Bristol uni bosses earning above UK average

Vice-chancellors’ “inflation-busting pay hikes” at universities in Bristol have been criticised, as it was revealed both institutions paid their bosses above the national average.

In his last year in the role (2014/15), former University of Bristol vice chancellor Professor Sir Eric Thomas earned £344,000, making him the UK’s 21st best paid university vice-chancellor, according to a new report released by the University and College Union (UCU). His package amounted to a seven per cent pay rise from the previous year.

UWE’s vice-chancellor Professor Steven West earned £302,142 in 2014/15 – receiving a pay rise of two per cent, UCC said (although UWE contest the figure). The UK average vice-chancellor’s pay in 2014/15 was £272,432. University of Bristol’s current vice-chancellor Professor Hugh Brady, appointed last summer, has a salary of £275,000.

The figures are revealed at a time when the pay of rank and file university staff has stagnated in recent years. It also comes as the effects of the rise in tuition fees and growing student debt is beginning to be felt more acutely than ever.

Nick Varney, a UCU regional official, said: “The time has finally come for a frank and open discussion about pay and transparency in higher education. The huge disparities in the levels of pay and pay rises at the top expose the arbitrary nature of senior pay in our universities.

 “While some continue to enjoy inflation-busting pay hikes and all the trimmings of first class flights, staff pay continues to be held down.”

As well as being above the national pay average, both vice-chancellors racked up higher than average flight bills – only flying business or first class in the process. Professor Thomas was the highest with £23,549, making him the 12th highest spender on air fares. Professor West spent £10,399 – above the average vice-chancellor flight bill of £8,560.

Professor Thomas also racked up the third highest hotel bill of the UK vice-chancellors, spending £15,526. The average hotel bill was £2,989. His expenses bill was the eighth highest, declared at £8,764. The average expense bill was £2,205. Professor Thomas was also provided with university-owned accommodation worth £850,000.

A spokesperson for the University of Bristol said: “The Vice-Chancellor is a key figure in the establishment and stewardship of the relationships that attract international students, research income and inward investment to Bristol, and that work inevitably necessitates a significant amount of international travel.

“Sir Eric Thomas was Vice-Chancellor of Bristol University for 14 years, and oversaw a period of expansion and huge success for the University. He voluntarily agreed, for a number of years leading up to his retirement in 2015, to forgo a substantial pa rt of the remuneration package that the University’s Remuneration Committee had approved.

“This demonstrated leadership by example during a continued period of pay restraint across the sector. For Sir Eric’s final year with the University, it was agreed he should take his full entitlement, including a two per cent uplift in base pay entitlement. The latter was in line with that awarded to staff.”

A spokesperson for UWE said West’s actual earnings for 2014/15 were £266,599, making him the lowest paid in the region, but with a university twice the size of local competitors.

They added: “Many of the 30,000 students study in other countries primarily in South East Asia and China which involves international long haul travel often for very intense short periods (two three days on average) and overnight. This way Steve doesn’t lose a day’s business so it is more efficient.

“The vice-chancellor’s flight expenses are low overall for a global university because he is invited to speak by international organisations who fund the travel rather than the costs being borne by the University.

“These figures reflect the international nature of UK universities and how busy some vice-chancellors are.”

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