Bath University chancellor criticised over pay rise

A rise awarded to the country's highest-paid university vice-chancellor has been defended because of her "stellar" success.

Bath University's Prof Dame Glynis Breakwell's salary rose by nearly 4% to £468,000 in 2016-17, according to minutes of its remuneration committee.

Thomas Sheppard, chair of the university's governing body, said he's "not embarrassed by what they pay her."

But a senior academic says she should have refused the increase.

"She is paid too much. Nobody needs that kind of money," said Dr Michael Carley, a senior lecturer in engineering and president of the University and College Union in Bath.

"It's also a question of leadership. When she got 4%, we got 1.1%. If times are hard a good leader will set an example and say ok I won't take a pay rise."

Mr Sheppard accepted that Prof Breakwells's pay was high.

"But nonetheless we have to recognise under the vice-chancellor's leadership this university has been stellar in what it's achieved," he said.

"Not to decry the staff who make it all happen, but you need to have a leader to get there."

A university spokesman said Prof Breakwell was "not available for interview".

'Damaged reputation'

Meanwhile, Bath University has been strongly criticised by the watchdog, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), over its handling of matters related to senior pay.

In its report published on Monday, the HEFCE said the way the institution had handled the issue had "damaged its reputation" and was "flawed".

Thirteen recommendations for improvements were made and the university's authorities have apologised.

They said they stand ready to make the changes needed and to continue delivering "excellent" teaching to students and "world-leading" research with partners in the future.