Senior staff changes at UAL

by Sheena Avcu & Laura Brooks

Four senior members of staff at UAL are to leave their posts, it has been announced.

Mike Matfin – Director of Enterprise, Clive Bane – Director of Human Resources, and Will Bridge – UAL’s Deputy Rector, are all due to retire over the coming year.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Richard Brow, Director of Communications and Development for UAL, left his post in mid January after more than seven years in the role.

“Richard made many significant contributions to the university during his time here,” a statement released by the university said.

“We shall take this opportunity to consider our fundraising, communications, alumni relations and related activities. In order to lead the review of these areas of work and to ensure the effective management of the Department of Communications and Development, pending the recruitment of a new Director, Denise Searle has joined us as interim Director of Communications and Development.”

'Tremendous contributions'

Nigel Carrington, the rector of UAL, paid tribute to Matfin, Bane and Bridge, saying that they had “made tremendous contributions over their long careers with us and will be missed"

"The University will be recruiting for their successors in due course, and will ensure a smooth hand over period," Carrington said.

Mike Matfin, who has been the Director of Enterprise since 2002, began his career as a lecturer at the London College of Printing (now LCC) in 1974.

Mike will be retiring in August and said: “I’ve enjoyed my time working at the University very much and have worked with some really wonderful people over the years.”

Clive Bane has led the Human Resources department since 1995 and will be retiring towards the end of this year.

Speaking to Arts London News, Bane will spend his retirement “building up a portfolio of consultancy work in human resources as well as undertaking charity work”.

Will Bridge has been Deputy Rector since 2007, but began as Head of London College of Communication in 1995. He is due to retire in early 2011.

The directorial changes come in the midst of a huge staff upheaval at the university, including numerous job cuts.

Furthermore, the alterations come in the wake of staff costs breaching the £120 million mark in 2009 - more than 60 per cent of the university's overall expenditure.