Leadership in Finance - interim arrangements

06 Aug 2019

Interim arrangements in place to lead the Directorate of Finance

Following the announcement last month that our Director of Finance, Steve Dauncey is retiring later this year, interim arrangements have been put in place to lead the Directorate.

David Soutter will join us from 13 August as Interim Finance Director, working three days a week for six months. He will join the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the Professional Services Senior Leadership Team (PSLT).

David is an experienced interim with a strong track record in interim and permanent roles leading university finance departments, including the Universities of Liverpool, Hull and Gloucester.  He spent 15 years at Coventry University, from 2001-16, progressing from Group Finance Director to Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

A graduate of Trinity College Oxford, David is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW); and member of ICAEW Faculty of Finance and Management.

Steve Dauncey will be staying with us to hand over to David and to oversee the key financial activities for year end.  Steve will also assist in the evaluation of ID Manchester until a permanent successor is in post.  An executive search for the Finance Director post will begin in September.

Commenting on the new arrangements, Patrick Hackett, Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, said: “I am pleased we have been able to secure, in David Soutter, a talented and experienced interim finance leader with a deep understanding of the HE sector. He will provide support to our excellent senior leadership team within the Directorate of Finance.

"I am also grateful to Steve for his flexibility in supporting us during the transition and with ID Manchester.”