UCL Professional Services: Awards success

15 February 2017 saw the 3rd UCL Professional Services Conference take place in the UCL Institute of Education. Just under 700 people registered for the event from across UCL.

The theme of the day was the ‘Student Journey’, from recruitment to graduation and beyond. Our keynote speaker was Nica Burns OBE, a Laws graduate, who is now a renowned theatre producer. Nica gave a sensational perfomance, rather than a formal presentation, encouraging us all to be bold and to aspire to make a difference.

The keynote was followed by short presentations: TOPS (Transforming Our Professional Services); UCL estate developments in Transforming UCL; and a final presentation on networking skills from our host for the day Sue Tonks.

The ‘Student Journey’ was then portrayed in a bustling marketplace, which allowed Professional Services, and professional service colleagues based in academic settings, to learn more about how students are supported throughout their association with UCL. After this session, the UCL Leadership panel – comprising the Provost, Wendy Appleby Registrar, David Price Vice-Provost for Research, Dame Nicola Brewer Vice-Provost International, and Celia Caulcott Vice-Provost Innovation & Enterprise – answered questions from the audience on subjects as varied as Brexit, student fees and TOPS.

The final session of the day was the Presentation of Professional Service Awards in 5 categories, for which there were just under 100 entries. One of the categories was Brand Ambassador, and I am delighted to say that this was won (in the face of very stiff competition) by UCL Press, pictured above receiving their Award. It is an outstanding result and the whole team is to be congratulated.

I was honoured to be co-chair of the UCL Professional Services Organising Committee which oversaw the event. It was a great day for networking and community building – with the added bonus of a prestigious Award for UCL Library Services as well.

Paul Ayris

Pro-Vice-Provost