News

Durham University Registrar to take up leading role

(14 July 2008)

Durham University’s Registrar and Secretary, its Chief Operating Officer responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for university business, is leaving for a leading role at the University of Birmingham.

Lee Sanders, who joined Durham in March 2003, will take up his post as Registrar and Secretary at Birmingham in October this year. The new role brings a wider responsibility and remit, as Mr Sanders will be charged with heading up Birmingham University’s unified administration and support services of 3,500 members of staff across central services and academic colleges. During a period of significant change, Mr Sanders has made major contributions to the development of Durham University, which is now consistently ranked in the top 10 in the UK. He currently oversees and manages 560 staff in the central administrative services. Key contributions during his six-year leadership include the design and implementation of a new University strategy; support for Durham’s new organisational structure; a major University strategic and financial improvement programme; enhancing the corporate services and their leadership, and a drive to raise Durham’s external profile. Mr Sanders said: “Durham is unique: an outstanding University in a fabulous setting, combining the best in student experience, research, scholarship and community. “I have really enjoyed my time at Durham working with many great colleagues and will be very sorry to leave. I have seen a lot of change over the last 6 years and Durham is in good shape to meet the future challenges facing higher education.” He added: ““I am excited about joining the excellent team at Birmingham and look forward to working with colleagues to contribute to the University’s bright future.” Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, Professor Chris Higgins, said: "We are very sorry indeed to lose Lee, who has made major contributions to the governance of Durham University over the past six years. Personally, he has been a particular support to me in the transition between Vice-Chancellors. “One of the strengths of Lee’s leadership over the past six years has been to bring through many younger staff who are ready to step up to greater responsibility. We wish him all the very best in his new role” Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, Professor Michael Sterling, said: “We were looking for a high-quality candidate with significant leadership and management skills, who could handle a challenging portfolio of responsibilities across financial, people and planning issues. We have certainly found this in Lee.” Carolyn Fowler, currently Academic Registrar and a Durham graduate, will become Acting Registrar at Durham University until a recruitment process for a permanent successor to Mr Sanders takes place in the autumn. Professor Higgins said: “Carolyn has been doing a splendid job as Academic Registrar. I have no doubt at all that she will do a wonderful job in this acting role and very much look forward to working closely with her.”