Departed De Montfort University vice-chancellor gets £270,000 payout

Responding to De Montfort University's statement on governance and the revelation that Professor Shellard was awarded £270,000 following his resignation earlier this year, UCU acting general secretary, Paul Cottrell, said:

'It is astounding that despite serious failures of leadership and governance by Professor Shellard, De Montfort University's governors still saw fit to award him a whopping £270,000 after his departure. UCU has repeatedly warned that a lack of accountability on senior pay and perks is damaging confidence in our universities.

'Institutions cannot continue to plead poverty on staff pay while rewarding their leaders so handsomely and with so little scrutiny. The time has come for proper transparency of pay and perks in higher education, and for staff and students to be given a seat at the top table.'