Following the departure of Ian Carter late last month, Sussex will soon begin the recruitment process for a new Director of Research & Enterprise. Director of Planning, David Cole, has been leading the Research & Enterprise division on an interim basis since 1 June.  During that period, he has also been conducting a review of Research & Enterprise at Sussex. The review will complete shortly and its findings provided to the incoming permanent Director.

Chief Operating Officer Tim Westlake, who commissioned the review, says: “As part of the review, a small number of points have come across very clearly to David and myself.

“Firstly, without doubt the Research & Enterprise team are highly regarded by their colleagues throughout the University.

“And secondly, nobody can underestimate the importance of research expertise to the life of the University.

“In reviewing, we have been listening - and what we have heard will inform our thinking as we go forward with plans for the future.”

The new Director will undertake the duties of the previous post-holder however there will also be a greater focus on business engagement as well as executing on opportunities in relation to the UK’s Industrial Strategy. In addition, the post-holder will be looking ahead to the Knowledge Exchange Framework requirements as laid out by the Government.

Paul Roberts, Assistant Director of the Doctoral School, will work with colleagues to help the University develop its thinking in relation to business engagement.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Michael Davies commented: “The review we have undertaken and the changes we are implementing are aimed at enhancing the service provided by Research & Enterprise at this important time as we launch our new strategic framework.  We have a strategic ambition to increase our success in obtaining external funding for our research and develop new opportunities for research funding.”

While the recruitment process for a permanent Director of Research & Enterprise is under way, an Interim Director will take on responsibilities for overseeing the division.  The University has appointed Ian McCormick to take on this role.  Ian is an experienced professional who specialises in research and enterprise roles and has worked at a wide range of institutions, including the University of Sheffield, University of East Anglia, Lancaster University and De Montfort University.

Once Ian starts, David Cole will return to his substantive role of Director of Planning, as the University looks to roll out a long-term, integrated budget and planning process.  In addition, David will be working closely with Tim Westlake to create a new Change and Continuous Improvement function within the Planning division, so that the University can be agile, and more effective and efficient in the way we undertake change.

The line management of the Contracts and Intellectual Property team, which currently sits in Research & Enterprise, will move to the General Counsel, Bridget Edminson, who will also recruit other new legal roles into the General Counsel function.