Salary for UAL's rector bumped up

by Adam Leyland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The salary of the University of the Arts London (UAL) rector has been increased by more than £4,500 this year, despite the university facing staff cuts and student fee increases.

The Board of Governors at UAL has agreed to increase Nigel Carrington's salary by 1.95 per cent, bringing his new salary to £239,175.

The Times Higher Education publishes university staff salaries every year.

Arts London News also found that 13 senior managers at the University are paid more than £100,000, which is £35,000 more than the average MP's salary, according to parliament.uk. 

Earning higher than the PM

Carrington, who in his role sets policies and is ultimately responsible for the university as a whole, is now earning nearly £100,000 more than Prime Minister David Cameron, who makes £142,500.

However, Carrington's wage is considerably lower than that of Vice-Chancellors at elite universities such as Oxford or Cambridge, whose average yearly earnings are £330,000.

Comparatively, the average salary of full time academic staff at UAL is £54,636, according to 2011 figures in The Times Higher Education.

Across the higher education sector, some senior figures have begun reviewing their pay packets in light of an economic environment, which has seen cuts to budgets and teaching staff.

"Taking the lead"

Malcolm Grant, Rector of University College London took a pay cut of 10 per cent in 2010, and said that he wished to “take the lead in responding to the acute financial pressures on Britain's world-class universities.”

“The government has launched a programme of significant cuts in university budgets, and these risk endangering world-class institutions which contribute billions to the nation's economy.

“It is going to take a concerted effort to maintain their global competitiveness, including much tighter housekeeping measures,” he said.

Teachers and students at UAL have also voiced concern upon hearing the news of Carrington's pay increase.

“I think unless he is taking on more roles within the university, then there is no reason for it to increase,” said 1st year BA Public Relations student Rory Jepp, 22.

BA 1st year Advertising student Calum Wright, 20, said: “I can't see the head of university having any more responsibility than say, the Prime Minister, and yet he's paid more.

“It is hard to justify that kind of pay when students are seeing such huge fee increases,” he said.

A university spokesman told ALN: ""Nigel Carrington received a 1.95% pay rise for the current academic year (2011/12). This was the first pay increase he has received since he was appointed in 2008."