Hefcw chief executive gets £192K payout as funder disbanded

The chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (Hefcw) is to receive a payout of nearly £200,000 when he steps down ahead of the organisation’s disbandment.

Hefcw will be dissolved at the end of March 2024 when its duties are taken up by the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER), a new post-16 regulator overseeing further education, higher education, apprenticeships, sixth forms and Welsh-government funded research and innovation.

At that point the role of Hefcw chief executive, held by David Blaney since 2012, will cease to exist. CTER’s chief executive is Simon Pirotte, former principal of Bridgend College.

In a statement issued on 22 November, Hefcw said that it had reached a “voluntary exit agreement” with Dr Blaney and that he would leave in February 2024.

“Acting as the employer, in consultation with and with guidance from Welsh government officials, Hefcw has agreed a voluntary exit with David Blaney. Dr Blaney will receive an exit payment of £192,000 in accordance with the terms provided by the Civil Service Compensation Scheme,” the funder said.

“The exit required, and received, the prior approval of the Welsh ministers in accordance with the Civil Service Compensation Scheme delegated approval process.”

Dr Blaney, a former assistant principal of the University of Wales, Newport – now part of the University of South Wales – has worked at Hefcw since 2005. Before becoming chief executive, he was head of funding and reconfiguration, and director of strategic development.

Dr Blaney said that it had been “a privilege to serve as chief executive of Hefcw and a pleasure to work with a dedicated team of colleagues, who are committed to the success of higher education in Wales”.

He added: “As my colleagues move into CTER, they will take with them all that has worked well at Hefcw and I wish all colleagues in the commission, and in the wider higher education sector, every success for the future.”

Dr Blaney’s salary in 2021-22 was £136,014, according to Hefcw’s most recent annual report. In addition to this, he received pension benefits valued at £31,155 – putting his total remuneration at £167,169.

Rob Humphreys, Hefcw’s chair, said Dr Blaney had served the funder “with distinction for almost two decades”.

“He has ensured that the higher education sector in Wales is regulated and funded in a manner that promotes excellence in teaching and research, and incentivises HE institutions to be globally ambitious while proactively contributing to their communities and to the nation as a whole,” Mr Humphreys said.

“The esteem that David is held in by senior figures within higher education across Wales and the wider UK is testament to his sustained high-quality contribution. On behalf of Hefcw I thank him for his leadership and commitment; he departs with our deep gratitude and very best wishes for the future.”

CTER is being chaired by Dame Julie Lydon, former vice-chancellor of the University of South Wales. Its deputy chair is David Sweeney, the former executive chair of Research England.

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com