SUMS Consulting: Shaping the Future of HE

Lessons from the UK’s First Multi-University Group with The University of Greenwich and University of Kent, hosted by SUMS Consulting

EVENT DETAILS

In-person event at 12 Bloomsbury Square, London WC1A 2LP on Thursday 15 October 2026. 2:00pm-4:30pm.

SUMS Consulting is pleased to invite executive leaders from across its member institutions to an in-person event. We will be exploring a new and different approach to institutional merger: the innovative federated partnership created by the University of Greenwich and University of Kent – the London and South East University Group.

From 1 August 2026 the two universities will share a single governing body, executive team and academic board, whilst each keeps its own name, campuses and identity. The structure is closest to the multi-academy trusts now common in schools, on a significant scale: around 47,000 students and roughly £600 million in income. The Office for Students has supported the move and pointed to the group model as a route other institutions may need to consider as financial pressure builds across the sector.

Professor Jane Harrington, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, and Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura, Acting Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Kent will set out the strategic case for the group, the leadership decisions behind it, and the early lessons from turning the idea into a working institution. They will also be candid about the hard parts: the pressures driving structural change across the sector, the staff and cultural questions a group raises, and the scrutiny that comes with going first.

The event will combine presentations with a roundtable discussion designed to spark debate, encourage open exchange and collective learning across the sector. Delegates will have the chance to discuss confederated merger along with other approaches to large-scale transformation, including other structural options and shared services models, based on best practice and emerging thinking in higher education.

What you will take away:

• a clear view of when a group model is the right answer, and when shared services or other structures serve better




• the governance and leadership decisions that made it work, and the ones the speakers would approach differently




• an honest account of the obstacles, from regulatory approval to staff engagement, and how they were handled




• a peer-level discussion you can draw on before you face the same questions.

The event is free and open to colleagues across SUMS member institutions, and places are limited. Registration takes a minute, and we will confirm your place by email.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This event is designed for senior executives making decisions about long-term, sustainable and structural change in their institutions:

• Vice-Chancellors considering strategic transformation options

• Chief Operating Officers and Chief Financial Officers managing constrained resources




• Chief Transformation Officers planning and leading strategic change

• Registrars and planning directors driving institutional resilience

• Chairs, Vice Chairs and Committee Chairs of Governing councils, requiring robust evidence for decision-making

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

Online registrations will close at 12.30pm on Friday 9 October 2026

This session is designed for senior professionals working in higher education institutions. Places are limited and are FREE for SUMS Members and SUPC members. You can check if your institution is a SUMS member here and SUPC member here.

Please 'REGISTER' above to secure your place using your ac.uk email address. Joining instructions will be sent nearer to the event.

NEED HELP?

For assistance and queries, please contact marketing@sums.ac.uk

If you’ve missed the registration deadline but would still like to attend, please get in touch with us directly at marketing@sums.ac.uk

This event, hosted by SUMS Consulting, is just one of the many benefits of our unique membership model. SUMS Membership offers excellent value for money, providing access to our management consultancy services, expert staff, extensive knowledge base, and a wide range of events designed to support learning, professional development, and networking.