Dear colleagues,

Our monthly In conversation events are an important opportunity to come together as a community and I find each one valuable. For those able to join, I hope you found last Thursday’s event useful and informative. 

This session focused on operational issues, including pay and HR. Thanks to Ian Walmsley (Provost) and Harbhajan Brar (Director of HR) for setting out the latest on our pay, pensions, career progression and development for Imperial’s staff, and to Robert Kerse (Chief Operating Officer) for talking us through our wider plans to support all our employees, improve our systems and update our campuses. Our people are Imperial’s best and most important asset. Making sure everyone feels supported, motivated and able to thrive at work is core to Imperial’s bright future. 

Thank you for the thoughtful questions submitted in advance and on the day. This week’s Staff Briefing newsletter will include a summary and you can also watch a recording of Thursday’s session. 

As you know, we have been discussing our collective ambitions for Imperial’s future and how our new institutional strategy will support them. You have already been a big part of this conversation and I am grateful for your input. We will launch our new strategy in March next year to give us time to fully develop these ideas. There will be more opportunities to respond to the final phase of our strategy development in the coming weeks and months.

I would also like to thank everyone who has written to me about the deeply distressing events in the Middle East. My priority is to ensure we support everyone in our community who is affected. We must take care of each other – whether that is checking in on colleagues, or making sure everyone can access the support and services Imperial has on offer. You can find out more about our wellbeing services for staff and students, including our Report and Support tool, our Chaplaincy Multi-Faith Centre and our Confidential Care line which offers 24/7 support and counselling for staff. 

I also want to take an opportunity to mark some significant moments for our community.  Earlier this month we marked Commemoration Day. It was a pleasure to celebrate our newest graduates – and our Imperial College Medal and President’s Medal winners – and to hear more about their achievements and share our appreciation. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this special day run smoothly. 

Finally, a reminder of two events for your diary. Robert Kerse will host an open session aimed at professional services staff (but open to everyone) on Tuesday 7 November. And our next In conversation event will be on Wednesday 22 November, 10.30-11.30, hosted by our Provost, Professor Ian Walmsley. I hope you will be able to join.

Best wishes,

Hugh