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Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
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Interim evaluation of the
Leadership Foundation for Higher Education
Challenge
The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE) was launched in 2004 with the aim of developing leadership, governance and management within the UK Higher Education sector.
The four UK HE funding bodies are major financial sponsors. In accordance with existing plans within the original funding agreement drawn up in spring 2004, HEFCE (acting on behalf of the four UK HE funding bodies) commissioned an independent interim evaluation of the performance and impact of the LFHE.
Solution
Oakleigh was selected to deliver this evaluation. We formulated a comprehensive evaluation methodology encompassing both hard (quantitative) and soft (qualitative) aspects of the LFHE's performance.
Our team conducted face-to-face meetings, and telephone calls, with senior colleagues from a large number of HE sector representative bodies and individual HEIs.
In total some 40 individual institutions and a score of representative bodies contributed their views, experiences and reflections on the work and performance of the LFHE. We also conducted a detailed analysis of the LFHE's business plan and examined and tested the underlying assumptions on which it was based.
Oakleigh was well placed to undertake this work. We were able to bring together extensive experience in:
- Organisational reviews.
- Assessing the value for money achieved from programmes of investment.
- Working with the UK educational sector and in particular the University community.
- Leadership, governance and management practice
Outcome
As a consequence of this thorough evaluation we formulated an evidence based assessment of the LFHE's performance. This recognised areas of significant strength in the LFHE's work and also identified a number of areas that required management attention and development.
"Following competitive tender Oakleigh were commissioned by HEFCE to perform the interim evaluation of the performance and impact of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE).
Oakleigh formulated a comprehensive evaluation methodology encompassing both hard (quantitative) and soft (qualitative) aspects of the LFHE's performance.
We (and the other review sponsors comprising UUK, SFC, HEFCW and DeLNI) were delighted with the quality of the work performed by the Oakleigh team , Andy Shenstone and Mike Allen. The consultants displayed a deep understanding of the sector, a highly effective approach to securing consultee engagement and the necessary deftness of touch in approaching issues of particular sensitivity.
Throughout the study both we and the LFHE were kept appraised of key developments and emerging issues. The report we received has provided an excellent foundation for taking forward the work of the LFHE and has added real value to this complex and challenging area."
Head of Leadership Governance and Management, HEFCE.
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