News

University of Durham strengthens trading operations

(5 March 2004)

The University of Durham is moving forward to implement new arrangements among its team of College Bursars to pool their expertise and take other steps to share good practice in order to offer the best possible service both to student residents, vacation visitors and the growing number of conference visitors.

The new arrangements which take immediate effect will ensure divisional responsibilities are assigned across the group, resulting in a more specialised team working in partnership to significantly enhance divisional operations.

With a £20 million turnover, the Colleges Division support a diverse range of environments in Durham City and at the Queen’s Campus in Stockton accommodating 6,000 undergraduates and registering over 140,000 conference and tourist bed-nights a year. Maximising the contribution from commercial activity, and taking advantage of best practice across the Division will improve value for money for customers and students alike and will contribute towards the ongoing development of College facilities.

Professor Tim Burt, Dean of Colleges and Student Support said: ”The University remains committed to its collegiate structure and sees the Colleges as being a unique selling point for the University as a whole. We are working in partnership across the Division to ensure that the quality of what we offer continues to attract the best students from home and abroad, as well as from the commercial sector”.

Commercial trading activities have more than doubled from the Conference and Tourism Office since the recent appointment of Helen Strangward as the Division’s Commercial Director. Before taking up the new post she was the North East Sales Manager for Marriott hotels, responsible for Gosforth Park, MetroCentre, Seaburn and Durham and has an outstanding track record in performance with 18 years experience working in the hotel industry.

Helen commented:” The Colleges Division contributes towards a successful fast growing commercial business with an annual trading turnover in excess of £4 million. The new arrangements will allow the Division to continue to deliver a high level of customer service but with added expertise and knowledge”.

The University has an international reputation and is the preferred venue for a diverse range of clients who appreciate the unique range of facilities the University can offer from purpose-built conference venues to the World Heritage site at University College.

Upcoming conferences include:-

Hatfield College will host the European Youth Parliament Residential Conference this month bringing together 300 students from 27 countries.

Queen’s Campus, Stockton will host 900 officials and competitors taking part in the European Dragonboat Championships on the River Tees in July. Judges and competitors will occupy 500 en-suite bedrooms and restaurant facilities during their four days of practice and two days of competition.

For further information contact:-

Helen Strangward, Commercial Director, University of Durham 0191-3345879 Jan Cawood, Public Relations Officer, University of Durham, Tel: 0191-3340018

Notes to Editors

1. The University of Durham offers accommodation in over 1,100 en-suite and over 3,300 standard bedrooms during University vacations by 10 Colleges in the City and on our Queen's Campus in Stockton. Plenary sessions for up to 385 can be accommodated in Durham Colleges and up to 230 in Stockton. Tiered lecture theatres on our teaching sites seat up to 315 delegates. Over 300 well-equipped meeting rooms are available for breakout sessions. Day conferencing is available in most venues all year round.