Email sent to all FD staff from Ann Allen, Director of Campus Innovation and Development, on Friday 31 March.

I’m starting this month with a big thank you for supporting the Employee Engagement Survey. I’m pleased to say that 53% of FD staff took part which compares very favourably with other teams across the University.

The results of the survey are being collated by the University and we will use the FD People and Culture group (P&C), part of Our Way Ahead, to undertake some initial analysis of the FD results and share the findings in the coming weeks.

We are committed to finding ways for everyone to be heard. I’m really pleased that the P&C group led by Rob Wadsworth and with representatives from across all of our services is now well-established. A proposal to form a Staff Voice group is their first task – Rob and I will be able to tell you more about that in April.

The end of another term

As we reach the end of another term, it’s been wonderful to see so many more students back on campus. This brings more work, and particular thanks to Catering who I know are getting much busier. Their support around the cost of living initiatives and the £2.95 meal offer is much appreciated. These are still available to everyone and are fantastic value for money.

Looking ahead to the summer term, we know that it will be a busy one with the usual round of exams, graduation and repurposing the campus for conferences and other events. Increasing numbers of staff are back on campus which prompts us to think about how we are using our spaces and whether they are fit for purpose. The pilot scheme for hybrid meeting rooms – launching in May – is one of the ways that we are addressing this. Thanks to Andrea Kerridge, Jon Stothard and the teaching space support team for all their work.

Collaboration across the FD

There are some lovely examples of collaboration to celebrate this month. Examples include the building of HELIX, a new space in E.C Stoner for staff and students to develop ideas for how digital tools can be used to enhance teaching and learning. Thanks to Sarah Bacsich and team for managing this complex build with multiple stakeholders against the backdrop of the Digital Universities UK Conference which the University is hosting from 17-20 April.

The Security team have led an initiative to donate more than 300 bicycles abandoned on campus to a charity which helps train people in prison to repair them. A great result.

Congratulations

Also, congratulations to Ian Robertson and all of the team in Residential Services for their sector-leading scores in the Investors in Students survey. This is a testament to the hard work of many teams, particularly those in student-facing roles in our halls and within our Residence Life team. The data gathered will be used to set objectives to continue to improve the experience of living in halls.

Congratulations to Katie Clegg from Sustainability who has recently been appointed to the position of Director of Sustainability at Leeds Trinity University. While we are sad to see Katie leave, she goes knowing she has made a huge contribution to the University’s approach to sustainability.

We are also saying goodbye to Sara Hayes, our Interim Deputy Director of Estates & Facilities (Campus Services) who is retiring next month. Sara has made a real difference in her short time in the FD and I know that we will all miss her expert advice and energy. She has many exciting adventures planned and we will get a chance to mark both her and Katie’s departures in the coming weeks. Details to follow.

And finally, to those celebrating Ramadan, I wish you a peaceful and joyful month.

Ann Allen,
Director of Campus Innovation and Development