Cardiff University has launched another major restructuring initiative, offering voluntary redundancy to professional services staff as it continues to grapple with significant financial pressures.
Financial Challenges Drive Changes
The university is confronting a £30 million deficit that has already prompted widespread cuts across academic departments. In a letter to all affected staff, Chief Operating Officer Dr Paula Sanderson outlined the proposed changes and consultation process for four areas of professional services.
A university spokesperson emphasised that the restructuring of non-academic staff would not result in compulsory redundancies, though voluntary severance is being offered. A formal consultation has been initiated due to changes in roles and teams within the new structure.
Ongoing Restructuring Process
These latest changes follow controversial academic cuts that were finally ratified by the university's governing council in June after six months of disputes, protests and public backlash. The earlier restructuring of academic staff saw department closures and job losses aimed at securing £22 million in annual savings.
Non-academic staff affected by the current proposals are being summoned to meetings to discuss the changes and consultation process. The university maintains that these latest proposals are not driven by cost-cutting and that positions exist for all staff within the proposed new framework.
Voluntary Redundancy Scheme Details
Dr Sanderson informed staff: "I understand that some of our professional services colleagues may decide they do not wish to continue the journey with us, and we are opening a voluntary redundancy scheme to eligible colleagues."
The scheme offers the same terms provided to academic colleagues during the previous collective consultation for 'Our Academic Future'. The university aims to notify staff who apply for voluntary redundancy of the outcome by 19 December.
A Cardiff University spokesperson stated: "We have today announced a consultation on proposed new structures for Professional Services staff working in our Colleges and Schools, Education and Student Experience Services, Postgraduate Research and Graduate School support and Hybiau."
The consultation period will continue until February 2026, with trade unions participating throughout the process. The university has committed to providing support and training for staff whose posts may change as part of the restructuring.
Meanwhile, the academic restructuring continues to have repercussions. As the current term began, almost 200 academic staff remained at risk of redundancy across the schools of foreign languages, history, religion and music. The university has acknowledged it cannot exclude the possibility of compulsory redundancy for these staff members.
