Broadcast: News items

Professor Keith Jones has been appointed Interim Provost when Professor Rachel Mills leaves us later this month.

Keith is Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) and is a member of the University Executive Group (UEG), the University Leadership Team and Senate. Keith has executive responsibilities for the Research and Enterprise Portfolio which supports the Research with Impact pillar of the Sussex 2025 strategic plan. Most recently he has overseen the final REF 2021 submissions and results.

Keith is also University Project Executive for the Education and Research Investment Programme and is currently overseeing progress on the joint agreement with UCU.

David Maguire, Interim Vice-Chancellor, said: “I was pleased we were able to approve Keith’s appointment as Provost at Council on Friday as Keith brings a wealth of experience to the role of Provost - and will be a huge support to our new VC Sasha Roseneil as she gets to know the University when she arrives in August.

“He will have an important part to play to work with the Heads of Schools to deliver the refreshed annual academic business planning process, which will improve the learning experience of our current and future students. I wish Keith all the best in his role as interim Provost.”

Keith will take up his position from 25th July when Rachel Mills leaves the University. He will continue with his existing executive responsibilities.

Keith said: “I am honoured to be appointed Interim Provost and looking forward to working with Sasha, our new VC, and the rest of the leadership team. We are entering an exciting period of opportunity for Sussex and I hope to help build on making Sussex a better place to work and study.”

Other ULT appointments include Emma Potts who will return to the post of Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer, having most recently been Interim Director of Research and Enterprise.

Emma initially joined Sussex as Interim Deputy COO in November 2020. In her time here she has provided leadership to the One Professional Service programme and will continue to provide leadership of Professional Services Space Optimisation.

Following the announcement from HR director Siobhan O'Reilly that she will be leaving Sussex in September, Peter Mitchell has been appointed Interim HR director and took up his position last week. Siobhan will continue to be the director until the end of September and until then Peter will support her in rolling out the new People Strategy and ensure a smooth transition for when a permanent HR director is recruited. This will enhance the recent expansion of the HR leadership team.

Both Emma and Peter will report into Tim Westlake, the Chief Operating Officer. Tim said: “I'm really pleased to have Emma back in the position of Deputy COO, particularly as we approach a busy period, preparing for our new VC and as we plan for the next academic year.

“Peter will also be a great addition I am delighted that he is in post so quickly to work alongside Siobhan and support the work being undertaken to progress projects associated with the joint agreement between UEG and UCU.”

And finally, with the departure of Bridget Edminson to Imperial College, as General Counsel, at the end of August, Geraldine Ismail has been appointed Interim Head of Legal Services and will be taking her post on 1 August 2022.