Nottingham Trent University’s former vice-chancellor has been revealed to be the highest paid in the country receiving £623,000.
Nottingham Trent University said that the figure included monetary benefits paid to the ex vice-chancellor Professor Neil Gorman over a five year period.
The findings come from the University and College Union who submitted a freedom of information act to 155 higher education institutions.
Professor Edward Peck was appointed as the new vice-chancellor at Nottingham Trent University in August last year.
His salary is set at £240,000 a year which the university said reflects the size and responsibilities of the role and is appropriate for a vice-chancellor in the higher education sector.
Image: Nottingham Trent University where the ex vice-chancellor was the highest paid in the country.
Richard Bullock, Chairman of Nottingham Trent University’s Board of Governors said: “We are delighted to have appointed Professor Edward Peck as our new vice-chancellor from August 2014.”
“He brings a wealth of academic experience and the Board look forward to working with him for the next stage of Nottingham Trent University’s development.”
The freedom of information request by the University and College Union showed that the average salary for a university vice-chancellor was £260,000 – 6.4 times more than the average salary of other university staff members.
It also showed university leaders expenses including hotels and flights with over two thirds of vice-chancellor in the UK flying first or business class.
‘National scandal’
University and College Union general secretary, Sally Hunt said: “Many staff and students will be amazed at the size of vice-chancellors’ salaries.”
“That this is happening in public institutions which are largely funded by the taxpayer and students, it makes the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding senior pay and perks a national scandal”, she said.
Top ten vice-chancellor pay 2013/14 according to the University and College Union Freedom of Information request:
Nottingham Trent University – Prof Neil Gorman – £623,000
London Metropolitan University – Prof Malcolm Gillies – £453,000
University of Oxford – Prof Andrew Hamilton – £442,000
London Business School – Prof Sir Andrew Likierman – £419,000
The Open University – Martin Bean – £412,000
University of Birmingham – Prof Sir David Eastwood – £410,000
University of Exeter – Prof Steve Smith – £400,000
University of Bath – Prof Glynis Breakwell – £395,000
London School of Economics – Prof Craig Calhoun – £394,000
University of Surrey – Sir Christopher Snowden – £392,000
Students have their say
Many students at Nottingham Trent University spoke out about the former university boss’ pay packet.
First year Broadcast Journalism student, Anthony Sinclair, 19, said: “I just want to know how it’s justified and how he got paid more than vice-chancellors at other universities. It is a great uni but what makes this uni more special that others.”
Student Anthony Sinclair
“When you talk about expenses students are told to budget constantly and that is just the solution to everything when we struggle. For him to have these lavish expenses were there any cheaper alternatives.”
Third year International Fashion Business students Olivia Wright, 22 and Danielle Mayo, 21 were both unhappy with the amount Professor Neil Gorman had been paid as well.
Miss Wright said: “It is awful we are struggling with our fees, we are struggling with having a part-time job in our third year and he is getting paid a lot of money.”
Image: Olivia Wright, 22, International Fashion Business at NTU
“That money should have gone to us because we are the reason he is here.”
The student also thinks that more transparency is needed for her to feel confident in what her £9,000 of student fees are being used for.
“We should be told in the beginning where all our money goes because I do wonder and then I can come to uni knowing its going to a good place not just to up someone’s salary”, she said.
Miss Mayo said that it was a joke and doesn’t look good on the university.
“If I am spending £9,000 a year studying here I would like to know that the money is going into the university not the guy who is running it.”
Image: Danielle Mayo, 21, International Fashion Business student at NTU
“It is almost impossible for us to live on the student loans we are on I just don’t think that is fair at all.”
She said that although a lot of money has been spent on facilities at the university she would like more computers in the library as it can get overcrowded.
They should focus on putting the money into something that is a bit more worthwhile”
Danielle Mayo, 21 third year International Fashion Business student
University and College Union said it has called for ministers to introduce a national register of pay and perks for university leaders which would also state the reasons for any increases.
Sally Hunt said: “We need agreed standards for open and transparent governance in our universities so trust in the system is restored.”
24 of the 155 institutions did not provide responses to any of the union’s FOI requests.
