Academic Registrar & University Secretary Appointment

Specialist health sciences University, AECC University College, is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Thomas as Academic Registrar and University Secretary.

In this new role, Steven will have oversight of Registry functions as well as undertaking the role of Clerk to the Board of Governors.

Steven brings ten years’ experience of working at Birmingham City University to the role, where he most recently held the position of Head of Academic Registry. During this time, Steven oversaw the transformation of many aspects of the student journey, enhancing the role that systems and data played in supporting staff and students.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of AECC University College, Professor Kevin McGhee, said: “This is a very exciting appointment for us. Steven was appointed following a rigorous and highly competitive external recruitment process.

“Steven has a real interest and significant experience in the concept of continuous improvement to systems, processes and services. We are excited for him to bring this insight to AECC University College as we continue our own evolution as a University.

“We are at a really exciting point in our development. We’ve got a long and brilliant heritage behind us that we are very proud of. We are now looking at developing our portfolio so that it meets the needs of changing student populations, and the needs of our local area and work force demands in terms of health sciences.

“This requires us to evolve organisationally. We’re looking to grow and increase our student numbers in line with our strategy, and this gives us the opportunity to think about how we can use systems and data more effectively to help us transform. Steven’s knowledge and experience will be key to this.”

Steven has worked within the HE sector from the very beginning of his career. He has also spent time working in publishing and values the alternative experience that working within the commercial sector has provided.

Commenting on his appointment, Steven said: “It’s not often that you get the opportunity to unify the position of Academic Registrar with University Secretary. This role will help us as an institution to bridge the ‘gap’ which commonly exists between the University College’s internal operations, its compliance and regulatory responsibilities and the Board’s need for assurance, as well as ensuring that we are making effective use of the landscape of management information available to us.

“I look forward to nurturing a collaborative approach at AECC University College, encouraging and empowering teams across our Professional Services and Schools to work ever more closely together.

“It’s important to me that individuals feel that they can come to work and make a difference, which is so fitting with the culture that we have here at the University College.”