General Assembly is a forum open to all staff, which is led by the Vice-Chancellor and runs on a termly basis. Its objectives are to provide clarity on the University’s purpose and everyone’s role in supporting this, and to improve engagement across the University by serving as a place to listen, exchange ideas and ask questions.
At the event, Professor Nick Jennings presented attendees with updates on:
- The progress of the six Core Plans linked to our University strategy, Creating Better Futures Together
- Issues affecting the wider higher education sector
- Our People & Culture strategy
- The Vice-Chancellor's Awards 2026
After the Vice-Chancellor's presentation, colleagues were able to ask Professor Nick Jennings and other members of the Senior Leadership team questions. Questions asked covered:
- Clarification on the number of roles affected in the current Professional Services review, reassurance on the engagement opportunities that are available within the formal consultation period and confirmation on how ongoing communications will work.
The Vice-Chancellor clarified that the University has worked to give as accurate an estimate as possible of the number of roles affected to help staff understand the scale of changes proposed. Whilst this is undoubtedly a challenging time for colleagues, particularly those affected, the Vice-Chancellor also sought to place the scale of Loughborough’s savings in the context of the wider sector.
The Vice-Chancellor reiterated that the consultation period should be meaningful and if strong alternate suggestions are made which differ from the changes proposed, then they will be seriously considered. The University is open to all suggestions and colleagues are encouraged to share their ideas.
The consultation period is set to begin on 13 May, when all colleagues affected will be contacted. Richard Taylor, Chief Operating Officer, will also hold another Professional Services Forum on Thursday 28 May where further questions can be asked. Information on how to sign up will be available soon.
- Further information on the University’s contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
Although the University’s contributions have changed, the important thing for colleagues to note is that for recipients, nothing has changed. You can find out more about the LGPS here.
- Salary compression and what the University is doing to address it due to the Real Living Wage supplement.
Working in partnership with trade unions, the University has introduced the Loughborough Real Living Wage supplement which is reviewed annually. Colleagues who are impacted should receive communication soon about this.
- What is being done from a student experience perspective to encourage international students to join us.
Future employability is a key concern, so the Careers Network are working on a range of events to support this, as well as working with third party companies that can offer students work opportunities in their country of origin should they want that. There is also a review of induction, registration and welcome taking place as part of the Education and Student Experience workstream which aims to foster a sense of belonging and community from the moment students join us.
- What the University’s stance is on the ban on student visas for those from certain countries such as Sudan.
Universities UK (UUK) has communicated a stance and Loughborough participated in those discussions as collective action is often more powerful.
In case you missed it, a recording is now available to watch.