Appointing a new Warden

Goldsmiths’ Council is the College’s governing body, and in accordance with good practice and regulatory rules, the majority of its members are independent. These members bring experience from outside the College on a voluntary basis, giving their time to help steer the strategic direction of the institution and ensure compliance with the legal and regulatory framework with which universities operate.

The appointment of a new Warden is a formal responsibility of Council, which also has a statutory role to safeguard the long term viability of the College and to have full and proper regard to the expectations of sector guidance on senior appointments.

Ultimately, members of Council cannot be expected to hold accountability for a key decision that they have not actually taken.

More fundamentally, the prospect of facing an election process is unlikely to encourage a diverse range of applications from the widest possible pool of candidates. Being identified publically as a candidate would be particularly discouraging for those currently working within the sector.

The Search Committee were concerned that open hustings would not promote the aim of encouraging a diverse range of applications from the widest possible pool of candidates. Large scale presentations typically play to the strengths of certain groups, and the committee is uncertain that such an exercise would help identify the best overall leader for the institution.

However, there have been opportunities for groups of staff and students to meet shortlisted candidates, and to submit questions that will be used by the interview panel.

The Search Committee worked with an executive search firm to advertise the role widely (including overseas) and to approach suitable potential candidates directly. We have made clear in all public material that Goldsmiths is particularly keen to hear from candidates from groups currently under-represented at senior levels of higher education.

The appointment of a new Warden is a formal responsibility of Goldsmiths’ governing Council, as set out in the College statutes.  Council delegated the necessary steps to get us to this point to a Search Committee chaired by the Chair of Council.

The membership of the committee can be found above.  The Committee is of the same size and similar composition to that which recommended the appointment of our current Warden in 2009/10 and reflects its status as a Council committee, with both internal and external Council membership.

Council initially delegated setting up the Committee to the Chair, so work could commence promptly, before approving its composition and terms of reference at its meeting in November 2018.

Council was keen to ensure the recruitment process reflects the diversity of Goldsmiths’ staff and student bodies. Staff and student input has therefore been sought throughout the process.

The Search Committee  listened carefully to the range of feedback received from students, staff and other stakeholders through the open web survey and focus groups which took place in the autumn term of 2018. This input has shaped the candidate pack and wider approach adopted by the committee.

Small groups of staff and students met shortlisted candidates, in confidence, during March. All students and staff were invited to express and interest in joining one of these groups, which focued on three key strategic themes for the College. There was a fourth group specifically for our recognised staff and student unions. Feedback from these sessions will be considered carefully by the interview panel as part of their final assessment of candidates.

The Search Committee also developed a mechanism to meet the request that questions from students and staff were put to shortlisted candidates as part of the final selection process.