HEPN North 2026

Loading

The entrepreneurial university: collaboration for a sustainable future

01 May 2026
Main Room
Strategy & Leadership Finance & Sustainability

As higher education enters a new era defined by financial constraint, technological change and shifting learner expectations, universities must re-examine what it means to be entrepreneurial. With close to 40% of institutions operating in deficit in 2025, the challenge is no longer just balancing the books, it's reimagining the university's role in a rapidly evolving ecosystem ' do we need to act more like businesses? This panel gathers leaders to rethink traditional models and explore strategic responses to current fiscal pressures. Discussion will focus on creating sustainable financial strategies that balance long-term resilience with short-term agility. How can institutions diversify income streams, reduce operational inefficiencies?

Chairperson
Ceri Nursaw, Chief Executive - NCEE
Speakers
Mehjabeen Patrick, Chief Finance and Operations Officer - Arts University Bournemouth
Mark White, Chief Financial Officer - Aberdeen University