University of Kent
The University of Kent has 17,000 students from 140 countries worldwide and more than 2,000 members of staff. It is an exciting and diverse organisation with Campuses at Canterbury, Medway, Brussels and Paris. The University was established in Canterbury in 1965 and has grown significantly since those early days.
Research is a major part of the work undertaken at the University and it has gained a reputation for the quality of that work as evidenced by ranking of 24 (out of 160) for World leading research in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). There is a successful widening participation programme, working with local schools and colleges to ensure that as many students as possible have an opportunity to go to university. The University plays an important role as an economic, social and cultural catalyst for the region, supporting innovation and enterprise and working in partnership with agencies such as the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Kent County Council, Canterbury City Council and Medway Unitary Authority. They recognise they have a key regeneration role and that the Medway campus is an essential part of the development of the North Thames Gateway.
The University of Kent has embarked on an initiative as the Lead Sponsor, in conjunction with Medway Council for the new 11-19 Academy in Gillingham which will take staff and pupils from the current New Brompton College. It is planned that the Academy will open in existing buildings in 2010 and move into its purpose built accommodation by 2013. The Academy will complete the Medway Learning Quarter, encompassing the £90m investment for the Universities at Medway Campus, the £80m Mid Kent Further and Higher Education Campus, the Medway Olympic Park undergoing an £11m refurbishment and the NHS Medway Foundation Trust.
It is proposed that the new Academy will have two specialisms of Science and Arts which will benefit from the University of Kent’s national reputation in these areas.
In sponsoring the new Academy, the University of Kent identified the need to appoint a first class Principal who was capable of leading the educational transformation required.
Prof. Clare Mackie – Pro-Vice Chancellor Medway Campus said:
“We were having difficulty in identifying a cohort of suitable candidates for interview. It was the expertise, support and guidance provided by Pentir Talent Solutions that allowed us to make a first class appointment. However PTS went one step further; not only did they provide us with the right information to make the right decision they also supported the candidates in a way that allowed them to show us just how good they were. This is clearly an organisation that has great networks and knows who the world class leaders in education really are. Any sponsor looking to appoint an exceptional leader should make sure they talk to Pentir Talent Solutions.”