The strength of GuildHE in contrast with university “mission” groups is its position alongside UUK and the AoC as a formal representative body. The main activities that GuildHE undertakes to fulfil its objectives are:

Lobbying
Efforts to persuade the government, a politician, or an official group that something should, or should not, happen
HOW – meetings, conferences, consultations
EG – Regular meetings with BIS and HEFCE officials, Dinner engagements for Members; responses to consultations such as HE at Work.

Advocacy & influencing
Actions, business and meetings with civil servants, stakeholders and other relevant contacts to exchange information, persuade, network or provide information
HOW - meetings, conferences, consultations; web
EG – GuildHE submission to the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, GuildHE discussions with BIS and QAA on guidance and criteria for Research Degree Awarding Powers and Taught Degree Awarding Powers, representation on the Home Office chaired Joint Education Taskforce dealing with the impact of the Government’s new Points Based System for the issue of visas for international staff and students.

Information and signposting
The formal presentation of information and advice to members, their staff and their governors
HOW – members mailings; web & members area; reports;
EG – reports and briefings on the BIS Higher Level Skills Strategy, on John Denham’s statement on the ‘new university challenge’, and the new arrangements for admissions to higher education.

Policy development and analysis
The use of GuildHE expertise, commissioning, management and production of research in support of relevant policy, policy analysis and strategic developments
HOW – consultation responses; research
EG – GuildHE input into the work on league tables, consultation response to HEFCE’s proposals for the revolving green fund, comments on HEFCE’s draft proposals for dealing with unsatisfactory quality in institutions (as sent to the representative bodies for comment).

Data harvesting
The collection of data on GuildHE members and their peers and competitors and its provision for members and as part of lobbying, advocacy or policy development
HOW – research; report analysis; web & members area
EG –reports on UCAS admissions data and HEFCE Performance Indicators.

Governance
The support for theory and practice of HE governance
HOW – projects, publications, networks
EG – Practical Governance Network

Conference and network facilitation
The provision of regular opportunities for members to meet exchange ideas and good practice and access relevant contacts directly
HOW – guidelines; network meetings; web & members area
EG – Briefings provided by BIS, UCEA and Higher Education Academy at GuildHE Council meetings (for all members)

HE Organisational Infrastructure
Provision of advice and support for the national higher education system and the implementation of associated policies
HOW – ownership and support for the delivery of national shared services agencies; aid the delivery of national initiatives
EG – Support for, and joint secretariat for, the Delivery Partnership on HE Admissions, the Measuring and Recording Student Achievement Group (the Burgess Group) and the Quality Assurance Framework Review Group and other similar national groups; shaping the agenda, and the design and implementation processes to deliver policies.

GuildHE Organisational Infrastructure
Provision of London based meeting rooms and facilities and GuildHE’s financial and staffing support
HOW – rooms, web & members area.

What resources does GuildHE use?
Role of GuildHE head of institution members
Presence on committees; lobby groups speaking on behalf of GuildHE and its members
Presence on governing boards; committees and organisational working groups on behalf of GuildHE or as elected
Provision of comment, quotation and Press contact including web presence
Contact with targeted stakeholders and potential new members.

Role of GuildHE office
Communications – members mailings, media releases, web
Presence on committees; lobby groups speaking on behalf of GuildHE and its members
Policy analysis and production of advice and consultation responses
Infrastructure services and servicing of sub-associations.

Role of senior staff in GuildHE institutions
Presence on committees; lobby groups speaking on behalf of GuildHE members
Presence with infrastructure networks.

Role of Chairs of Board of GuildHE HEIs
Presence on committees; speaking on behalf of GuildHE members
Data and research requirements
Basic data on students, staff, finance, subject composition and research.