New university boss facing up to 'difficult' finances

Prof Kevin Shakesheff is the new vice-chancellor at Keele University, starting his role earlier this month

The new boss of Keele University has said he is looking at ways it can grow and is eying greater links with businesses as the institution faces a tough financial position.

Prof Kevin Shakesheff started his role as vice-chancellor earlier this month, and said its finances needed to be carefully managed, but while that was "difficult" it was not "impossible".

Universities across the UK are under financial pressures, with declining income from tuition fees and falling international student recruitment.

At Keele, bosses said they faced a £5m financial deficit in 2025-26, in addition to a previously announced £6m annual savings target.

In May, the university announced plans to cut 150 jobs, a month after some staff members went on strike over cost-cutting measures that would see departments merged.

Despite that, Prof Shakesheff said Keele remained a "really attractive choice for people across the UK, and people locally".

He added recruitment for 2025-26 had been "good", both in terms of UK and international students.

In common with higher education institutions across the country, Keele University is facing pressure on its finances

Prof Shakesheff took over from former vice-chancellor Professor Trevor McMillan, who retired earlier this year after a decade in the role.

He previously worked at the Open University and the University of Nottingham, having completed his undergraduate and PhD degrees at the latter.

Part of his work at Nottingham involved working with local groups and organisations, something he is keen to do more of at Keele, building on the recent launch of the Keele in Town facility in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre.

"When I look at the changes that need to happen, the number one aim is to ensure there is an excellent student experience," he said.

"This really is the conundrum that every university is facing in the UK. We have less money coming in, and therefore we have to juggle, which is a difficult thing to do."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.