Union Expresses Dismay Over University Head’s New Government Role Amid Job Cuts

The University and College Union (UCU) has called for a university vice chancellor to “get his own house in order” before assuming a new government position. This demand follows the appointment of Professor John Latham, Vice Chancellor of Coventry University, as a non-executive director by the Department of Business and Trade. The UCU expressed its “dismay” regarding this appointment, which occurred after Coventry University revealed plans to eliminate 92 jobs, informing staff that they would “have to pay the price for the university’s failures.” When contacted by the BBC, the university chose not to comment on the union’s remarks. Anne O’Sullivan, a UCU regional official, stated: “In the build-up to Christmas, management have told staff they will have to pay the price for the university’s failures and threatened them with job losses.” She added, “Prof Latham should focus on getting his own house in order before taking on additional roles for the government.” Furthermore, the university confirmed that several staff members would be moved to a different company within its organizational group, which would necessitate their departure from the Teacher’s Pension Scheme (TPS). The UCU had previously asserted that over 100 staff positions were at risk, with an additional 200 employees facing contract transfers. The university verified that Professor Latham’s government appointment entails offering advice, support, and scrutiny concerning the department’s operations, concurrently with his ongoing responsibilities as vice chancellor. Professor Latham expressed that he was “honoured” by the appointment, further stating that he had “developed considerable expertise to help scrutinise and advise government policy.”