The North East Institute of Higher Education Annual Review 2005/06

AELOD O / MEMBER OF Contents

Page 1 Foreword by Trefor Jones CBE

Page 2 Introduction by Professor Michael Scott

Page 4 Year in Brief

Page 5 Market Led

Page 8 Student Centred

Page 10 University

Page 12 International Significance

Page 14 Open to All

Page 15 Sustainability

Page 17 NEWI and the Welsh Language

Page 18 Performance

Page 19 NEWI’s Board of Governors

Page 21 Corporate Governance

Page 23 Financial Statements Foreword by Trefor Jones CBE

I am delighted to present this Annual Review for the academic year 2005/06. As you will see from the pages that follow this was a particularly exciting and eventful year for the Institute.

One problem when producing an Annual Review is deciding what to include and what to leave out. This year has been no exception. In common with all other higher education institutions, many developments take a number of years to come to fruition as associated activities are spread across a number of years. Consequently, we have been a little flexible with the timescale for this Review and have included an update for events following August 2006 where appropriate.

You will also notice that this year the Review follows the five aspects of the Institute’s vision. It also provides reports on the Institute’s progress against key performance indicators and contains reports on the Institute’s sustainability performance and progress against the Institute’s Welsh language scheme. Corporate governance and financial statements are also included. Trefor Jones CBE Chairman of NEWI’s The stories and statistics provided in this Review pay Board of Governors testament to the tremendous work undertaken by all the staff and students of the Institute. I am very grateful for all their hard work and dedication and I look forward to another successful year at NEWI.

Vision and Mission

NEWI is a full member of the University of Wales and it or its Values predecessors have been providing higher education to the • Respect for the individual, for the expression of ideas and people of Wrexham and North East Wales for nearly 120 years. the pursuit of knowledge; During that time its character like that of the community it serves has changed, although its commitment to the people of • Education, academic and professional integrity; Wrexham and North East Wales has remained constant. In recent years the character of the Institute has been expressed • Care for students, colleagues and customers and the formally through a number of statements. anticipation of their needs and requirements;

Mission • Organisational commitment to the pursuit of excellence and To provide quality higher education and research in a loyalty to the Institute as a community of learning. welcoming, friendly and supportive environment to meet individual, local, national and international needs.

Vision To become a market led, student centred university of international significance, which is open to all.

This Annual Review examines the Institute’s progress by mapping activities against each element of the vision.

www.newi.ac.uk 1 Introduction by Professor Michael Scott Principal & Chief Executive

A year of growth and celebration Widening Participation and Enterprise activities have never been far away from the agenda and these areas have grown rapidly The past year was one of success and improvement across a over the last 12 months. NEWI had a 28% increase in its student broad range of areas. It saw a growth in NEWI’s student numbers numbers in 2005 many of these students coming from both at the Institute itself and in our collaborative partners; a backgrounds where there is no history of higher education. At the developing research base, increased third mission activities and same time NEWI has been reaching out to businesses with its a higher international reputation. This was supplemented by graduate and student work placement schemes, its organising of continuing improvements to the Institute’s estates and further key business events and its support for graduate start-up high profile visits. companies. The NEWI Innovation Centre, which houses start-up businesses, has been full to capacity almost since it opened and The Institute spent much of the year under scrutiny; a challenge now has a waiting list for potential tenants. which all members of the Institute took seriously. The pathway towards obtaining taught degree awarding powers is always long Research has been taking on an international footing this year and arduous. However, NEWI’s progress towards that goal with visiting professors coming to the Glyn O Phillips continues with confidence and determination. The immense Hydrocolloids Research Centre from India and Japan. Staff from amount of hard work put into that process placed NEWI in good the Institute’s Centre for Applied Internet Research (CAIR) also stead for its imminent quinquennial Institutional Review. organised the first International Internet Technologies and Applications conference in 2005 which attracted delegates and NEWI’s estate has never looked better. Much work has been speakers from all over the world. The Institute is currently spent on landscaping the previously underutilised quadrangle. preparing for its submission for the Research Assessment The result is a delight to students and members of staff and has Exercise in 2008. been developed to support NEWI’s firm commitment to environmental sustainability and increased biodiversity. These October 2005 included a royal visit to open officially the recently considerations were also high on the agenda when the Institute refurbished entrance hall and the Nick Whitehead Theatre. HRH undertook further developments of the campus included a new the Duchess of Gloucester was repeating her mother-in-law’s visit water-based hockey pitch of international standard and a 52 years ago. During her visit the current Duchess was shown the £130,000 investment in a new theatre for the theatre and renovated Nick Whitehead Theatre which has been named after performance degree. The Human Performance Laboratory also Wrexham’s Olympic champion and Fellow of NEWI. The theatre received an investment of £80,000. The new equipment and has been equipped with a state of the art sound system and video facilities will not only be used by the students of the two new link. In addition to its role as a lecture theatre this theatre will now be used for film showings, developing its role as a multi-functional sports degrees, but has also attracted a lot of interest to be used resource for the Institute. as a resource by professional sports people and the Wrexham Maelor Hospital. The North Wales School of Art and Design has The entrance foyer now has a memorial window in the memory of also received a huge investment, totalling nearly one million NEWI’s former Principal Professor J. O. Williams. Other changes pounds, enabling all the art facilities to be housed at Regent are a lift in the foyer which allows visitors easy access to NEWI’s Street which has consequently undergone a major refurbishment art gallery, Gallery 103; a new reception; and a bookings office for and expansion. the sale of tickets for events at NEWI.

NEWI’s commitment to the social and economic development of The Institute’s Welsh language scheme has been approved by the the region and to the building of a wider community of learning in Welsh Language Board and is to be launched officially in Wrexham led it to organise the Wrexham Science and Technology December 2006. It has three main priorities: to increase the Week in collaboration with local partners which enabled the provision of Welsh medium programmes, to ensure that the Wrexham Science Festival to maintain a presence in the town and Institute is able to offer a bilingual service to the public and to in preparation for its full resumption in 2007. NEWI events promote the learning and use of Welsh within the Institute. attracted thousands of people on to the campus across the week Reports on progress are to be submitted to HEFCW through the with its range of talks, events and the family Scientriffic day. Strategic Plan, to Governors and the Welsh Language Board through annual reports and to the general public through the Institute’s Annual Review.

2 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education Introduction by Professor Michael Scott Principal and Chief Executive

The Institute continues to provide an important gateway into higher education for many from a socially excluded background. Its student profile differs significantly from traditional universities. 70% of its students come from families with incomes of £17,000 or less. 12% of the full-time student population is in receipt of the Disabled Students Allowance, compared to a UK average of 4% and a Welsh average of 5%. Yet against this background over 90% of the Institute’s full-time students are in meaningful employment within six months of graduating from NEWI. The Institute was also able to ensure that the number of students on NEWI programmes and number of credits including franchise partners rose to record levels.

The year also saw recognition of the Institute’s research and scholarship and its market based nature. In a league table of institutions in Wales whose work is cited by other academics NEWI came second only to Cardiff University.

Throughout 2005/6 there was a range of initiatives and developments which continue to demonstrate NEWI’s proactive approach to learning and teaching. NEWI had three projects accepted by the Change Academy and two development projects with the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE). In June 2006 the Institute was awarded a LFHE Fellowship.

In order to enhance learning and teaching excellence and promote best practice the Institute introduced its own Fellowship scheme in 2006. Four Fellowships for Learning and Teaching were made available, with each Fellowship involving a six month secondment. In addition the Institute made available four Fellowships to support research and one Fellowship to support an organisational development project. Two staff were also awarded Harris Manchester Fellowships, providing NEWI staff with the opportunity to undertake research projects at the University of Oxford.

It has been a year of achievement, celebration and growing confidence which will put NEWI in a strong position for a positive future.

Professor Michael Scott Principal & Chief Executive

www.newi.ac.uk 3 Year in Brief

Helen James Welsh Woman of the Year NEWI’s belief that its staff are its greatest asset was reinforced in 2005 by the awarding of the prestigious title of Welsh Woman of the Year for Science and Technology to Helen James, Academic Director of Science and Technology at NEWI. The award recognised Helen’s personal struggle to build a successful career in the male dominated world of engineering and her continuing efforts to encourage more women to take up the challenge of a career in science and technology.

Calon FM Licence Wrexham has got its own Community Radio Station, Calon FM, based at NEWI. The studio was first opened by Ian Lucas MP in May 2004 and since then the station has broadcast on a number of short licences often focusing on and supporting particular community events happening in the Wrexham area. The studio has provided a useful resource for NEWI students and for the wider community with many school children from the local area using the facilities.

Human Performance Laboratory Refurbishment and Research Use Students on the Sport & Exercise Science programmes benefited from a huge investment in new Human Performance Laboratory facilities and equipment. In a complete refurbishment costing over £80,000 the Human Performance Laboratory underwent a massive facelift. The space was completely transformed in to a bright and airy, work friendly space and state-of-the art equipment has been installed.

Internet Conference Making the Internet faster and more secure were two of the issues high on the agenda at a major international conference on the Internet held at NEWI. NEWI’s Centre for Applied Internet Welsh Livery Guild Student Award Research (CAIR) hosted A NEWI Applied Art student has been selected for a prestigious an international travel scholarship, which meant that she received a £1000 travel conference on Internet scholarship from the Welsh Livery Guild which enabled her to fulfil Technologies and a lifelong ambition of travelling to Africa to research and study the Applications (ITA05). techniques used by African artists. The conference was opened by Wrexham’s MP, Ian Lucas, and drew together researchers and developers from all fields of Internet computing and engineering.

4 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education Year in brief

Japanese Research Professor Art School Developments and Art Students NEWI’s prestigious Glyn O Phillips Hydrocolloids Research Centre Success Stories has a new Visiting Professor. Professor Katsuyoshi Nishinari from Talent scouts visited the Final Year Art Show at NEWI’s North Japan will spend two years in North Wales carrying out very Wales School of Art and Design to view students’ art work. The specialist research at the Centre which is an international talent scouts were from Cosgrove Hall Film Studios in Manchester bioscience research centre; dedicated to researching and and came to view the students’ animation work with a view to identifying natural materials which can be used for a wide range offering them future employment. Cosgrove Hall Film Studios of purposes from medical uses to various uses in food. Professor have produced many famous animations including children’s Nishinari is visiting from the Department of Food Science and television favourites Dangermouse, Postman Pat and Wind in the Nutrition at Osaka City University and is an internationally Willows and the animated feature film of Roald Dahl’s BFG. renowned scientist. He is currently the President of the Society of Rheology in Japan and in August 2005 he was awarded the Japan Premier Award in Food Science for his innovative contribution to the industry.

Royal Opening of Nick Whitehead Theatre and Foyer NEWI’s refurbished entrance hall and the Nick Whitehead Theatre were opened by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester who took the opportunity to view some of the artwork by NEWI students. The entrance foyer has undergone some dramatic developments including the creation of a memorial window in the memory of NEWI’s former principal Professor J. O. Williams, designed by Anne Smyth, a leading artist in the field of glass. The window represents Professor Williams’ life in abstract, using images from his successful years of research in advanced materials.

At the opening of the Nick Whitehead Theatre, HRH the Duchess of Gloucester was entertained by the Bangra Boys, a group of Bangladeshi students (above) and met members of Professor Nick Whitehead’s family (below).

www.newi.ac.uk 5 Market Led

Introduction The inclusion of job seeking and enterprise modules in many programmes also means that students are thinking about their NEWI defines being market led as having the ability to careers from an early stage and are able to present themselves in understand, anticipate and respond to the needs of students, a manner suitable to potential employers. business, public bodies, governments, sector skills councils, further education partners and the wider community. This is Behind all the work in achieving the Institute’s enviable record on achieved through providing high quality, timely and flexible higher employability is the Careers Centre. This has expanded education with an emphasis on foundation degrees, professional considerably over the past five years reflecting the Institute’s development, research and specialist services. growing emphasis on employability.

Success in these areas is measured by reference to the For NEWI the employability of its graduates is an integral part of employability rates of NEWI graduates and progress in this area its mission. Its work is this area is not directed at obtaining is shown in the first article given below. headline figures, but at making an important contribution to the social and economic development of the region. The 91% figure The second example of how the market led vision is being put into for students obtaining full-time meaningful employment should be practice shows how NEWI’s industrial links not only ensure the read in conjunction with another statistic that 67% of the currency of the Institute’s provision but also how these can Institute’s Welsh domiciled students come from families on the provide immediate benefits for the industrial partners. lowest recognised income bracket. Yet, as the employment figures show, most of this group are able to take their first The third article examines another aspect of the Institute’s market important steps on building successful careers as a result of their led vision, research. With no research council funding NEWI is experience at NEWI. forced to rely on individual commercial contracts. The success of research therefore at NEWI is wholly dependent on being a market led institution. Significant investment such as that by the Aeronautical Apprenticeship Takes Off Japanese food giant San Ei Gen is a sign of success in this area. A new foundation degree in aeronautical engineering was The end of the twentieth century and start of the twenty-first have launched in September 2005 as a result of collaboration between seen as much emphasis being placed on the protection as on the NEWI, Deeside College and Airbus UK to support Airbus’s generation of intellectual property. The third article explains how apprenticeship scheme. This ground-breaking programme was NEWI is working with industrial partners to realise the commercial the first foundation degree developed between a higher benefits of their latest development. education institution, a further education institution and an industrial partner within the higher education apprenticeship Education that gets you to work scheme. The majority of students at NEWI are undertaking their studies in The programme completes the training framework for Airbus UK order to improve their job prospects. Their choice of studying at and allows for the progression of the company’s employees from NEWI is therefore not just based on the academic expertise and sixteen all the way through to the point where they can obtain excellent facilities that are offered at the Institute but also on its Chartered Engineer status. This new system will allow Airbus UK employability record and the vocational nature of its programmes. employees to study the academic programme appropriate for their current qualifications and experience. With 91% of its graduates entering full-time meaningful employment or further studies within six months of graduating, Foundation degrees, like the one offered at Airbus, are an NEWI’s record in this area exceeds most other higher education essential element of NEWI’s relationship with industry. Combining institutions in the UK. NEWI’s success in this area is attributed to work-based learning with the rigorous academic discipline ensuring programmes offer what employers want, thereby required of any degree programme, foundation degrees provide making the Institute’s graduates highly sought-after recruits. This students with the skills employers want as well as the opportunity is achieved through involving employers in the design, monitoring for progression to honours degrees and postgraduate studies. and, where appropriate, delivery of programmes.

Working closely with professional bodies also ensures the skills NEWI’s graduates have are widely recognised and valued. It also means the skills are transferable between different employers so as not to restrict the graduate’s choice of career.

6 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education Market Led

NEWI’s leading role in the provision of foundation degrees in The project led to the development and launch of a new product, Wales led it to organise a Work-based Learning conference held Glucovis, in conjunction with an established Harrow based in October 2006 and attended by delegates from industry and the company Chesham Chemicals Limited (CCL) which has a brand academic and political worlds. The key note speakers at the event presence in Europe and the United States. Glucovis is a polymer were Steven Jackson Director of Reviews at the Quality blend of the two natural polymers Konjac Mannan (a Assurance Agency, Dame Sandra Burslem former Vice- polysaccharide derived from a tuber found in south east Asia) and Chancellor at Manchester Metropolitan University and Professor Xanthan gum (a polysaccharide derived from the bacteria Derek Longhurst, Director of Foundation Degree Forward. Xanthomonas campestris). These produce a thermo reversible gel with the required properties to form the basis of cosmetic From Concept to Cash products such as shampoos, lotions and creams. Being a market led institution, NEWI not only has to ensure the currency of its academic provision but also to ensure that it is at the forefront of pioneering research and development projects. The commercial potential of these research and development projects is investigated with the support of Patent and Proof of Concept Projects (PPOC) funding formerly by the Welsh Development Agency and now by the Welsh Assembly Government. Among NEWI’s PPOC projects is one to develop the intellectual property for the specific application of gas plasma technology for medical sterilisation. A plasma generating method has been developed and niche market identified. PPOC also funded an investigation into the commercial exploitation of water soluble polymers based on research and development work was carried out by NEWI’s Water Soluble Polymers Group, part of the Centre for Advanced and Renewable Materials (CARM).

The wings for the Airbus 380 are made at Airbus’ Deeside site.

www.newi.ac.uk 7 Student Centred

Introduction One student who successfully completed the programme is Carole Binnersley. A resident of Caia Park all her life, Carole had As a student centred institution NEWI is committed to developing never thought of the possibility of studying for a degree. On the a learning culture in which the student takes greater control over Progression Programme, Carole covered a range of subjects the pace, content and assessment of their own educational including communication and study skills, information provision with the institutional academic and personal support technology, sociology, psychology, research and numeracy. She necessary to reduce the barriers to achievement. believes participating in the programme helped build her confidence and helped her to focus on her career aims. Success in this area will be measured in two ways. First achievement rates will be examined to evaluate the number of “Although the workload was tough at times I think I’ve coped students for whom involvement in higher education has brought quite well. There were a few sticky moments, but I persevered some measure of success. Success may not always be counted and things got easier.” solely in terms of awards received, but may also take into account individual achievements by students for whom the idea of “I think this programme was excellent preparation for me to study studying in higher education had never been is entertained. In on the degree programme. Not only did it give me all the skills determining the achievement rate NEWI has used the number of needed to be able to start the programme at the same level as students leaving the Institute with an award. This may range from everyone else, but it also gave me the confidence to apply. Before HE credits to a first class honours degree. It also records, that I had never thought of going to university. That was an alien therefore the number who either failed or withdrew from their world to me. But this programme showed me that I could do it.” programme. Using these statistics NEWI is able to quote an achievement rate for undergraduate programmes in excess of “I am currently enjoying my studies on the BA (Honours) Criminal 90%. A fuller breakdown of the achievements of graduates is Justice and I look forward to completing the degree and hope to given below. pursue a career in either counselling or the probation service.”

The second measure is the Institute’s student retention rates. NEWI Graduate Profile Having given people the opportunity to study, NEWI is obliged to ensure that as far as possible, potential obstacles to completing The annual review of the degree classifications once again gave their studies are removed. For the academic year 2005/06 the interesting reading for the academic year 2005/06. 45% of all withdrawal rate for full-time students stood at 6.2% and for part- NEWI graduates in that year received a first and upper second time students at 4.9%. class (2:1) honours degree with women representing 57% of that total. This figure means that women have slightly outperformed The articles given below show a number of examples of NEWI their male counterparts as the percentage of all women graduates putting the student centred aspects of the vision into practice. at NEWI stands at 55%. The first deals with the story of a student from one of Western Europe’s most deprived areas who through personal commitment The older student profile of the Institute meant that 35% of all and the support offered over a long period by NEWI, has finally graduates were over 25. However, this group performed better won a place at the Institute on a degree programme. than their younger colleagues with 44% of the first and upper second class degrees being awarded to graduates who The second story looks at some statistical evidence on the were over 25. academic success of students from Communities First areas while the third and fourth stories examines individual examples of Low participation and Communities First areas were well success achieved by the Institute’s alumni. represented within the graduate population accounting for 25% of all NEWI graduates in this year. 16% of all first and 2:1s were Realising a Dream awarded to students from low participation or Communities First areas. As part of HEFCW’s Reaching Wider initiative, NEWI has organised a pilot two year project to equip mature students with Thirteen percent of all NEWI graduates had some form of the knowledge and skills to enable them to apply for appropriate disability, a figure which is mirrored in the number of first and 2:1 programmes at NEWI or any other higher education institution. degrees awarded to disabled students. The Caia Park Progression Programme is aimed at the Communities First and Urban II areas of Wrexham who are The international nature of NEWI can be seen in the fact that not able to take advantage of the existing entry routes into nearly 19% of all degrees awarded in this year were awarded to higher education. European Union or international students.

8 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education Student Centred

NEWI Alumni: Movie Magic NEWI Alumni: From C Corridor to the NEWI art and design graduates Mark Kendrix and John Bloxham Corridors of Power have set up their own Wrexham based company and brought One of the most interesting features, for NEWI, of the 2005 some of the glitz and glamour of the film industry to the town in General Election, was the election to the House of Commons for June 2006. Frozen Moon Productions Ltd is based in NEWI’s the first time of an alumnus of NEWI. Innovation Centre and offers a range of services within the fields of animation, film and design. is the new Labour MP for Denton and , near The company produces stunning animations and films which Stockport. Originally from Denton, capture people’s attention, helping businesses to advertise Andrew came to NEWI in 1993 on a through promotional films which can be put onto DVD and joint degree programme with the websites. They have worked with local authorities producing University of Salford. corporate and training films, record labels to produce music videos and the BBC and other television channels to produce Almost immediately after leaving NEWI content for broadcasting as well as with a variety of private sector he took a seat on companies. Some of their clients have included S4C, Propeller Council holding TV, Wirral Borough Council, Wrexham County Borough Council the Denton West ward. Not satisfied and Kelloggs. with local politics, Andrew soon had his eye on Westminster and in 2005 he succeeded Andrew Bennett as MP for his home seat.

It did not take Andrew long to get noticed in Westminster. Within a few weeks he had made his maiden speech and in November 2005 he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of State at the Home Office, the Right Honourable Baroness Scotland QC.

NEWI will be watching Andrew’s progress with a great deal of interest over the next few years.

Above right, Andrew Gwynne MP

Above, Carole Binnerdley (l) receiving a Reaching Higher Reaching Wider certificate from Wendy Bates, Widening Access Manager

Right, new Humanities graduates celebrating their success

www.newi.ac.uk 9 University

Introduction The use of old photographs has often been overlooked by family and local historians lacking, as the majority of photographs do, This aspect of the Institute’s vision concentrates on the definitive dates or names which would facilitate easy development and maintenance of a university culture on campus incorporation into a family tree. The starting point for the research where the acquisition of knowledge, professional skills, critical has been to investigate how photographs can be approximately thinking and the promotion of a respect for learning are highly dated, through visual clues like fashions, composition and valued and which is recognised as such outside the Institute. photographic techniques. Such approximation, coupled with subsequent age estimates, can then be used to narrow down the In many ways this is the most difficult aspect of the vision to range of text based evidence which need to be examined. These measure. However a number of ancillary effects of the university materials can include birth, marriage and death certificates or culture can be measured and these give some indication of how census reports. the Institute is performing in this area. Primary among these measurements is a calculation of the economic impact of the Another dimension to the research has been that old Institute. This includes not only the direct effect of salaries paid photographs can provide clues to the social status of the by the Institute on the local economy, but also the considerable subjects, using various visual pointers like location, clothing, and contribution made by the Institute’s graduates to the local the symbolic nature of objects contained within the photographs. economy as a result of their studies at NEWI. It also takes into This consideration of status adds a new dimension to family account the improvements to local businesses’ competitiveness research as it provides the enthusiast with an understanding of through improved efficiency as a result of collaborations with the society in which their forefathers lived, or aspired to live. NEWI. An important and easily identified element of this is the Photographs help students to develop an active engagement with income NEWI receives as a result of research and consultancy the past and engage with concepts of collective and popular services. memory. A second element of the university aspect of NEWI’s vision is the requirement to establish and maintain the financial, physical and Promoting Research and Scholarship human resource base required to support NEWI’s mission and The Centre for Pedagogical Research and Scholarship was achieve sustained organisational improvement towards achieving established to support pedagogical culture change the vision and its priorities of employability and contribution to commensurate with the institutional mission and strategic vision. social and economic development. This is measured by reference It forms part of NEWI’s strategic focus on pedagogical research. to sustainability targets and the developing staff profile. Situated in the School of Education and Community, the Centre has an institute-wide remit to promote an active culture of The first of the two examples of how NEWI has been achieving research and scholarship to support high quality teaching and this aspect of its vision, examines scholarly activities, in particular works to advance models of professional practice that encourage some of the work undertaken by students in the School of learning and enhance the student learning experience. Humanities. The second example looks at the latest research centre established at NEWI with the aim of assisting in the The Centre is led by Phil Bassett and its members are Professor development of new and appropriate research and scholarship Patrick Costello, Colette Bleakley and Dr Hilary Fabian. It is techniques across all disciplines. This has been an excellent supported by its associates, Dr Alex Carson and Professor example of the developing relationship between NEWI and the Brenda Smith, Assistant Director of the Higher Education Higher Education Academy, which has set the scene for other Academy and Fellow of NEWI. The Centre undertakes strategic higher education institutions to engage with the Academy. and applied research in the area of education and professional development and supports colleagues in NEWI and in the wider Photographic Memories educational community to contribute to the work of the Centre. This work embraces compulsory and post-compulsory Peter Bolton has recently completed research into the use of old education, as well as higher education, and is informed by the photographs as a resource for teaching local history. This work is different subject-specific cultures and contexts. The Centre uses linked to the Certificate in Family and Community History which is consultancy, research training and mentoring to enable members delivered by the School of Humanities. of staff to begin to publish or seek out and apply for research funding to advance the work of the Centre.

10 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education University

Supporting its work will be a Journal, the first edition of which is scheduled for publication in April 2007.

One example of the Centre’s current success is a collaborative project on ‘Strengthening the nexus between Research, Scholarship and Teaching’, between NEWI, St Mary’s Twickenham and St Mark and St John (MARJON). This relationship was the result of a successful bid to the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE) for £15,000. A further £30,000 was secured from the LFHE by Colette Bleakley who was awarded an LFHE Fellowship to research an appreciative approach to coaching. In addition a recent Mini Project Application to the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Health ‘Exploring the needs of service users involved in planning Above, St Mary’s College, Twickenham and delivering mental health services and education’ was Below left, Wrexham High Street scene late eighteenth century. successful. Below, 1833 map of Wrexham

www.newi.ac.uk 11 International Significance

Introduction Although the programme was aimed specifically at the Polish community, the need for such an introduction became apparent The fourth element of the vision may appear the most challenging. with the recruitment of students from the Czech Republic, It requires NEWI to build an international reputation through France, Spain, Hungary, Bulgaria and even as far as the selectively investing in areas of research excellence, actively Philippines and China, as well as a good number of Polish engaging in the transnational exchange of knowledge and students. experience and contributing to the internationalising of Wrexham and the region through a culturally diverse student body and increased diversity of academic staff. Entering the Global Economy For the past seven years, NEWI has been offering summer school The most difficult element of this aspect is its monitoring. The programmes for students from other member states of the performance indicator identified for this area is the measurement European Union. These have concentrated on a small number of of the Institute’s reputation. mainly technology areas such as Computing, Engineering and Studio Recording. The success of these programmes led the The examples given below cover a number of aspects of the Institute to expand the provision for the summer of 2006 by Institute’s international reputation. The first example looks at a including Business within the summer school programme. successful project to assist migrant workers integrate into Wrexham society. The second example shows the extent of The primary aim of these sessions is to provide additional institutional links with other European countries and how many technical insight into specific areas and to help the participants to students are attracted to NEWI to complete their studies. The develop specialist skills. They also provide an excellent third example details a long standing relationship with Wales’s opportunity for students from outside the UK to improve their twinned country, Lesotho. English and meet people from other countries. The programmes are organised around a series of lectures and seminars from NEWI Welcomes Polish Workers industrialists and academics. This is supplemented by a number of business and cultural visits, all of which adds to the learning The migration of labour throughout the European Union has been experience. a feature of the Union since at least the Treaty of Maastricht, although it has featured in newspaper headlines only since the One of the reasons for expanding the summer school to include eastward expansion of the European Union. Wrexham has long Business was the success of the BBC television programme The had a strong Polish community and it was only natural therefore Apprentice. Sir Alan Sugar’s search for new executives has that many Polish migrant workers came to North East Wales. sparked a new interest in business techniques and project management while at the same time providing considerable Despite the fact that they only intent to stay in North Wales for a entertainment to many millions of viewers. In a similar fashion the short time, many migrant workers want to integrate with the local NEWI Business summer school aims to demonstrate that a community. NEWI’s Social Inclusion Research Unit conducted business education, in addition to being highly valuable on the research into this new section of the community and found that jobs market, can also be an enjoyable and stimulating experience. many of these newcomers take employment below the level of their skills or qualifications. In response to that NEWI devised a It was natural that the Business summer school was offered to a programme which would allow the qualifications and skills held by wider international audience as globalisation sits firmly within the Polish and other Central and Eastern European migrants to be priorities of any business planning today. recognised.

To help them achieve that NEWI organised a short course offering Out of Africa an introduction to British culture. Recruitment to this programme Wales’s overseas involvement, once restricted to Patagonia and presented no difficulties as students on courses for English for the Welsh diaspora, has, in recent years, developed considerably Speakers of Other Languages were anxious to expand their as the Welsh Assembly Government takes its first steps on to the understanding of local customs and practices. international stage. One relationship which has existed for many years is that with Lesotho, the small landlocked country totally The courses themselves were arranged at different times surrounded by South Africa. throughout the week as migrant workers are by definition working.

12 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education International Significance

The moving force behind the relationship has been Dolen Cymru, Following the meeting with Professor Scott, the group met the Wales Lesotho link, which had its first national office in NEWI Professor Odette Parry and other representatives of NEWI’s in the late 1980s. Although the office has now moved to Cardiff, Social Inclusion Research Unit to discuss the greatest problem NEWI’s commitment to the link with Lesotho remains as strong facing Lesotho, that of HIV/AIDS. Not only are the churches in as ever. Lesotho concerned with the social implications of the disaster facing the country as a result of HIV, but they have also many This was seen in October 2005 when the leaders of the four main practical concerns as well, as the churches are responsible for churches in Lesotho visited NEWI as part of a tour of Wales, running the vast majority of schools and hospitals in Lesotho. As which also included visits to the National Assembly, the Cytûn a result of the meeting at NEWI a group from the Social Inclusion cymanfa and a number of churches, schools and religious Research Unit visited Lesotho in March 2007 to undertake a organisations across the country. Bishop Joseph Tsubella of the UNESCO funded study of HIV. Anglican Church in Lesotho, Archbishop Bernard Mohlalisi of the Roman , Reverend John Mokhahlane, leader of the Lesotho Evangelical Church and Reverend Daniel Rantle, President of the Methodist Church met the Principal of NEWI, Professor Scott, who is also Chair of UNESCO Wales. The group was accompanied by Bishop , Roman Catholic and Andrew Parry, secretary of the Dolen Cymru Churches subcommittee.

Right, Lesotho Church leaders at the start of their visit to Wales accompanied by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff the Most Rev , the Church in Wales Archbishop of Wales the Most Rev Barry Morgan and the Chair of the Dolen Cymru Churches Below, NEWI has seen a significant increase in the number of subcommittee and Bishop of Wrexham Rt Rev Edwin Regan. students from China enrolling on programmes.

www.newi.ac.uk 13 Open To All

Introduction Welsh Assembly Government, NEWI’s science discovery centre, Techniquest@NEWI has taken its enthusiasm for science out of NEWI’s commitment to the widening participation agenda and to the campus and across North Wales. developing its role as a major influence in the social and economic development of the region is reflected throughout its vision, Its new Schools Outreach Programme went into 43 schools within nowhere more so than in this aspect. NEWI aims to be a leading the first few months of operation with its blend of workshops, higher education institution in Wales for widening access and planetarium shows and a hands-on mini exhibition covering many participation through delivering accessible, flexible higher different aspects of science, technology and engineering. By July education to anyone who has the potential to benefit from it and 2006 the programme had reached 6,400 pupils and their which rewards progression and academic, personal and teachers. professional achievements at a pace and level conducive to the learner. Schools were not the only venues for the Outreach Programme. A number of other community based activities were included Success in this area is shown by reference to the Institute’s within the schedule and the highlight of the year was the widening participation profile and student recruitment figures. Techniquest@NEWI stand at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Ruthin which Three statistics demonstrate NEWI’s commitment to the widening attracted over 3,000 visitors. participation agenda. In 2005/06 over 98% of all NEWI’s undergraduate entrants came from state schools, 49% came Buoyed by the success of the Outreach Programme, from social classes 4, 5, 6 and 7 and 13.5% of all NEWI’s full-time Techniquest@NEWI was awarded substantial funding to increase undergraduate students were on Disabled Students’ Allowance. the facility further through acquisition of a new planetarium, state- of-the-art digital projection equipment and three new interactive NEWI’s recruitment statistics also demonstrate a confident and shows for schools. These will feature biology, physics and successful institution. The total number of students on NEWI astronomy. Among the new features will be a journey inside programmes in 2005/06 stood at 7,838, an increase of 28% on human cells and a visit to the stars, all without leaving school. In the previous year addition to the shows themselves, participating schools will also receive support materials and professional development for NEWI believes however that widening participation should not be teachers. restricted to those who want to enter higher education on a full programme but should offer people the opportunity to have some experience of higher education. In that respect it aims to extend New Hockey Pitch puts NEWI on the the benefits of higher education to people not attending International Sporting Scene programmes through the development and use of university A new artificial hockey pitch, only the second of its kind in Wales, facilities both on campus and in the wider community. means that NEWI has now become a major venue for international hockey matches. The building work on the water- An important measure of success in this are is through examining based turf pitch was undertaken during the spring and summer the quality of the Institute’s estate and one of the articles below of 2006. provides an example of NEWI’s achievements in this area. The project which cost one million pounds was funded by the The first of the three articles below looks at how Sports Council of Wales and Sport@NEWI and is the first of its Techniquest@NEWI has developed into a leading visitor attraction kind in North Wales. The result is a pitch suitable for national and while at the same time retaining its primary role as an educational international championships as well as for training at all levels. resource. The second example looks at the success of the Institute’s sports facilities in engaging local people in sport and This is the latest feather in the cap of Sport@NEWI, which has becoming a major sporting venue in North Wales. already hosted the Welsh Badminton Championships, European Hockey Championships and the Commonwealth Veteran Fencing The third story deals with the continuing success of the Wrexham Championship. Science Festival and how that has grown to be a permanent fixture in both the science and entertainment calendars. Water based pitches are generally preferred by hockey players to the alternatives because they allow for a faster game. The woven Delivering Science for All fabric which provides the artificial surface acts like grass and Having proved highly successful in its first three years of rests on a cushion of water. Water is sprayed on to the surface of operation and winning a second three year contract from the the pitch before the match and again at half time. Most drains

14 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education Open To All

away, but the water that remains makes for a fast playing surface with fewer friction burns to the players.

Speaking at the initial “cutting the turf” ceremony Professor Michael Scott, Principal of NEWI said, “Obtaining this funding for the pitch will make a huge difference to sport in North Wales. I believe it is important that such facilities are available in North Wales for high quality sporting events and we are proud to have such a facility being built at NEWI. Many people in Wrexham and the surrounding area enjoy sport but miss out on live events because they are so often held in South Wales. Hopefully this will mean more opportunities here in the north of the country.”

Thousands visit NEWI for the 2006 Wrexham Science Festival Bringing people on to the campus and engage in science has Above, the Scientriffic day at the Wrexham Science Festival always been a major feature of the Wrexham Science Festival. The provides a fun day out for all the family. eighth festival which ran from 20 to 25 March 2006 continued the success of previous years attracting thousands on to the campus for a week of talks, demonstrations and exhibitions on science- related topics.

Continuing interest in all things Egyptian meant that one of the most popular events for the adults was the lecture given by Dr Kate Spence, one of the UK’s leading authorities on Egypt who spoke on the impact of Hatshepsut, Egypt’s female king. Similarly a talk on the life and achievements of Michael Faraday by Dr Frank James, one of the Royal Institution’s leading researchers, brought in a highly appreciative and informed audience.

For younger scientists, Pretty Pretty Bang Bang provided an explanation of how fireworks are created accompanied by a suitably impressive firework demonstration and Energy: Snap, Crackle and Bang by NEWI’s Dr Stan Moore demonstrated the use of energy through a number of fun experiments. Other highlights included a series of science fiction films, talks on the science of alcohol and interactive presentations on the science of sound.

The festival culminated in the annual Scientriffic day which attracted families from all over North Wales and beyond. Some of the day’s stars were a bright yellow Burmese python and his fellow reptiles which brought excitement and fear in equal measures. NEWI’s forensic science students’ reconstruction of a crime scene attracted considerable interest as visitors took part in an organised forensic trail.

The atmosphere of the day was added to by Wrexham’s newest radio station Calon FM which broadcasted throughout the day providing visitors with a variety of music and information about the day’s events and exhibits.

www.newi.ac.uk 15 Sustainability

Introduction embedded at both a strategic and operational level. In the opinion of NEWI's internal auditors, the controls governing Risk NEWI has always taken sustainability seriously and integrates it Management, as currently laid down and operated, provide into all aspects of the institution’s business. This has been substantial assurance that risks material to the achievement of supported by the Assembly Government placing considerable the organisation’s objectives for the system are adequately emphasis on sustainability. All higher education institutions are managed and controlled’ now required to report on it as part of their annual returns to HEFCW. Environmental Sustainability Sustainability at NEWI falls into three categories: economic The past few years have seen a major shift in the Institute’s sustainability, business sustainability and environmental attitude toward environmental sustainability. At the forefront of sustainability. These are examined in turn below. this progress has been the Estates department which has implemented a number of changes to start to address the Economic Sustainability environmental agenda. These have initially concentrated on promoting energy efficiency, such as fitting a new, eco-friendly The principal driver in the Institute’s move toward economic heating and hot water boiler system; double glazed windows sustainability is the Strategic Plan. This outlines how the Institute throughout; water efficient push taps and water-free urinals. Day consider how to bring activity, resources and infrastructure into a and night lighting on the corridors has been introduced and steps sustainable balance while optimising outputs and opportunities. have been taken to increase the biodiversity of the estate by Supporting the Strategic Plan NEWI has a Financial Strategy landscaping and planting indigenous plants. NEWI has also which demonstrates the viability and coherence of the Institute’s received an award by the British Astronomical Association for the activities. fitting of new specialised outside lamps which shine down thus reducing light pollution. In particular the Financial Strategy helps the Institute to set priorities and to manage its operations. In performing these tasks Another example of an innovative approach to environmental the Institute is conscious of the financial climate in which it sustainability was in the construction of the new international operates and how this places constraints on the Institute’s ability water-based hockey pitch. One of the conditions of the contract to generate financial surpluses. It also allows the Institute to with the building contractors was that the topsoil removed as part identify its future resource need, an essential element if NEWI is of the construction was to be recycled or reused and not go to a to continue to expand and offer a diverse portfolio of programmes waste landfill site. The topsoil was transported for reuse at a and services. housing development in the Wrexham area for reinstatement work and the formation of gardens. The Strategy also provides a useful foundation upon which NEWI can build partnerships and engage new technologies and The Sustainability Forum was established in 2006 which has strategies to support its development and which inform the representatives from academic and operational department. A Institute’s responses to funding initiatives and opportunities. key focus of activity has been raising the profile of environmental sustainability across the Institute. The curriculum is being In all aspects of the Institute’s Financial Strategy consideration is informed by research and development undertaken by Derek given to maintaining the support of the Institute’s various Jones and David Cheesbrough. stakeholders and to enhancing the university culture of NEWI.

Business Sustainability Other departments have also made progress in meeting the Institute’s environmental responsibilities. One example of this is NEWI maintains a detailed and comprehensive business the adoption by all the Institute’s catering outlets of Fair Trade continuity programme including as an essential item a risk products as preferred products. management process which is continually monitored, regularly updated and is subject to a number of audits. The most recent Environmental sustainability was also the focus of a audit found that the Institute ‘has adopted a proactive approach Staff/Governor workshop held in March 2006. Chaired by to developing and designing risk management processes. Formal Professor Eileen Baker, the workshop reviewed much of the risk management procedures are in place and have become progress that had been made in this area and identified a number integral to the regulatory framework of the organisation. The of areas where further action was required. As a result of that Internal Audit work has identified that the benefits of risk workshop, considerable effort is being put into place to ensure management are recognised by staff within the Institution, and the responsibility for environmental issues is spread across the the evidence supports that risk management has become Institute.

16 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education NEWI and the Welsh Language

Introduction Welsh Medium Programmes In August 2006 the Welsh Language Board approved the NEWI currently has a mall number of programmes where Institute’s Welsh Language Scheme, which had previously been instruction is available through the medium of Welsh, although all approved and adopted by the Board of Governors. The need for students may be assessed in Welsh if they so wish. NEWI’s a scheme had become increasingly apparent as interest across flagship for Welsh medium education are the Criminal Justice Wales in the Welsh language continues to grow at a considerable programmes which use a system of blended learning which rate and as public bodies across the country recognise the value facilitates the use of Welsh medium materials. both in Wales and internationally of working in a bilingual country. The Institute is represented on a number of committees and NEWI’s scheme also complies with the requirements of the Welsh organisations involved in the development of Welsh medium Language Act 1993. programmes. These include the Welsh Medium Higher Education Sector Group, the Steering Group of Mantais and the Welsh As part of the scheme NEWI is required to make regular reports Marketing Managers Group. Through these groups and through on progress in implementing its detailed action plan. These working closely with the Welsh Medium Education Development reports are presented to the Welsh Language Board every Centre, NEWI is seeking to expand the range of Welsh medium summer and to HEFCW as part of the Institute’s Strategic Plan. It programmes offered at the Institute. is also required to include a report on the scheme every year within the Annual Review. All the Institute’s corporate publications are produced bilingually. The Language Scheme and Action Plan set out three areas where the Institute will take action to promote the use of the Welsh language. These areas are:

- to ensure that the Institute is able to offer a bilingual service to the public; - to promote the learning and use of Welsh within the Institute; - to increase the provision of Welsh medium programmes.

A Bilingual Service to the Public In many cases the scheme formalises existing working practice. An example of this is the requirement of staff to respond in Welsh to written communication received in that language. All general communication such as flyers, posters and circulars are all produced bilingually for distribution in Wales and a number of publications, such as the Student Guide, are produced bilingually. The Institute is committed to expanding the number and range of bilingual publications.

Telephone calls received in Welsh are transferred to Welsh speaking staff. NEWI will be providing basic Welsh language training for all reception staff to extend this facility. Greater use of the language will also be introduced into all public events held at NEWI

Opportunities to Learn and Use Welsh For many years NEWI has offered staff and students the opportunity to learn Welsh. Classes continue and have been well supported. These classes cover all levels from absolute beginners to Gloywi programmes for fluent Welsh speakers.

www.newi.ac.uk 17 Performance

Introduction Financial Standing The Institute’s Strategic Plan, which is approved and adopted The Institute maintained its financial category A status meaning annually by the Board of Governors, sets out a series of that the funding council had full confidence in the financial performance targets, progress on which is reported to the Board. management of the Institute. The Board also takes particular interest in the performance targets set out in the Corporate Plan. These have been detailed Each year the Institute publishes its annual accounts which in the sections of this Review looking at each aspect of the vision. contain information on its turnover and operating surplus. This has recorded consistent growth in both areas with the turnover In addition the Board has agreed on three key performance for 2005/06 exceeding £27 million up from £25.5 million for indicators which will give some indication of how the Institute is 2004/05. The operating surplus is also up to £1.6 million from just making progress. These cover the following areas: academic over one million pounds the previous year. As a percentage of standing, financial standing and market share. Each of these turnover this means an increase from 4.5% to 6.1%. Full details areas is looked at in a little more detail below, although individual are given later in this Annual Review. targets are yet to be set.

Academic Standing Market Share One of the most significant decisions of the academic year was Following the departure from the University of Wales of Cardiff that made by the Quality Assurance Agency that NEWI would University the relative position of NEWI within the University of have to undergo a separate Institutional Review in the year Wales has increased significantly. On HESA reported statistics, 2006/07. Preparations were started in the year for the Review NEWI has 11% of all University of Wales undergraduate students. which was scheduled for March 2007. Swansea leads the table with 17% with University of Wales, Bangor and University of Wales, Aberystwyth each on 13%, Note: The Review has been completed although the final report UWIC, University of Wales Lampeter and University of Wales was not published at the time of going to press. NEWI is Newport on 12%, Swansea Institute on 7% and Trinity College confident, however, of a positive and constructive outcome. Carmarthen on 3%.

A review that was undertaken within the academic year was the QAA Special Review of Research and Postgraduate Provision. The result of the review was highly satisfactory for NEWI with high praise and commendations for the Institute’s work in these areas.

18 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education NEWI’s Board of Governors

Trefor Jones (Chair) CBE Lincoln Cathedral Council and the ‘Vision of Lincolnshire’ Appointed November 2001 committee. Awarded a professorship by the University of Hull in 1998, on retiring in 2003 she received an OBE for services to Trefor Jones spent 35 years in Pilkington Optronics, rising to higher education and an honorary doctorate and Emeritus become its Chairman and Chief Executive. He was a member of Professorship from Leicester University. the Clwyd Health Authority from 1990 to 1993 and was Chairman of the Training and Enterprise Council for North West Wales and Vice-Chair of CELTEC (the North Wales TEC). He is currently a Chris Burgoyne ACIB member of the North Wales Economic Forum. In 1996 he was Appointed May 2004 appointed as a member of the Welsh Development Agency and Chris Burgoyne has been Area Director for HSBC Bank in North currently is its Deputy Chairman. In 2001, The Queen appointed Wales since July 2004. Prior to that he was Area Director for him Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd. North East Wales for two years and has undertaken various managerial roles across Wales during his 27 year banking career. Professor John Last (Vice-Chair) CBE MA DLitt He is responsible for HSBC’s retail, commercial and corporate HonFMA FRSA operations in North Wales Appointed September 2001 C.Eng F.I.STRUCT.E Professor Last spent most of his working life based in Liverpool, Terence Burman first working for Littlewoods and then for United Utilities as Appointed April 1999 Director of External Affairs. He now has a part-time teaching Terry Burman joined Veryard & Partners, Consulting Civil & contract at City University, London, together with a visiting Structural Engineers as Junior Engineer in Cardiff in 1963. He professorship. He is non-executive Chairman of Dernier Property became a Partner in 1974 and opened a new office in Wrexham. Group based on Merseyside and non-executive Chairman of Bute Until his retirement Mr Burman was responsible for the Communications Ltd, a PR/Public Affairs company based in development and day to day running of the North West Region. Cardiff. Professor Last was awarded a CBE in 1989 for services He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of to the Arts. Structural Engineers. He was also a member of the North Wales Committee of the CBI and member of the Chester and North Geoff Andrews BSc MSc Wales Chamber of Commerce. Appointed February 2005 BA Geoff Andrews has spent over 30 years working at senior His Honour Judge Roger Dutton management and board level in high-tech, high growth Appointed September 2001 businesses. He has a first degree in Physics and Mathematics Judge Roger Dutton was called to the Bar in 1975 and practised and a Master’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of at common law chambers in Chester until October 1996 when he Technology in the Management of Technology. In 1993 he led a was appointed a Circuit Judge. He now sits on criminal cases on management buyout team to acquire a Pilkington business in the Wales and Chester Circuit. He serves on various committees Communications Systems. The business grew to have a £60 at the invitation of the Lord Chancellor and is an occasional tutor million turnover by 2001 when it was acquired by a large judge for the Judicial Studies Board. In 2004 he became a American multinational. Geoff is now Chief Executive of Clearview member of the central committee of the Council of Circuit Judges. Associates Limited, a successful management consultancy company currently working with a number of blue chip clients on Robert (Bob) Hill BSc FRICS strategic organisational managerial and business development Appointed March 2002 projects. Bob Hill has lived in Milton Keynes since 1972 where he became Commercial Director and later Deputy General Manager at the Professor Eileen Baker OBE BA MSc PGCE DLitt FRSA Development Corporation. A Fellow of the Royal Institution of Appointed February 2005 Chartered Surveyors, he joined the British Rail Property Board in Eileen Baker taught in secondary schools from 1969 until 1974 1992 as Managing Director and in 1994 became Property when she took up her first lecturing post. Recruited to Her Director of Railtrack plc. In 1998 he established his own property Majesty’s Inspectorate in 1988, she specialised in the inspection consultancy, Peerless Hill Partnership. He is currently a Trustee of of English in the university sector and production of the Chief the Milton Keynes Parks Trust and of the Powell Foundation - a Inspector’s Annual Report. Formerly the Principal of Bishop charity helping the aged and those with disabilities, and has been Grosseteste College of HE, she has served on amongst others a Board Member of De Montfort University, Buckinghamshire the Standing Committee of Principals’ Council, The Teacher Health Authority and the Milton Keynes Theatre and Gallery Training Agency Board, the General Teaching Council, the Company. National Mathematics Inquiry, the HEFCE Sector Strategy Group,

www.newi.ac.uk 19 NEWI’s Board of Governors (continued)

Jane M James, ARAgS Honorary Treasurer for the CIPD. He is a Chartered Companion of Appointed July 2006 the CIPD, a previous trustee of the CIPD Pension Scheme, as well as a Member of CIPD’s Professional Standards and Conducts Jane James has been Director of Prince’s Trust Cymru since Committee. January 2004.Her involvement in the Welsh food industry over the previous ten years has included Managing Director of the Welsh Meat Company, Centre Manager of Food Centre Wales – a food Aldham Robarts DL ACBA, FLJMU FRAS technology centre – and agricultural PR across a range of Appointed January 2003 production sectors. Canadian citizen resident in Denbigh for the past 28 years, Aldie Robarts has worked on eleven Thomson Newspapers worldwide, She has also played a major role in developing and diversifying finally as a Marketing Director. He founded the Wirral Globe in the family farming business in Pembrokeshire. She is a Licensed 1973, one of the first free distribution newspapers in the UK and Reader of the Church in Wales, a Governor of Christ College launched Northwest AutoTrader magazine. Former Chairman of Brecon, a past holder of the Welsh Woman Farmer of the Year the Wrexham Maelor Hospital NHS Trust (1992-99) and former title and a member of the BBC Broadcasting Council for Wales. Director of Telescope Technologies Limited (1996-2004) and Chairman (2001-04), he is a Trustee and former Board Member of Lady Janet Jones DL the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society and a Trustee of Appointed July 2006 Liverpool John Moores University Lady Janet Jones was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Clwyd in 1998. Lady Janet is a long-serving magistrate Basil Towers BA FCIPR who has held a number of high profile magistrate roles throughout Appointed December 2001 and Wales. She was formerly a Council Member of the Basil Towers has spent over 23 years in public relations Wales and England Magistrates’ Association and an Executive consultancy with particular emphasis on corporate reputation Member of the Clwyd Magistrates’ Association. She was formerly and issue management programmes. He established his own a member of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee in Clwyd London based consultancy, Christow, in 1989 which became one and Chairman of the Flintshire Bench of Magistrates (2001-2005). of the UK’s leading corporate reputation consultancies. Prior to Christow he was Managing Director of Shandwick Lady Janet is committed to the Voluntary Sector. She is currently Communications, which he founded, and a director of Shandwick president of Flintshire Pre-School Playgroups Association, UK plc, the UK’s largest PR consultancy. He now runs Hesleden Deeside Mencap and Deeside Guides Association. She is a Partners a reputation management consultancy. He is a Fellow of trustee of P.A.C.T and North Wales Victim Support. She was the Chartered Institute of Public Relations of Wales. formerly a Member of Clwyd’s School Governing Bodies. Professor Michael Scott BA MA PhD FRSA Professor Katharine Perera, BA MA PhD LLD Professor Michael Scott is Principal and Chief Executive of NEWI. Appointed September 2001 He has spent thirty years in the higher education sector devoted After an early career in teaching, Katharine Perera took up a post to social inclusion and the opening up of universities to the as lecturer in the Department of Linguistics in the University of community. He is a distinguished literary scholar having written Manchester, being appointed professor in 1991 and pro-vice- numerous books and articles and edited two major series, most chancellor in 1994. Having served as Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor, notably the influential Text and Performance series which helped with responsibility for academic development and academic and spawn Masters programmes in a new approach to Shakespeare financial planning across the University, she retired in September Studies in the UK, the USA, Australia and elsewhere. 2004. She is chair of governors of Withington Girls' School, Manchester, a non-executive director of Hope Hospital, Salford, He is the Chairman of the North Wales Film Commission, and a member of the Board of the Leadership Foundation for Chairman of The North Wales Events Commission, Chairman of Higher Education. UNESCO, Wales, and is a member of the Board of Clwyd Theatr Cymru and until January 2007 was a member of the BBC Council Peter Purdom CCIPD BA Hons for Wales. Appointed October 2005 He was previously Pro Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University, Peter Purdom has over 30 years experience in human resource Leicester, which he joined in 1989 from Sunderland Polytechnic management and development, spanning both the public and where he was Professor of English and Head of the School of private sectors. Following his role as County Personnel Officer Humanities. Michael Scott was educated at the University of with Cheshire County Council, he took up a senior consulting role Wales, Lampeter and Nottingham University and gained his PhD with KPMG and subsequently with Sanders and Sidney plc. After from De Montfort University. For fourteen years he was Visiting then establishing a successful search and selection consultancy, Professor of English at Georgetown University, Washington DC he joined Penna plc as Regional Head of Client Partners. Peter which honoured him with the Centennial Award for Distinguished was previously the National Vice President of Education for the Teaching and Scholarship in 1989. former IPM and, for six years until 2005, he served as the National

20 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education Corporate Governance

As the governing body of the North East Wales Institute of Higher • The Institute-wide risk register is maintained and a system of Education (“the Institute”), we have responsibility for maintaining reporting on risk management has been agreed by the Board a sound system of internal control that supports the achievement and Audit Committee. This involves a range of formal reports of policies, aims and objectives, while safeguarding the public received during the year. In addition an internal audit review of and other funds and assets for which we are responsible, in Risk Management in July 2006 has given substantial assurance accordance with the responsibilities assigned to the governing and recommended some improvements to embed the body in the instrument and articles and the Financial management of risk. Memorandum with HEFCW. • At the end of the year the Chair of the Audit Committee formally The system of internal control is designed to manage rather than reports to the full Board on the Committee’s activities during eliminate the risk of failure to achieve policies, aims and the year in accordance with relevant guidance. This report objectives; it can therefore only provide reasonable and not includes an assessment of the effectiveness of the Internal absolute assurance of effectiveness against material Control System (including risk management) during the year. misstatement or loss. • A risk prioritisation methodology based on risk ranking has The system of internal control is based on an ongoing process been established and reviewed. recorded as the risk register designed to identify the principal risks to the achievement of policies, aims and objectives, to • Each risk is assigned to a relevant director who reports evaluate the nature and extent of those risks and to manage them regularly to the Senior Executive on the actions taken. efficiently, effectively and economically. A strategic risk register has been in place all year up to 31 July 2006. Risk management Our review of the effectiveness of the system of internal control is and control processes have been in place throughout the period informed by internal audit, which operates to standards defined and risk review is embedded within the management culture and in the HEFCW Audit Code of Practice, and was itself audited by applied to the risks on the register and to all new initiatives the ELWa Audit Service in October 2004. In spring 2006, the identified during the year. These processes have been applied up newly appointed Head of Risk Assurance at HEFCW visited NEWI to the date of approval of the financial statements and accords to complete the follow-up process. The report confirmed that with HEFCW guidance. NEWI had satisfactorily addressed all the recommendations made in 2002/03. As the governing body, we have responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of the system of internal control. The following In summer 2006 a review of corporate governance was processes have been established: undertaken and the internal auditor’s opinion was that the controls within the system provide substantial assurance that • We meet at regular intervals to consider the plans and strategic risks are adequately managed and controlled. The overall opinion direction of the Institute. of the internal auditors was that the Institution has adequate and effective risk management, governance and control processes to • We receive periodic reports from the Chair of the Audit manage the achievement of the institution’s objectives. Committee concerning internal control and we require regular reports from managers on the steps they are taking to manage The key risks for NEWI arise from the potential failure to recruit risks in their areas of responsibility, including progress reports and retain students, retain key staff capability and maintain on key projects and issues. business systems. Student recruitment was buoyant in 2005/06 and NEWI met funded student numbers. These risks are the • We have requested the Audit Committee to provide oversight subject of regular review at meetings of both Senior Executive of the Institute’s management of risks. and the Governing Body.

• The Audit Committee receives regular reports from the Our review of the effectiveness of the system of internal control is independent internal audit provider, Bentley-Jennison, which also informed by the work of the executive directors within the include the internal audit’s independent opinion on the Institute, who have responsibility for the development and adequacy and effectiveness of the Institute’s system of internal maintenance of the internal control framework and by comments control, together with recommendations for improvement. made by the external auditors in their management letter and other reports from external bodies such as the National Audit • A programme of facilitated workshops is held for Governors, Office. senior and other managers to identify and keep up to date the key issues and risks for the Institute.

www.newi.ac.uk 21 Corporate Governance (continued)

Effectiveness Review The Board of Governors, its subcommittees, the Academic Board and its subcommittees are subject to regular effectiveness reviews. These examine how far the particular body is meetings its terms of reference and whether there are any improvements to be made to the operation of their activities.

The Board of Governors has an annual effectiveness review and a report on the findings for the 2005/06 academic year, with a comparison with the academic year 2004/05 was presented to the Board of Governors on 19 October 2006. The review found that the governors were sufficiently engaged in the development of the Institute’s overall strategy, including the details of the Strategic Plan. It found there was sufficient clarity between the roles of the governors, the Senior Executive and the Board’s subcommittees and it stated that the arrangements for risk management were appropriately detailed.

A recurring issue was the need for the governors to receive the information on which they rely in their decision making. It was felt that a small number of key performance indicators were required if the governors were to gain an overview of the Institute’s progress. As a result a KPI subgroup of the Board was established and will report towards the end of the academic year 2006/07. It has already established three areas where KPIs will be provided. These have been covered in earlier sections.

22 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education Financial Statements 2005/06

www.newi.ac.uk 23 Financial Statements 2005/06 (continued)

24 The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education