The University of Nottingham

As we move further into 2011,

I cannot help but feel a sense of optimism about the future.

Over the past two years I have made clear my concerns about the ramifications of the global financial crisis and the fact that there are very demanding times ahead for UK higher education. The announcements made in the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review herald very significant reductions in public funding.

But Nottingham starts from a position of strength. We continue to attract outstandingly able students; we have a talented and committed workforce, a unique global footprint, a hugely supportive alumni community and quite extraordinary campuses that we continue to improve.

We are financially sound and manage ourselves effectively and efficiently. But it is important that we diversify our income streams. The international reputation of the University’s research in energy, drug discovery, global food security, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, biomedical imaging and many other fields has helped to push research funding to unprecedented levels.

In terms of philanthropy we continue to raise increasing funds from our alumni and supporters, and you have my thanks for that. But we will need to do more. My wife Susan and I have made our own personal commitment to fundraising at the University with a gift to the Vaughan Parry Williams Coaching Fund, recently established to extend professional coaching across a broader range of teams to help our students achieve their athletic potential in parallel with their academic achievements. As an active sportsman still, this is a cause that is close to my heart and I would greatly appreciate your support for the fund too, especially if you have ever played sport at the University.

In this period of remarkable uncertainty the need for decisiveness and clarity is paramount and, after a period of great consultation, we have set out our plans for the next five years in our new strategic plan. I would like to encourage you to read this document in which we have set ourselves ambitious but achievable targets and I would particularly welcome feedback from our alumni, friends and supporters. The document is available at www.nottingham.ac.uk in the drop down menu ‘About the University’.

I hope to be able to share our ambitions for the future with you in person at our various events around the UK and globally this year. But I am most looking forward to meeting more of you at the eagerly-anticipated May Fest event on 7th and 8th May. The event will centre on University Park but we are also planning events across the globe. It promises to be great fun and a wonderful opportunity to both reminisce and look forward to exciting times ahead.

Until then, I wish you all well.