Audit committee chairs from across the higher education (HE) sector came together for a virtual roundtable that cut through the noise and tackled the financial realities facing universities today.
With tuition fees frozen, staff costs rising, and uncertainty in both domestic and international student numbers HE institutions (HEIs) are under mounting pressure.
The discussion built on insights from Grant Thornton’s HE sector development report, which explores the sector’s most pressing risks, from immigration policy shifts to the urgent need for income diversification.
Together, the HE sector development report and financial resilience roundtable offer a clear view of what’s next for HE finance leaders.
Here, Stephen Dean and Harriet Taylor-Raine share the key takeaways from the session, which was held under Chatham House Rule.
The topics discussed included:
- Going concern and the importance of a robust assessment
- Identification of key risk areas
- Operational restructuring
- Lending and refinancing
- Reinvestment, franchising and next steps
For more insight and guidance, get in touch with our team: Stephen Dean, Harriet Raine and Chris Petts.
