Director of Estates
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The University of Birmingham With more than 7,000 staff and 30,000 students we are a leading Russell Group University. Our heritage as the UK’s original ‘redbrick’ and civic, is combined with one of the most compelling and ambitious agendas in higher education. Quite simply, at Birmingham we make things happen. Home to world-class researchers – whose work in everything from developing next generation engine technologies to harnessing quantum technology to solve everyday problems makes a real difference to people’s lives – we provide innovative solutions to big problems. We think, recruit and compete worldwide. Being named the Times and Sunday Times University of the Year 2013–14 recognised a transformative time in our history characterised by our bold, ambitious strategy and innovative approach to the challenges facing the sector. The University is a pioneer in sector-leading initiatives, including our ‘Birmingham Fellows’ programme, which has so far seen around 70 of the world’s best early career academics join us; and the much-emulated unconditional offers strategy for exceptional students. We have a clear vision for the future, ambitious leadership, world-leading academic strengths and a secure financial base. With an annual turnover of more than £520 million, we use our financial strength to invest in the intellectual and physical future of the University. We have been encouraging bold, independent thinking and providing exceptional academic programmes that stretch and challenge for more than a century, and the new University of Birmingham School will continue this tradition; providing an outstanding academic education for the city’s young people and serving as a centre of teacher education in the region. Birmingham is a leading member of the Russell Group and a founder member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities ( www.universitas21.com ) and our Vice-Chancellor is the current Chair of both groups. Exceptional research The University is one of the UK’s most successful institutions in terms of attracting research funding. We have a portfolio of over 2,600 live projects with an award value to the University of £594 million. Eight Nobel Prize winners have worked or studied at Birmingham. Our research record speaks for itself. More than 80 per cent of all research carried out at Birmingham is rated as internationally excellent or world-leading, according to the latest UK-wide research quality survey (REF 2014). The results also showed that 87 per cent of our research activity has a global impact, confirming our position among the world’s top universities for research in a broad range of areas, from History and Education to Chemical Engineering and Psychology. Long established as a pioneer in the field of medicine, Birmingham scientists were the brains behind the first heart pacemaker, the use of aspirin and the synthesis of Vitamin C. ‘Great minds, in the right location’ sums up our unique combination of cutting-edge laboratory work, clinical expertise and first-class surgical facilities all housed on one vast life sciences campus. The Institute of Translational Medicine (ITM), which is scheduled to open later this year, will build on Birmingham’s excellent track record in clinical trials and help to progress the very latest scientific research findings from the University into enhanced treatments for patients across a range of major health issues including cancer and liver disease. Bringing together the University, the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, and Birmingham Children’s Hospital, it will increase capacity and enable more patients to be co-located alongside clinicians and researchers. It will also make it easier for firms to engage with clinicians and academics, bringing additional investment into the city. This vision is reflected in Birmingham’s ambitious project to create a four hectare science park specifically for the life sciences adjacent to the University and Hospital to attract cutting edge health and pharmaceutical research firms into the city, driving economic growth alongside medical and scientific innovation. These investments reinforce the University’s position today as a world leader in, for example, the development of new treatments for cancer, heart, and liver disease, as well as innovative transplant technologies and new drugs to combat antibiotic resistance.
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