UKRI opens voluntary exit scheme
UKRI is to open a voluntary exit scheme to “help build the right skills and structure for the future.” It stresses that this is not a redundancy programme, and is designed to reduce the need for such a move, which “remains a last resort.”
The funder says that it expects its future operating model may mean that “fewer roles are needed in some areas and more in others” – but no decisions have yet been made on what this will mean in practice. UKRI says that its focus is on having the right skills in the right places, rather than headcount reduction.
Part of the rationale is to remove duplication and further unify professional services across the organisation. Speaking to the media, chief executive Ian Chapman said that “huge strides” in this kind of reorganisation had already been made since UKRI brought together the different research councils in 2018, but that there was more to do. He stressed that his overarching objective was to spend the maximum amount of the organisation’s funding settlement on research. He added that the efficiency drive was not at the instigation of government.
Aside from efficiency, UKRI says that it is also looking to “modernise” its operations:
“Ensuring each council has the skills needed for the future, including commercial awareness, strong partnerships, and effective use of new technology such as artificial intelligence.”
Chapman said that the future UKRI workforce will need to be “commercially astute” – he mentioned purchasing ,and relationships with investors and philanthropic organisations, in particular – and adept with technology. He suggested that UKRI was not sufficiently making use of AI itself.
The final motivator of the transformation programme is about reducing UKRI’s spending on its own research programmes, as has been seen with the Science and Technology Facilities Council prioritisation programme.
UKRI has said that any changes will follow “thorough consultation”, that redeployment and reskilling of staff will be prioritised, and that trade unions will be consulted if, following the voluntary exit scheme, it is decided that redundancies are needed.