside, Professor Huggins is internationally renowned for his

research into sports, leisure and cultural history.

Stephen Borthwick

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the world of Rugby Union Football

Sir James Cropper

In recognition of his definitive contribution to Cumbria, the local economy and its charitable causes

David Gould

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the campaign for peace and community cohesion

Harry King

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to broadcasting, the arts and the Cumbrian community

Honorary fellowships

Honorary fellowships are awarded on an annual basis in recognition of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the university and in support of a variety of causes linked to the work of the university. During the academic year 2011/12, twelve honorary fellowships were awarded.


John Myers

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the radio industry

Anne Pierson

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the arts and creative writing

Helen Skelton

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to broadcasting, the Cumbrian community and her charitable work

Professor Shirley Reveley

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to nursing and the establishment of the nurse practitioner programme and service

Professor Graham Upton

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to higher education and to the University of Cumbria

Paul Rose

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the understanding of the natural world, the challenges of scientific research and his broadcasting work


Jill Ward

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the academic development of the understanding of the social history of learning disability

The late Jeffrey Fardon

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the academic development of the understanding of the social history of learning disability

This first phase EIP, comprising three initial project types

(Ambleside redevelopment, library upgrades at Carlisle and

Lancaster, and Lancaster new-build swing space), was specifically

designed to address issues such as ‘right sizing’ the core estate,

improving the quality and providing facilities better capable of

supporting the university’s new academic plan.

In addition, the strategy addressed key estate performance issues

specifically defined in the HEFCE Capital Investment Framework

2 process, with a view to returning to estate sector norms by

2015/16–2016/17.

An estates investment programme board (EIPB) was created

to oversee the development and implementation of individual

projects forming the development programme through specific

project boards (PB). Projects include the preparation of an

Ambleside business case proposal around the university’s return

to the central Lake District campus and the completion of the

move there of many of the Penrith-based students by 2014. EIPB

has also approved the funding for the first stage of the briefing

process for the library improvement projects.in Carlisle

and Lancaster.

In 2011\12 the university,

working with the developer

Border Construction Ltd,

delivered the first of two

phases (249 bed spaces) of

student accommodation in

Carlisle.

This accommodation, anticipated to be award

winning for its environmental credentials, is fully

occupied. The university is working with the

developer to review the potential for a

further, second phase (249 bed spaces)

of accommodation.

Estates

The completion of a revised estates strategy in 2011 has led to an approved five-year estates investment programme (EIP).



The university has again performed strongly against its budget forecast in 2011/12.


Financial summary

The university’s financial results for 2011/12 demonstrate its ability to successfully respond to changes in funding, policy and the wider external environment in order to continue to invest in its resources and students as it delivers its vision. The university has again performed strongly against its budget

forecast in 2011/12. Despite a decrease in income from 2010/11

following the divestment of further education provision, the

university has been able to report an increased operating surplus

before exceptional items of £7.6m (9.7% of turnover).

This has enabled investment of £3.1m in its infrastructure, more than

doubling the level of prior year expenditure on the key IT assets and

systems that are so crucial to the experience of students and staff.

2012 £m 2011 £m

Income 78.2 86.3

Expenditure including taxation (70.6) (79.6)

Operating surplus 7.6 6.6

Exceptional item: Impairment of Newton Rigg assets 0 0

Exceptional item: Restructuring (1.0) 2.7

Exceptional item: Profit on sale of fixed assets 0 0.1

Surplus / (deficit) for the year 6.6 9.4

Investment of £3.1m in infrastructure such as key IT assets and systems


IncomeIncome decreased by £8.1m, with the most significant change in

2010/11 arising from the divestment of further education provision

which, while contributing significantly to the reduction in income, has

been more than offset by the corresponding reduction in expenditure.

The university recruited strongly to its HEFCE, NHS and TA courses

in 2011/12. This has led to an increase of £1.4m (4%) in tuition

fees compared to 2010/11 and a resultant increase in income from

student residences compared to original forecast. Funding body grants

reduced due primarily to reduction in the unit of funding from HEFCE

and the TA and lower releases of deferred capital grants due to assets

reaching the end of their useful economic lives.

The university has clear plans to grow its income in a range of areas and to diversify the sources of this revenue. Although “other” income reduced in 2011/12, strategies are in place to ensure that this ambition is realised.

ExpenditureExpenditure has reduced

by £9.0m, from £79.6m to

£70.6m compared to 2010/11

partly due to several one-off

items, such as those related

to the refinancing of loans,

and reduced operating

costs due to the transfer of

further education provision.

Staff costs reduced by about

£3.4m (including restructure

costs), and represented

53% of income, better than

the university’s financial

strategy. This was delivered

through continued control

of recruitment, but also

allowing for investment in key

posts including in the senior

management team.

Other operating costs also reduced in line with the further

education transfer. Interest and finance costs reduced significantly,

reflecting the fact that 2010/11 included loan break costs of £2.8m,

and reduced finance costs associated with the new loan arrangements

which began at the end of 2010/11.

2011/12

£70.6m

2010/11

£79.6m

This is the second successive year that the university has

reported a strong surplus. This reflects both the decisive

action that was taken in previous years to control costs and

to strategically realign its focus onto higher education and

the continued efforts to increase revenues and to ensure

value for money is delivered.

As the sector continues to face a period of unprecedented

change, this experience of prudent financial planning will

be crucial. Like other institutions, the university faces both

challenges and opportunities from continued changes in

government policy, in particular in those related to tuition

fees and the delivery model for teacher training.

The university approaches these issues with far healthier

cash reserves than in previous financial years, with the cash

balance standing at £14.2m, but also with the focus on

improving liquidity.


Balance SheetThe increased strength of the balance sheet is demonstrated by

the fact that discretionary reserves as a percentage of total income

improved from 14.2% to 26.0% in 2011/12. Further, total net assets,

excluding the pension liability, have increased by £5.1m.

The work performed on cost reduction and strategic realignment in

previous years has helped result in this healthier balance sheet but the

university has ambitions to continue to strengthen its financial position.

There is a clear focus on cash flow and working capital movements at

both University Board and management levels of the organisation and

this is even more crucial as the timing and quantum of key funding

streams alters during 2012/13. The university holds funds on behalf of

the Energy Coast campus board. During the year, £2.3m of this cash

was spent by the fund’s board, which explains the overall decrease

in the cash balance reported in the accounts. If this expenditure is

excluded, the cash available for university activities increased in year by

£0.4m to £10.1m.

In a period where significant capital grants are not readily accessible, the

university has developed a financial plan which will result in transformative

work to its estate which will be funded through its surpluses either directly

or through the repayment of borrowing. The strength of the balance

sheet, continued delivery of a surplus as planned in 2012/13 and effective

cash management will be crucial to the achievement of this ambition.

The most significant move on

the balance sheet was the £5.8m

increase in the Local Government

Pension Scheme deficit. The

deficit is predicated upon

actuarial assumptions, including

the discount rate, inflation rate,

mortality assumptions and equity

values. The level of balance sheet

surplus/deficit going forward is

subject to fluctuations and may

vary widely each year, and the

university has experienced both

increases and decrease in the

deficit in previous years.

The large increase this year is primarily due to lower than anticipated

bond yields and an increase in life expectancies. The increase in the

deficit to £29m has no immediate effect on cash or expenditure

although the university has anticipated its effect on its contributions in

its long-term financial planning.

Total net assets, excluding the pension liability, have increased by £5.1m


Mr Stephen Henwood Chairman

Euan Cartwright Vice chairman

The Very Reverend Mark Boyling

Professor Linda Challis

Dr Hilary Crowe

Dr Stephen Curl

Professor Trevor Curnow

Mr John Dell

Mr Geoff Donnelly

Mrs Claire Hensman

Mr Brian Hetherington

Mr Grant Hopkins

Mr Stuart Hyde

Mr Ian Johnson

Lord Roger Liddle

The Right Reverend James Newcome Bishop of Carlisle

Mrs Liz Nicholls

Mr Mark Renwick-Smith

Mr Bill Sang

Professor Peter Strike

Barbara Stephens

Governance and management

The University Board of Directors who held office during academic year 2011/12

The Most Reverend Right Honourable Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York

Professor Peter Strike Vice Chancellor

Professor Liz Beaty Pro Vice Chancellor Academic Enterprise and External Relations

Professor Sandra Jowett Pro Vice Chancellor Academic

Mr Neil Harris Registrar and Secretary

Mrs Kate Mclaughlin-Flynn Director of Finance

Mr Mike Berry Director of Estates and IT

Mrs Janet Whitworth Director of HR

The Reverend Canon Professor Robert Hannaford Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Business and Science

Dr Sam Twiselton Executive Dean, Faculty of Education

Dr Robin Talbot Executive Dean, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing

Chancellor

Senior Management Team members in post during academic year 2011/12


Registered Office:

University of CumbriaFusehill StreetCarlisleCumbriaCA1 2HH

Tel: 01228 616234

Company Limited by Guarantee: 06033238

Other main sites:

LancasterUniversity of CumbriaBowerham RoadLancasterLA1 3JD

Tel: 01524 384384

CarlisleUniversity of CumbriaBrampton Road CarlisleCumbriaCA3 9AY

Tel: 01228 400300

PenrithUniversity of CumbriaPenrithCumbriaCA11 0AH

Tel: 01768 893400

AmblesideUniversity of CumbriaRydal RoadAmblesideCumbriaLA22 9BB

Tel: 015394 30274

Tower Hamlets, LondonUniversity of CumbriaEnglish StreetBowLondonE3 4TA

Tel: 0207 364 6334

This document may be viewed in electronic format on our website (www.cumbria.ac.uk) and can be made available in alternative formats (for example Braille).

Contact the Vice Chancellor’s Office on 01228 616056.

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Annual Review 2011/12

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