UKRI opens voluntary exit scheme as part of staff reorganisation

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is launching an organisation-wide voluntary exit scheme after announcing it needs to lose hundreds of roles within its Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

The scheme aims to reduce the likelihood of later redundancies, UKRI staff were informed on 13 October. The agency said the changes are being driven by a need to improve efficiency, “modernise the organisation” and to reduce its spending “to manage cost pressures in parts of its research programmes” – notably at STFC.

Speaking at a briefing to journalists, Ian Chapman, the organisation’s chief executive said: “We are not aiming…to reduce headcount in any particular area.” He also declined to put a number on how many roles the organisation is seeking to reduce.

Chapman previously said the headcount within the STFC would need to be reduced in the order of hundreds. The STFC is facing cost overruns of around £600 million over four years, placing pressure on the organisation more widely.

When asked how the exit scheme relates to the STFC headcount reduction needs, Chapman said: “If we had hundreds apply through voluntary exit, then those two things could potentially square away. And we might not have to do another phase.”

As part of the efficiency drive, UKRI said it is seeking to remove duplication and unify professional services “so more funding reaches research and innovation directly”.

Chapman stressed that the organisation is not under pressure from the government to reduce headcount, and that he will likely hire additional roles to bolster parts of the organisation where he has identified a “skills deficit”. “We expect our future operating model may mean fewer roles are needed in some areas and more in others,” UKRI said.

“We will be looking to increase our commercial acumen,” Chapman said, as UKRI is asking: “how do we create a bigger investment pool of capital, which goes into the research and innovation sector?”

“I think we don’t have enough people with that [investor] background and that expertise,” he said.

Chapman said the organisation is also looking for more people with technological skills, to help UKRI consider how it can “adopt the latest technology into our workflows; how can we use AI and other advances in digital tech?” As an organisation, Chapman said: “We invest in AI. We invest in cutting edge digital and deep tech. [But] we don’t employ it enough ourselves.”

UKRI has recently released proposals for embedding artificial intelligence within the organisation’s grant application review process. These include using in-person interviews for “higher-risk” awards “where additional assurances are required” and asking UKRI staff to conduct more triage exercises.

UKRI said: “Where further workforce change is needed, redeployment and reskilling will be explored first and we will consult with trade unions.”

In a statement, Chapman said: “The [voluntary exit scheme] is the first step to helping ensure we are a more agile organisation, able to take faster decisions and ensure we are maximising value from public, private and partner investment.”

frances.jones@timeshighereducation.com