"Quest for the Best"? Drivers and Outcomes of Recent Change to PVC Appointment Practice

Increasingly, pre-1992 universities are moving away from the traditional fixed-term secondment model of appointing their Deputy and Pro Vice Chancellors (PVCs) to one of external open competition, often utilising the services of executive search agencies, or ‘head hunters’. This study examines who and what is driving this change and explores its implications – intended or otherwise – both for the individuals concerned and for their institutions.

Has the adoption of new recruitment practice led to a change in the profile of successful candidates? Or improved management capacity? And is it an example of the ‘managerialism’ that is said to be pervading universities at the expense of academic power?

Findings, including from an online survey and over 70 interviews with Vice-Chancellors, PVCs and ‘next tier’ managers, will be presented that will provide some answers to these questions. Your feedback on the initial data analysis and conceptual development will be invited.