Uni chief's government role leaves union dismayed

A university vice chancellor should "get his own house in order" before taking the government role he has landed, a union has demanded.

Coventry University's Prof John Latham has been named as a non-executive director, by the Department of Business and Trade.

But the University and College Union (UCU) said it was "dismayed" by the appointment, which came after the university announced plans to cut 92 jobs, with staff being told they would "have to pay the price for the university's failures".

The university declined to respond to the union's comments when approached by the BBC.

UCU regional official Anne O'Sullivan said: "In the build-up to Christmas, management have told staff they will have to pay the price for the university's failures and threatened them with job losses.

"Prof Latham should focus on getting his own house in order before taking on additional roles for the government."

The university has also confirmed a number of staff would be transferred to another company within its group, meaning they would have to leave the Teacher's Pension Scheme (TPS).

The UCU had claimed more than 100 staff jobs were under threat, while another 200 faced having their contracts transferred.

Prof Latham's government position would involve him providing advice, support and scrutiny on the department's work, while continuing with his vice chancellor role, the university confirmed.

Prof Latham said he was "honoured" to be appointed, adding he had "developed considerable expertise to help scrutinise and advise government policy".

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