Case study: Vice Chancellor recruitment | Lincoln Bishop University
We were delighted to support Lincoln Bishop University with Vice Chancellor recruitment. Learn more about our process!
Lincoln Bishop University (LBU) is located in the heart of historic Lincoln. Founded in 1862 as a Church of England teacher training college for women, it gained university status in 2012 and is part of the Cathedrals Group of universities. LBU has around 300 staff and 2,300 students spread across five academic programme portfolios studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. LBU is committed to widening participation in higher education, with 64% of current students being first-generation and 37% identifying as disabled. In the NSS 2024, LBU was ranked 1st in the UK for Student Voice, Academic Support, Learning Opportunities, Assessment and Feedback and Learning Resources.
Context.
With the imminent departure of LBU’s interim Vice Chancellor, the Council was seeking a permanent replacement to lead the organisation through its next phase of transformation. Over the past year, the interim VC and executive leadership team led the university through a period of financial recovery and cross-institutional improvements to ensure the future sustainability of the institution. The new VC would take a lead on the development and implementation of LBU’s next institutional strategy, delivering sustainable growth, maintaining an excellent student experience and raising the reputation of the university across the sectors and communities it serves.
Having partnered with LBU on the successful appointment of multiple governing council members, including the Chair of Council, which strengthened the expertise and diversity of the council membership through gender, ethnic, disability and LGBTQ representation, LBU invited Peridot Partners to support them once again in engaging their next Vice Chancellor.
Brief.
Following comprehensive briefings with all stakeholders, including the Council and executive and senior leaders, it became very apparent that it would be essential that the new Vice Chancellor had significant experience in driving positive change and efficiencies in the best interests of students and staff through senior or executive leadership roles within a relevant education setting. They must be committed to continuing the transformation programme already underway and be skilled in empowering their staff teams across the faculty and professional services to lead effective change in their areas.
Candidates would need to demonstrate a visible and approachable leadership style and bring a strong understanding of academic portfolio development, apprenticeships, external partnerships and stakeholder engagement — and research and knowledge exchange activities within a UK higher education setting or equivalent. It was essential that candidates could align their own personal and professional values with LBU’s mission as a university with a strong social purpose and public service ethos.
Process.
We led a national search to identify candidates with the relevant experience, skills and motivations, engaging with higher education Pro Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice Chancellors and Provosts across a range of institutions, as well as executive leaders from similar education organisations, including further education providers with significant higher education and apprenticeship portfolios.
Following a thorough and inclusive search, application and selection process, LBU selected six candidates to interview at the first stage, with applicants representing gender, age and ethnic diversity and bringing leadership experience from across the further and higher education sectors.
Three candidates were invited to the final stage interview, which included stakeholder panels, a presentation and a psychometric assessment.
Outcome.
The selection panel was delighted to appoint an incredibly experienced executive leader who brought experience and insight of leadership across higher, further and adult education and had been leading an adult education college of comparable size for almost a decade.
The new VC brought significant experience of organisational transformation and strategy development, including oversight of a merger and significant growth in provision and standards. An academic by training and with a strong alignment to the ethos and mission of LBU, the new VC had a breadth of sector knowledge that would benefit LBU’s ambitions to grow provision across apprenticeships, partnerships and online delivery.
Category: Case studies
Consultant in charge
Dr Sophie Carney
Principal Consultant | Higher Education
Dr Sophie Carney is passionate about higher education, with 16 years of experience on every side of the table – as student, researcher, lecturer, and student services manager.
Having spent over ten years working in higher education as an academic and in student support services, Dr Sophie Carney was keen to continue her career by supporting the sector to recruit transformative leaders.
As the Principal Consultant for Higher Education Appointments in Peridot's Education Practice, Sophie leads on the appointment of executive, academic and professional services leaders across the higher education sector. Sophie also leads on the recruitment of outstanding talent to the governing councils, boards and committees of higher education providers, universities and other sector bodies, with a track record of appointing chairs, vice chairs, independent members, non-executive directors and committee members.
Higher education has provided Sophie with many opportunities for personal and professional development. She enjoys working with clients and candidates who are equally driven by their passion for the opportunities and transformative impact of higher education on the lives of thousands of students.
When she's not at work, you will most likely find Sophie walking her cockapoo, Bella, along the River Trent, browsing around the antique shops of Newark, or wading through a pile of historical fiction novels and art history tomes.
Approachable, insightful, and passionate about education, Sophie brings a wealth of experience and a personal touch to each appointment she leads. Her deep understanding of the sector and commitment to supporting educational leadership make her a trusted advisor and consultant to transform leadership and inspire change across the higher education sector.
