David Bell (university administrator)
{{short description|Public policy analyst and university administrator (born 1959)}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = Sir
| name = David Bell
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|KCB|DL}}
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1959}}
| office = Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland
| term_start = 24 September 2018
| predecessor = Shirley Atkinson
| office1 = Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading
| term_start1 = 2012
| term_end1 = September 2018
| predecessor1 = Tony Downes (acting)
| successor1 = Robert Van de Noort
| office2 = Permanent Secretary of the Department for Education{{efn|Known as the Department for Education and Skills from 2001 to 28 June 2007 and the Department for Children, Schools and Families from 28 June 2007 to 2010.}}
| term_start2 = January 2006
| term_end2 = September 2012
| predecessor2 = David Normington
| successor2 = Tom Jeffery (acting)
| office3 = Chief Inspector of Ofsted
| term_start3 = 1 May 2002
| term_end3 = 2006
| predecessor3 = Mike Tomlinson
| successor3 = Maurice Smith (acting)
| alma_mater = University of Glasgow
Jordanhill College of Education (PGCE)
}}
Sir David Robert Bell {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|KCB|DL}} (born March 1959) is a public policy analyst who is Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland. He was previously Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading for six years. Prior to that, he was Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and its predecessor departments from January 2006 until 2012. Before that he was Chief Inspector of Schools at the Office for Standards in Education from 2002.
Early life and career
Bell studied history and philosophy at Glasgow University and obtained his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from Jordanhill College of Education. He also has a Master of Education degree in management and administration from Glasgow University. Bell then held teaching posts at primary schools in Glasgow, moving on to become a deputy head, and then a headteacher at Kingston Primary School, in Thundersley, Essex.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U7113|title=BELL, Sir David (Robert)|last=A & C Black|year=2015|website=Who's Who 2016|publisher=Oxford University Press|access-date=13 March 2016}}
Educational administration
In 1990, Bell became assistant director of education at Newcastle City Council. During this time he spent a year as a Harkness Fellow at Georgia State University, Atlanta, studying education and local government reform across the United States of America. Bell trained as an Ofsted team inspector in 1993. He became a Registered Inspector in 1994 and carried out inspections in primary schools. He was promoted to director of education and libraries at Newcastle City Council in 1995 and became chief executive of Bedfordshire County Council in 2000.
Educational standards
Bell took up his post as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools on 1 May 2002.{{cite web|url=http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/leadership/psmg/PSMG-bios/david-bell.aspx|title=David Bell – Permanent Secretary, Department for Children, Schools and Families|publisher=UK Civil Service|accessdate=14 August 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718164247/http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/leadership/psmg/PSMG-bios/david-bell.aspx|archivedate=18 July 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.reading.ac.uk/about/newsandevents/releases/PR425861.aspx |title=University welcomes new Vice-Chancellor |date=4 January 2012 |work=University of Reading |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223064216/http://www.reading.ac.uk/about/newsandevents/releases/PR425861.aspx |archive-date=23 December 2012 |access-date=4 January 2012 |url-status=dead }} He was Chief Inspector for over three years and, in January 2006, he became Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and Skills, named the Department for Children, Schools and Families from June 2007, and then the Department for Education from May 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2005_0160|title=David Bell Named as new Permanent Secretary at Department for Education and Skills|publisher=Department for Children, Schools and Families|accessdate=14 August 2010}}
University of Reading
In September 2012,{{cite web|title=Our new Vice-Chancellor|url= https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/more/news/story/our-new-vice-chancellor-629|work=The University of Sunderland|date= 9 July 2018|accessdate=24 September 2018}} Bell left the civil service to become the vice-chancellor of the University of Reading. He succeeded Acting Vice-Chancellor Tony Downes.{{cite web|title=University of Reading appoints Permanent Secretary for Education as new Vice-Chancellor|url=http://www.reading.ac.uk/about/newsandevents/releases/PR409551.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908192316/http://www.reading.ac.uk/about/newsandevents/releases/PR409551.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 September 2012|publisher=University of Reading Press Releases|accessdate=10 December 2011}}
In 2016 a move to reorganise the structure of Reading University provoked student protests.{{Cite web|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/university-reading-student-slams-multi-10974928 |title=Cost-cutting review slammed by University of Reading student |last=Hyde |first=Nathan John |work=getreading |date=22 March 2016 |access-date=13 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310184906/http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/university-reading-student-slams-multi-10974928 |archivedate=10 March 2016 }} On 21 March 2016, staff announced a vote of no confidence in Bell,{{Cite web|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/university-reading-vice-chancellor-faces-11070986|title=University of Reading vice chancellor faces vote of no confidence|last=Hyde|first=Nathan|website=getreading|date=22 March 2016 |access-date=29 March 2016}} the no-confidence motion being backed by 88% of those who voted.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-36045536|title='No confidence' in University of Reading vice-chancellor|work=BBC News|date=14 April 2016 |access-date=3 May 2016}}
Bell left the University of Reading in September 2018 and was succeeded by Robert Van de Noort as acting vice-chancellor.{{cite web |title=Professor Robert Van de Noort appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading |url=https://www.reading.co.uk/professor-robert-van-de-noort-appointed/ |work=Reading.co.uk |date=26 February 2019 |access-date=1 May 2022}} Bell had left "under a cloud", according to Times Higher Education{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/sudden-v-c-exits-raise-big-question-who-should-run-universities|title=Tough at the top: v-cs who left under a cloud|last=Morgan|first=John|work=Times Higher Education|date=20 February 2019|access-date=20 February 2019}} when it emerged that Reading had returned a £20 million deficit, largely because of its Malaysia campus.
University of Sunderland
Bell began his new role as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland on 24 September 2018. He announced the closure of history, politics, modern languages and public health courses, and of research in those fields, on 13 January 2020.{{cite web |title=Announcing our career-focused curriculum |url=https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/more/news/story/announcing-our-career-focused-curriculum-1204 |work=The University of Sunderland |date=13 January 2020 |accessdate=22 January 2020}}
= Childcare Centre =
It was announced in an email from Bell on 18 September 2024 that St Mary's Childcare Centre based at City Campus will close permanently on 23 July 2025.Message from VC Childcare Centre Closing.pdf. (n.d.). Google Docs. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from
= National Glass Centre =
Bell announced on 12 January 2023 that the National Glass Centre building would be closed (and probably demolished) within 3 years.{{cite web |date=12 January 2023 |title=New City Centre home being explored for reimagined National Glass Centre |url=https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/more/news/story/new-city-centre-home-being-explored-for-reimagined-national-glass-centre-2032}} Bell says that due to the cost of the relocation estimated at £9.4million, it has instead decided to close the course in summer 2026, with recruitment stopping from September [2024].I hoped to become a glass artist, but the university’s decision has left me shattered. (2024, April 11). Sunderland Echo.
= Restructuring, voluntary severances, and layoffs =
Under Bell's leadership, staff at the University of Sunderland have faced departmental restructuring and combining of facultiesMessage from VC Restructuring.pdf. (n.d.). Google Docs. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from
= Parking fees =
In May 2024, it was announced that parking at the University of Sunderland would see a rise from £1.30 to £6 per day - or 462% - and from 35p to £1.60 per hour.Increase of parking fees at Sunderland Campus @ University of Sunderland Students’ Union. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2024, from
= Graduation fees =
In 2024, the University introduced a £30.00 per guest charge for any students who wish to bring family or friends to their graduation ceremony. Previously free, the Student´s Union has a petition online calling for this to be removed, in recognition of the increased cost of living and job insecurity that students are facing. {{Cite web |title=Free Graduation Ceremony Tickets @ University of Sunderland Students' Union |url=https://www.sunderlandsu.co.uk/thestudentvoice/free-graduation-ceremony-tickets-d447 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=www.sunderlandsu.co.uk}}
Honours
Bell was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2011 Birthday Honours{{London Gazette |issue=59808 |date=11 June 2011 |page=2 |supp=y }} and a Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear in 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3530710 |title=Deputy Lieutenant Commissions |work=The Gazette |access-date=1 May 2022}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{S-gov}}
{{s-bef
| before = Sir Mike Tomlinson
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = Chief Inspector of Ofsted
| years = 2002–2006
}}
{{s-aft
| after = Maurice Smith
{{small|Acting}}
}}
{{s-bef
| before = Sir David Normington
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = Permanent Secretary of the Department for Education and Skills
| years = 2006–2007
}}
{{s-aft
| after = Himself
| as = Permanent Secretary of the Department for Children, Schools and Families
}}
{{s-bef
| before = Himself
| as = Permanent Secretary of the Department for Education and Skills
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = Permanent Secretary of the Department for Children, Schools and Families
| years = 2007–2010
}}
{{s-aft
| after = Himself
| as = Permanent Secretary of the Department for Education
}}
{{s-bef
| before = Himself
| as = Permanent Secretary of the Department for Children, Schools and Families
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = Permanent Secretary of the Department for Education
| years = 2010–2012
}}
{{s-aft
| after = Tom Jeffery
{{small|Acting}}
}}
{{S-aca}}
{{s-bef
| before = Tony Downes
{{small|Acting}}
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading
| years = 2012–2018
}}
{{s-aft
|after = Robert Van de Noort}}
{{s-bef
| before = Shirley Atkinson
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland
| years = 2018–present
}}
{{s-inc}}
{{End box}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bell, David}}
Category:Academics from Glasgow
Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
Category:Permanent Under-Secretaries of State for Education and Skills
Category:Permanent Under-Secretaries of State for Children, Schools and Families
Category:Vice-chancellors of the University of Reading
Category:Alumni of the University of Glasgow
Category:Deputy lieutenants of Tyne and Wear
Category:Presidents of the Association for Science Education