University funding to be discussed at Queen’s

The future management of university funding in the UK will be debated at a major national conference at Queen's University next week.

Around 120 finance chiefs from universities throughout the UK and Ireland will be visiting the campus for the annual conference of the British Universities Finance Directors Group (BUFDG).

Welcoming the conference, Queen's Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson said: "My fellow Vice-Chancellors and I look to the British Universities Finance Directors Group to highlight strategic issues and how we influence our external stakeholders, whether they be funders of research or commissioners of healthcare education.

"The Group therefore plays a hugely important role both at a strategic and operational level in the sector, and its annual conference provides an excellent opportunity for discussion, networking and the sharing of good practice.

Addressing the theme ‘Leadership in a Competitive World’, the event takes place from Sunday to Wednesday, 20 to 23 March.

Keynote speakers will include Mike Beasley, former Managing Director of Jaguar Cars; Edward Wooldridge, Chief Executive of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education and former Queen's Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir George Bain.

(MB/SP)