SUMS undertook the first external review of the governance framework, including academic governance. This was to ensure it continued to support and guide the organisation effectively, complied with regulatory requirements and reflected good practice.
Supporting your governance, risk and compliance
Contact us about governance, risk and complianceHigher education providers operate in a highly complex and regulated environment. In the current financial context, monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory obligations has never been more important. Offering a high-quality student experience and maintaining financial sustainability to deliver value for money are crucial.
Effective governance, compliance and risk management is the governing body’s responsibility. Boards are expected to actively seek assurance that governance is robust and effective, which makes receiving the right information a priority. They must be aware of both the manner in which they comply and the risks of failure to comply.
All of this is in the context of an ongoing trend for academic reshaping and restructuring. Many universities are moving away from traditional academic department structures to models that combine multiple disciplines. In some cases universities are closing subjects, departments or faculties that are not financially viable.
Our approach
Our experts start with a positive and pragmatic approach to effective change management. We focus on your priority areas of academic governance and involve your key stakeholders.
We use a systems approach to analyse your current situation. Then we provide recommendations to improve your culture of governance and compliance, empowering your people to take responsibility within a clear, comprehensive and well-communicated framework. We’ll also bring in good practice and recommendations from our experience with other universities who have undertaken similar work.
We understand that maintaining effective academic governance can be challenging. Typical concerns include a lack of consistent reporting, unnecessary bureaucracy and a lack of clarity about decision-making. Our approach will help you provide assurance that you have appropriate arrangements in place and risks are adequately managed.
Our support can cover a wide range of areas, such as:
- assessing whether your governance framework is fit for purpose, during times of business as usual and periods of change or transition
- reviewing codes of practice, assessment and feedback procedures
- course and module approval and amendments
- looking at your approach to monitoring and periodic reviews
- navigating the detailed conditions of Office for Students registration and campus set up
- reviewing board and committee operations and support
Our expertise
Our experts and consultants have supported many higher education providers to review their governance, compliance and risk approach, to ensure they are fit for purpose. We have direct experience of supporting universities who are optimising their academic operations and considering other radical solutions, such as reviewing programme complexity or consolidation of schools, campuses and universities.
We’ve also worked with new providers entering the market, supporting them to navigate the process for Office for Students registration and campus set up.
Examples of our work and impact
External Review of Governance – SP Jain London School of Management
Business School Merger – University of St Andrews
SUMS consultants supported the university during the transition period of the merger of the existing School of Management and School of Economics and Finance into a new Business School. Our involvement helped to ensure business readiness for change.
Compliance review – University of Bath
SUMS supported the university in a high-level review of its compliance activities, covering the areas of leadership, oversight and assurance; resourcing and knowledge management; risk management and reporting.
Review of approach to strategic risk – SOAS, University of London
SUMS consultants partnered with SOAS to rationalise their high-level strategic risks. We developed an updated strategic risk register, risk policy and internal guide, along with an action plan of further improvements for the team to follow.