As I step down from my role as Executive Director, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the truly wonderful community of HESPA colleagues, members and the wider PHES family. It has been an honour to work alongside such committed, thoughtful and talented people to serve the community of individuals shaping strategy, insight and planning at the heart of UK higher education.
HESPA’s journey has unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing and complex sector-wide challenges which have highlighted the vital role of strategic planning in higher education These include the introduction of the Office for Students and sustained regulatory pressure; the increasing demands of data and digital transformation, including the rollout of Data Futures; mounting financial pressures, with a particular focus on long-term sustainability; evolving student expectations and experiences; and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, reflected in shifts in internationalisation.
These pressures continue to shape the environment in which our members operate, and HESPA remains committed to improving their working lives and equipping them with the tools, insight and connections they need to deliver meaningful impact for their institutions.
Thanks to the tireless work of our community, HESPA is a confident, forward-looking association - well positioned to support members in navigating complexity, responding to change and sustaining the essential contribution of higher education to society.
I wish the incoming Executive Director every success and happiness in the role. This is a truly exciting time to be joining HESPA and stepping into a role that offers the chance to lead and support a brilliant community of professionals. I know the new Executive Director will be welcomed with the same warmth, energy and support that I’ve been so lucky to experience. As for me, I’m always open to conversations and collaborations - please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
All the very best
Jen Summerton
