Sir David Normington steps down as Chair of Council
After 14 years of outstanding service to Warwick, Sir David Normington has stepped down as Chair of our University Council.
We caught up with him to find out his highlights and what advice he has for any future Chairs of Council.
David, what has been your proudest moment as Chair of Council?
"There are many. But if I have to choose one, it was when Warwick was awarded gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework. Gold for student experience, gold for student outcomes and gold overall. For me it was an affirmation that what we offer our students is the very best quality educational experience. Very few other universities, particularly in the Russell Group, have achieved that."
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced while at Warwick?
"Undoubtedly Covid. Suddenly, we were faced with closing down the University, putting our teaching and assessment online, looking after our students who could not get home and safeguarding our financial position. It was unthinkable. But we learned that, if we all worked together as a team, we could move very fast.
What was achieved in the spring and summer of 2020 by the staff of the University in supporting students with online teaching and assessment and in safeguarding our finances was remarkable."
You’ve been at Warwick for 14 years, how have you seen Warwick change during this time?
"The campus has grown. The number of students has grown. The student body is more diverse. Research grants are at record levels. We have managed at the same time to be more rooted in our community and region, while also becoming more international in our outlook and partnerships.
Nothing is the same as it was in 2011, when I first joined Council. Except perhaps that spirit of ambition, enterprise and innovation, for which Warwick has always been famous."
What advice would you give to the next Chair of Council?
"First, be confident. These are challenging times for universities in the UK but Warwick is in a much stronger position than most, including financially. Above all don’t row back on the major investments we are planning in science and social sciences; they are both essential to making Warwick fit for the future.
Secondly, be innovative and keep focussed on the needs of students. The future is unlikely to be just about the present pattern of degrees, both undergraduate and postgraduate. Future students are likely to want more online provision, a different pattern for the university year, shorter courses, maybe shorter degrees. We should never assume that what is right for today is what students will want in the future.
Thirdly, keep your eye on the international competition, which gets stronger every year, particularly from China and South East Asia. Warwick needs to be in the top 50 (it is currently 69th) in the world. That should be its long-term goal because it will open up new, and hitherto unimagined, opportunities for research partnerships and the recruitment of the best international students."
What’s next for you?
"I have no immediate plans to replace my commitment to Warwick. After 14 years on the Council, I will take a break and see what comes along. Of course I have quite a number of other commitments, including chairing Birmingham Royal Ballet, which keeps me pretty busy."
What will you miss most about the Warwick community?
"The people, always the people. Including of course, Stuart Croft, our brilliant Vice-Chancellor, with whom I have worked most closely over the last eight years. Someone who attended one of our open days a few weeks ago told me that they had encountered "brains with kindness". I thought that was a lovely tribute. Great people with a commitment to change the world for the better. What’s not to like?"
Sir David Normington has been honoured with Chancellor’s Medal and as a lasting tribute to his service, the theatre at Warwick Arts Centre has been named in his honour and will now be known as the Normington Theatre.
Neil Sachdev, current member of Council, will be taking on the role of Chair of Council. We will share more about his appointment soon.