Will a proposed levy on international students derail regional growth? In our latest blog, Martin Vincent partner and Head of Education at Weightmans explains why stronger governance is key to making sure HE funding and the devolution agenda work together. Read the blog here: bit.ly/4nE5LSc

Missed the AHUA Autumn Conference 2025 or just need a recap? Our Executive Director @bvulliamy.bsky.social has got you covered with his latest blog summarising the vital discussions and key takeaways. Read the blog here: bit.ly/3VTD1cb

Last week our Executive Director @bvulliamy.bsky.social appeared on the Wonkhe Show Podcast to discussed the merger announcement between the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent Click here to listen: bit.ly/4gxJD9O Or search for 'The Wonkhe Show' wherever you listen to your podcasts

We are very excited to announce that Helen Galbraith has been elected as our next Chair and will be succeeding Nicola Owen. You can find out more about Helen, her history at AHUA and her vision for the future of the association and sector. Click here to read Helen's blog: bit.ly/467tfcD

The AHUA Autumn Conference 2025 has now commenced. Stay tuned for our conference updates throughout the day on highlights from our plenary’s, workshops, speakers and sponsors #AHUA2025

How can UK universities create a more sustainable future? Our new blog post introduces the Organisational Efficiency Maturity Assessment model, helping institutions move beyond short-term fixes and make strategic choices for transformation and change. Click here to read the blog: bit.ly/4mHJz9M

The Gillies report sparks key questions about leadership. @bvulliamy.bsky.social argues that true progress comes from cultural evolution, not easy process fixes, helping institutions build an agile future. Read the blog here: bit.ly/4mHrPuy

AHUA Autumn Conference 2025 | Plenary As individual savings shrink, collaboration is key. Our plenary explores the barriers to partnership—from regulatory uncertainty to starting conversations—and how to move past them to build resilient, lasting connections. Click here to register: bit.ly/3GLRzXD

AHUA Autumn Conference 2025 | Plenary HE faces new challenges. Our panel explores if government-regulator-university relationships are fit for purpose, and how to balance competition with collaboration. We'll discuss what must change for the sector to thrive. Click here to register: bit.ly/3GLRzXD

AHUA Autumn Conference 2025 | Workshop Led by Eileen Schofield and Alistair Jarvis, they look at the practical outputs and thorny questions considering the action points for individual institutions and the sector more broadly. Click here to register: bit.ly/3GLRzXD

AHUA Autumn Conference 2025 | Workshop "Managing the Spinning Plates" Need time to think? Join Rachel Holmes for an interactive workshop designed to bring clarity to your current and future priorities and identify concrete next steps. Click here to register: bit.ly/3GLRzXD

The UK's immigration policy is undergoing significant changes, and its HE impact and the future of international students is a complex but crucial topic. Dive into our blog from Katharine Brymer to unpack the details and understand what this means for the sector. Read the blog here: bit.ly/40DP5kS

AHUA Autumn Conference 2025 | Workshop "Free Speech: Getting the basics right to avoid getting the big things wrong" Discover how to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape with Nicola, Joanna and Paul from Shakespeare Martineau. Click here to register: bit.ly/3GLRzXD

AHUA Autumn Conference 2025 | Workshop Presented by Aya Ferguson & Emma Ogden from SUMS Consulting, this workshop is designed to showcase and gathering feedback on a beta model for an organisational efficiency maturity assessment. For more information and to register click here: bit.ly/3GLRzXD

Karen Stephenson, and Katherine Brymer, explore how the OfS B3 Conditions of Registration ensure quality education and student success through rigorous standards and documentation. Read the blog here: bit.ly/4ltVszx

Is peak efficiency a hidden risk? Simon Perks, Sockmonkey Consulting, explores balancing efficiency with resilience. Too much efficiency leaves us vulnerable. Discover why 'slack' is key to bouncing back. Read the blog here: bit.ly/4lkFNSQ

New OfS guidance on free speech duties is here, 6 weeks before the new Act. We're balancing free speech with other legal obligations. OfS Director will meet our members to discuss further. AHUA Hosts a Conversation with Asif Ahmed (Members only) - July 17th, 10:30-11:15 Book now: bit.ly/3T0sgDO

University governors: Fresh ways to navigate complex risks? We're hosting a free online workshop with @counterculturellp.bsky.social It's a live exercise with a fictitious institution to tackle critical risks (demographics, regs) Develop strategic responses for your board. Register: bit.ly/4jWHSmJ

UK universities are in a tough spot, and losing HEFCE's collaborative support isn't helping. @bvulliamy.bsky.social (AHUA) & Brooke Storer-Church (GuildHE) say the competitive market, made worse by HERA 2017, stops the cooperation needed now. More via @wonkhe.bsky.social: bit.ly/4djoi2p

Navigating the OfS's expectations on governance can be complex. Our latest blog post by Karen Stephenson and Katharine Brymer provides a clear overview of the documentary evidence required in areas like public interest, management, and accountability. Read the blog here: bit.ly/4me54iA

Simon Jennings, Chief Corporate Officer at @mtu.ie reflects on his career and the landscape of HE in Ireland. Read the blog here: bit.ly/4d2S23r

Facing financial pressures while aiming for growth? This new blog from university infrastructure partners UPP explores how strategic partnerships can unlock significant time and cost savings for UK universities. Read the blog here: bit.ly/42QJpnP

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is coming in 2026 offering a new way to fund flexible learning across a working life. Karen Stephenson, University Secretary at Birmingham City University, unpacks the details & challenges of this major shift in tertiary education Read the blog here: bit.ly/3Gl4jUn

As UK higher education faces financial and demographic challenges, pushing institutions towards IT overhauls for efficiency. In this new blog, Peter Moss, Business Development Director at Ellucian, highlights 4 key obstacles to successful digital transformation. Read the blog here: bit.ly/4cKpZpj

Our Executive Director, Ben Vulliamy, shares key takeaways from a recent insightful AHUA Member Exchange, where a small group of members tackled the complexities of ongoing transformation in higher education. Read the blog here: bit.ly/4jruV50

Hot off the press from our AHUA Spring Conference 2025 speakers and sponsors, Abby Nduva and Simon Lancaster from Nous Group, whose blog shines a light on navigating the future of higher education and the proactive steps to take. Read the blog here: bit.ly/3Y8zqsx

The key takeaways from the AHUA Spring Conference 2025 are here. Our Executive Director, @bvulliamy.bsky.social Vulliamy, has written a blog summarising the vital discussions and practical insights shared on navigating the current challenges in higher education. Read the blog here: bit.ly/42skoAx

Great to see some of the further thought and comment generated post conference @ahuauk.bsky.social

An amazing start to the day with a plenary session from Esa Hamalainen on how the University of Helsinki navigated a 15% budget cut, sharing their cost-saving, income-gearing measures, implementation & impact. #AHUA2025

The AHUA Spring Conference 2025 has officially comenced. Keep an eye out for our updates throughout the day on key highlights from our workshops, speakers and sponsors. #AHUA2025

From our valued conference sponsors at EAB, their blog discusses why organisational change efforts often fail in higher education and offers five key lessons to help leaders achieve successful transformation. Read the blog here: bit.ly/4icqRUG

Helen Galbraith, Senior Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer at the University of Chester, reviews Rachel Reeds' comprehensive guidebook for navigating professional service roles in higher education. Click here to read the blog: bit.ly/4ctzGYY

Universities, are you prepared for the Employment Rights Bill? Alexandria Davis, an Associate at Shakespeare Martineau breaks down the key changes impacting the HE sector, from trade union rights to zero-hour contracts. Don't get caught off guard. Read the full blog here: bit.ly/4jdR6Le

Workshop | Monday 14th April Learn to master your mind under pressure. Kim Newton-Woof's workshop uses Steve Peters' "Chimp Model" for stress & decision-making. Gain tools to control emotions, share insights, & boost resilience. Practical strategies for university leaders. Details: bit.ly/41XBTII

📣 Registration closes at 11.30pm on 19th March 📣 Still thinking of all the reasons to attend? Here is @heidifk.bsky.social CEO at @jisc.bsky.social sharing what to expect at the ‘Unlocking the Power of Data - Shaping the Future of HE Sector Data’ workshop. To register, click here: bit.ly/4gehXVB

📣 Registrations for the AHUA Spring Conference 2025 will close on Wednesday 19th March 📣 Taking place in beautiful Swansea, AHUA members, if you would like to be a part of our growing Association, coming together to share ideas and show bold leadership then please register here: bit.ly/4gehXVB

Workshop | Tuesday 15th April The legal context now and beyond @smitajamdar.bsky.social, Joanna Forbes & Mark Taylor discuss themes from legal & regulatory developments, how they affect and shape institutional strategies or can be managed more strategically. Members register here: bit.ly/4gehXVB

We have collaborated with @audenews.bsky.social BUFDG and UCISA for an online seminar, which will use AUDE’s 2024 Estates Management Report & insights from other associations to explore the possible opportunities for university estates to help support our reinvention. Register here: lnkd.in/eFeMc8xx

New blog from Pete Quinn, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, Trainer, Coach & Mentor at Pete Quinn Consulting, reporting on the importance of compassionate communication within universities and its effect on the student experience. Read Pete's blog here: lnkd.in/ezjM3gfU

Workshop | Tuesday 15th April ‘Working with students & SU’s to reduce risk & enhance experience’ Presented by @jimdickinson.bsky.social SU's Associate Editor @wonkhe.bsky.social Members for more information and to register for the AHUA Spring Conference 2025 click here: bit.ly/4gehXVB

This morning, our valued former member @registrarism.bsky.social wrote a wonderful article on @wonkhe.bsky.social about the 85 years of history of the Association of Heads of University Administration (AHUA). You can read the article here: bit.ly/3DecGzQ

Workshop | Tuesday 15th April 'Governing and Leading – Is our performance oversight supporting and informing decision making?' Presented by Helen Watson, @citystgeorges.bsky.social, Dr Colette Fletcher & @kim-gov-lead.bsky.social @advancehe.bsky.social For information click here: bit.ly/4gehXVB

Thought of the fortnight blog: In number 8 of our series, we wanted to hear more on governance review. We asked the question ‘‘What approaches have you used for governance reviews that have worked well?” Read the blog here: bit.ly/42VKCvK

This is a call you are going to want to answer. Set in picturesque Swansea, we are delighted to welcome members to our two-day spring conference on 14th-15th April. Members, for more information and to register for the AHUA Spring Conference 2025 click here: bit.ly/4gehXVB

Conference dinner | Monday 14th April We are delighted to announce that our after-dinner speaker is former international rugby union referee & TV personality Nigel Owens. Thank you to EAB who will be sponsoring the dinner. Members for more information and to register click here: bit.ly/4gehXVB

New blog from Alistair Jarvis, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Partnerships and Governance), University of London explores the OfS' 'conversation with the sector' and the potential issues to consider. Read Alistair's blog here: bit.ly/40KjBZr

Last Friday, our Executive Director @bvulliamy.bsky.social was a guest on The @wonkhe.bsky.social Show, discussing funding, attendance and student hardship. Including a shout-out for the AHUA Spring Conference 2025. You can catch the episode here bit.ly/3WDBO9E or wherever you stream your podcasts.

New Blog from our valued member and friend Paul Greatrix @registrarism.bsky.social, former Registrar at the University of Nottingham who reflects on his 18 years in the association, the challenges within HE and the changes to embrace. Read Paul's blog here: bit.ly/40OQsh2

We are delighted to announce that registration for the AHUA Spring Conference 2025 is now open. Members, join us on 14th - 15th April in Swansea for an exciting line-up of speakers from across the world and relevant content. For more information please visit our conference page bit.ly/4gehXVB

Thought of the fortnight blog: Number 7 in our blog series, this edition we asked our members ‘What is your favourite inspirational quote and why?' Read the blog here: bit.ly/4gaXeSM