The plans will include a phased approach to restructuring and resizing our workforce, enabling the university to focus on areas of excellence to drive future success. 

The proposals come as part of the university’s wider Future Nottingham programme, which enables us to set out our ambitious plans for the future, while navigating the serious financial challenges which are facing the whole of the Higher Education sector. 

On Tuesday 8 April, the university launched a 90-day consultation with the trade unions, which includes a proposal to reduce our professional services workforce by 258 full time equivalent (FTE) staff from the 9,000 people working at the university. 

Later this month, the university will open a voluntary redundancy window with an enhanced redundancy package for staff affected by the changes. 

University of Nottingham President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane Norman said: “This is a critical moment for universities across the UK.  

“As well as being ambitious about our future, we also need to be realistic about the financial environment in which we are operating. The sector is grappling with significant financial challenges and like most universities, we have been seriously affected by a fall in revenues across the sector, worsened by a fall in the number of international students and the ongoing effect of the rising cost of living. Our staff numbers have increased significantly faster than our student numbers.  

“Change for any organisation is a difficult and painful process and we fully understand the anxiety that this announcement will cause for many of our colleagues. Our proposals are in no way a reflection of the dedication, hard work and ability of our staff, but the current financial picture means we must focus our efforts on where we are best positioned to thrive. We will be working with our unions to ensure that our staff are all supported through this period. 

“We know that students may also have concerns as a result of hearing this news, and I would like to reassure you that our commitment to delivering the highest academic standards and the best student experience while at Nottingham remains unchanged.” 

Over the past 18 months, the university has taken action to reduce costs without negatively impacting the student experience. This has included a reduction of budgets, a freeze on staff recruitment for all but the most critical roles, removing £40 million from planned spend, and significantly reducing travel. The university has committed to reducing the size of our estate by 20% and work has already started on this, including commencing the sale of King’s Meadow Campus. 

Professor Norman said: “We have an ambitious vision for our university. We want to achieve sustained excellence, to be at the forefront of innovations that improve lives and outcomes, and deliver social mobility and economic development. To achieve that ambition and deliver benefits for Nottingham, the UK and the wider world, our organisation must change. 

“We have done everything we can to avoid reaching this position, but these proposals will give us the financial headroom we need so that we have the means to adapt to our current and future environments, and ensure an excellent staff and student experience.” 

Planning and development of these proposals has centred student experience and outcomes as a priority. This will continue as this programme of change moves forward. The Students’ Union will be a partner in determining this change, and we will incorporate student feedback into all stages of development which impact teaching and learning and the broader student experience.