The AHUA Spring Conference has officially commenced!
We look forward to the next two days at the University of Exeter, where we will welcome AHUA members, sponsors, and a range of distinguished speakers for engaging discussions and thought-provoking debate.
#AHUA2026
New blog!
With the student accommodation landscape rapidly changing, Moray Notman, University Partner Commercial Director at Unite Students, explores how universities can position accommodation as a strategic priority.
Read more here: bit.ly/4cpavat
In our upcoming Expert Exchange, panellist from Huron will explore how executives can better support boards to engage with recruitment targets in a more constructive and informative way.
This webinar is open to AHUA members and nominated alternates only
Learn more and register here: bit.ly/4vhqnUS
Ahead of their gold sponsor at the AHUA Spring Conference 2026, John Workman and Susie Hills from Huron, discuss how UK universities must move beyond reactive cost-cutting to deliver truly transformational change and highlight the limits of efficiency measures alone.
Read more here: bit.ly/3PEwjHr
As her term as AHUA Chair draws to a close, Nicola Owen reflects on six years of leadership, highlighting the association’s achievements during this period and sharing her perspective on its future direction.
Read the full blog here: bit.ly/3PBbtZu
New blog!
Gareth Owen describes the transformative role of libraries in developing collaboration opportunities, with university libraries in Wales working together to deliver significant financial, operational and service benefits that may offer a blueprint.
Read more here: bit.ly/487cCOA
New blog!
Simon Perks explores how university leaders can make better decisions and exercise more effective scrutiny.
Read more here: bit.ly/46V8twV
This plenary session will explore why investment in software and hardware must be matched by investment in people, building the skills, confidence and capability needed to understand, manage and fully utilise technology across institutions.
AHUA members can register here: bit.ly/4rTC2XN
Registrations are open for our next AHUA Expert Exchange meeting: Informing the development of the Committee of University Chairs (CUC) at a key time for governance.
Speaker: @jamesdunphy.bsky.social
Taking place on Monday 30th March. AHUA member can register here: bit.ly/4sjjeSp
Limited spaces available!
Our next AHUA Expert Exchange meeting 'International Fees, Net Revenue and Risk: Pricing and Cost of Acquisition in Practice' will take place online on Monday 16th March, 09.00 - 10.00am.
Register here: bit.ly/4rFuY0y
A recent AHUA workshop highlighted that real progress on race equality in professional services will require coordinated, sector-wide action to tackle structural barriers and not isolated initiatives.
Read more in our latest blog: bit.ly/4aO8wvw
Last chance to register!
Following the launch of the Organisational Efficiency Maturity Assessment (known as 'OEMA'), we are hosting a live demo of the online assessment tool and example data and report outputs.
Taking place on Tuesday 24th February, 09.00-09.45am
Register here: bit.ly/3O4fRQ0
New blog!
Colin Campbell, Registrar at the Newcastle University explores the vital civic, governance and resilience roles that higher education institutions can play in strengthening national preparedness.
Read more here: bit.ly/4kBdal1
The opening plenary for our Spring Conference will explore the challenges shaping our sector through the perspectives of VCs, Chairs and COOs. Join senior leaders to discuss future leadership capability, resilience and safe passage for institutions.
AHUA members only. Register: bit.ly/4rTC2XN
AHUA member, Rob Kramer will join Arif Ahmed and David Bass on an @advancehe.bsky.social roundtable 'Identifying and Understanding ‘Barriers to Expression'.
Topics include foreign interference, student perspectives, and effective institutional practice.
Register here: bit.ly/3NSTI6Z
Over on our blog, Dr Allan Sudlow explores how libraries and collections intersect with artificial intelligence (AI).
Read more here: bit.ly/49QZhdn
In our latest blog, newly appointed Chair of Association of Higher Education Professionals, Rachel Hill-Kelly, reflects on her journey, from early career opportunities and governance leadership at QAA to shaping AHEP’s bold future.
Read the blog here: bit.ly/45CxSdU
Last year, AHUA commissioned research into the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in senior professional roles across UK universities. Led by Dr Louise Oldridge at Nottingham Business School (NTU), the team has now shared its findings.
Read the blog & full report: bit.ly/4rFM67r
Alistair Jarvis CBE, Chief Executive of Advance HE, highlights four key areas where institutions should actively reflect, challenge, and evolve their approaches in order to thrive in a rapidly shifting landscape.
Read more: bit.ly/4pthzYj
Hear from two experienced senior leaders from the FE sector as they share over a decade of learning from mergers and acquisitions, offering insights that can help universities navigate organisational change with confidence.
Registration here: bit.ly/48xRWQq
Deadline approaching!
Are you ready to take the next step in your higher education leadership journey?
The Aspiring Registrar and COO Programme is designed for professionals who are considering a move into the most senior Professional Services roles.
Apply here before 20th Nov: bit.ly/42Az2Fr
In this new blog series, Dr Catherine Eagleton and Catriona Cannon will be bringing together a number of inspiring and thought-provoking writers from across the higher education sector to set out their vision for the future of libraries.
Read the first blog here: bit.ly/3Xo1AyO
The deadline for Aspiring Registrar and COO Programme is fast approaching.
The programme is designed for director level staff considering a move into the Registrar / COO role and will assess readiness for such a leadership position.
Deadline: 20th November 2025 at 9am.
Apply here: bit.ly/42Az2Fr
Will a proposed levy on international students derail regional growth? In our latest blog, Martin Vincent partner and Head of Education at Weightmans explains why stronger governance is key to making sure HE funding and the devolution agenda work together.
Read the blog here: bit.ly/4nE5LSc
Missed the AHUA Autumn Conference 2025 or just need a recap? Our Executive Director @bvulliamy.bsky.social has got you covered with his latest blog summarising the vital discussions and key takeaways.
Read the blog here: bit.ly/3VTD1cb
Last week our Executive Director @bvulliamy.bsky.social appeared on the Wonkhe Show Podcast to discussed the merger announcement between the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent
Click here to listen: bit.ly/4gxJD9O
Or search for 'The Wonkhe Show' wherever you listen to your podcasts
We are very excited to announce that Helen Galbraith has been elected as our next Chair and will be succeeding Nicola Owen.
You can find out more about Helen, her history at AHUA and her vision for the future of the association and sector. Click here to read Helen's blog: bit.ly/467tfcD
Closing out the conference with a powerful session on collab. "Too coy? Too complicated?" explored the real barriers holding back mergers and partnerships, from regulatory hurdles to the fear of starting the conversation. An honest and insightful look at building resilience through shared success.
Shared spaces, shared success. This workshop explored the power of collaborative facilities, looking at how sharing resources with other universities, industry, and communities can drive innovation and efficiency. A great session on unlocking collaborative potential.
Feeling overwhelmed? The "Managing the Spinning Plates" workshop was the perfect space for a reset. This interactive session helped attendees map their priorities and challenges, providing a new approach to problem-solving and actionable next steps.
