Professor John Porter, Chair of the University College Plymouth St. Mark and St. John and of the GuildHE’s Practical Governance Network commented: “Vice Chancellors and Principals have their pay determined by separate remuneration committees composed of key members of the governing body taking an independent view. They undertake an objective consideration and ensure the pay is proportionate to the scope and scale of the responsibilities. Some of the significant changes in an institution as it develops – for example gaining degree awarding powers – will be recognised in the pay for its leader. These individuals play significant roles within their different communities as well as taking responsibility for their staff and students. Nearly two years have passed since the remuneration committees determined the 2008/09 pay increases reflected in the survey. Now everyone is conscious of the present economic climate, and the current and future pressures on funding within the higher education sector. The latest and future pay outcomes for institutional leaders across the sector during this next period reflect the current financial context.”
 
Alice Hynes Chief Executive Officer of GuildHE commented: “These past payments have been well-deserved – the hard work and commitment heads give to lead their institutions in difficult times require high levels of skill and often deep subject knowledge. They also contribute to the good order of various communities within higher education and outside. Heads of Institutions that have changed status to university or university college now carry new levels of academic autonomy, which is recognised appropriately in pay increases. The range of salaries reflects the diversity of institutions in the ecology of HE and the scale of resources for which they take responsibility.”

Notes

1. GuildHE/UCEA/UUK have gathered information on salaries of heads of institutions for 2009-2010. Of 104 institutions able to respond, 78 have confirmed uplifts for Vice-Chancellors and Principals. The median average was 0.5% for 2009-10 with 70% of Vice-Chancellors and Principals agreeing to uplifts of 0% or 0.5%.

2. The Universities and Colleges Employers Association’s (UCEA) analysis of the actual remuneration increases received by Heads of Institutions in 2008-09 shows a median increase of 8.9%. This figure is based on a comparison of the reported remuneration increases of the 133 Heads of Institution who remained in post over the period.