People Strategy ONLINE_PeopleStrategy.BrochureA5.June0217 | Page 5

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INTRODUCTION FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR
The effectiveness and success of our University depends crucially
upon the contribution made by our staff. Our reputation,
growth and success rely on high levels of staff engagement
and performance, at all levels of our Institution.
Keele boasts a small cosmopolitan community,
dedicated to research and academic
excellence, and offering a unique and
international learning experience. Our staff are
locally connected and internationally relevant
and the work undertaken by all of us, together,
transforms the work and lives of individuals
and communities.
Equality and diversity are at the heart of the
University’s 2015-2020 Strategic Plan in terms
of the services and opportunities we provide,
and through valuing the rights, responsibilities,
dignity, health and wellbeing of all individuals
in the University.
Predicated on partnership in the pursuit
of wider change, this People Strategy
supports the delivery of objectives relating
to recruitment, retention, leadership,
development, inclusion and wellbeing.
It aims to enable and support a culture of
engagement and cohesion within a mind-set
of ambition and growth, and seeks to align
our decision making systems and management
practice with the University’s vision and
values at all levels and across all areas
of the University.
I see it as a priority to develop working
relationships which respect and nurture the
contribution that all of our staff bring to the
University, and to create a strong sense of
ownership, aspiration and ambition. This is
essential if we are to continue to thrive as a
truly world leading University at a time when
we operate within an increasingly competitive
global and domestic environment.
We need to be sufficiently able and agile
to adapt to changes around student demand,
and regulatory/funding arrangements,
and to capitalise on new opportunities for
strategic alliances, research development,
income diversity and new student markets.
External partnership working at all levels
regionally, nationally and internationally will
be important as a basis for sharing learning,
developing our services and operating in a
global staff and student recruitment market.
Internally we need to emphasise staff
involvement, development and recognition
whilst enhancing communication, leadership,
and management development and decision
making processes.
Responding to all these challenges requires
the development of a high performance
culture through a more dynamic leadership
and management approach, which is about
clarity of structure, overcoming obstacles
and developing others.
I hope that all members of the University
can feel an ownership of this People Strategy
as part of our commitment to a strong future
for Keele University.
Professor Trevor McMillan
Vice-Chancellor
keele.ac.uk