Russell Group appoints new Acting Director

02 February 2017

Dr Tim Bradshaw has been appointed Acting Director of the Russell Group with effect from today (Thursday 02 February).  He will hold this post while the Russell Group Board seeks a new Director General.

The appointment is part of the transition arrangement put in place following Dr Wendy Piatt’s decision to leave the Russell Group, which was announced in December 2016.

Acting Director Dr Tim Bradshaw said:

As Acting Director, I will aim to strengthen the policy and funding environment for our world-class universities.

The policy landscape for higher education in the UK is undergoing a period of significant reorganisation so my immediate priorities will be Brexit, the HE and Research Bill and the Teaching Excellence Framework.

There is also an opportunity to shape Government policy by engaging with the design of the Industrial Strategy. Russell Group universities are anchors for growth, jobs and investment throughout the UK and well placed to help the wider economy grow. However, our success is driven by being able to attract and retain talented staff and students from across the globe, not just from the UK. We must protect that with long-term reassurances for EU staff and students and an immigration policy that prioritises students, highly skilled academics and specialists with key areas of expertise.

For domestic students it is important to reiterate that our universities are committed to widening participation. Our members work with schools and colleges throughout the country to ensure that talented and able students from all backgrounds can aspire to a place at a Russell Group university.

Tim has a wealth of experience working within the sectors of higher education, business and government. He will lead the Russell Group in providing representation, strategic direction, policy development and advocacy for the UK’s 24 research-intensive universities.

He has worked at the Russell Group for four-and-a-half years before taking up this role - holding the senior positions of Head of Policy for Research and Innovation, and later Director of Policy. Tim’s time in these roles, as an instrumental part of Russell Group’s policy development, has given him a comprehensive knowledge of the higher education sector.

Tim joined the Russell Group in 2012 from the CBI where he was Head of Group, leading work on Industrial Strategy, Manufacturing, competitiveness, university-business collaboration, and science & technology policy.

Sir David Greenaway, Chair of the Russell Group welcomed the appointment: 

Tim is a highly respected policy analyst with the skills and experience we need to lead our team in responding to an unprecedented change agenda.  I look forward to working with him.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1.        Further announcements will be made with regard to the recruitment process for a new Director General.

2.        The Russell Group’s position on The Industrial Strategy, Higher education and Research Bill and Brexit can be found on the website.