Prime Minister for a day…?
Massive investment in schools, sports and cultural facilities. All-in-one educational campuses. Compulsory education until 18 including apprenticeship qualifications. Focus on future planning and priorities, not short-term political gain!
Favourite city?
Rome. Step into 3000 years and countless layers and eras of history and art - Etruscan, Roman, Papal and more... And great food. I hear Buenos Aries is amazing too.
An ambition?
To fly in a Spitfire over the White Cliffs. During the Battle of Britain, pilots similar in age to our tenants to took off every day in these majestic aircraft not knowing if they would be returning. The Spitfire is an icon of engineering and design, was first built in Southampton and RJ Mitchell, its designer, lived in Highfield.
Some business mantras?
Where there’s a will, there’s a way; you can’t over-communicate; treat everyone considerately; set expectations early on!
The future for universities?
The future is bright. There is a misconception that technology may render university teaching redundant. The opposite is true. Technology is already being harnessed to enhance the educational experience. Studying from home has the same limitations as working from home. We all need human connection, the ability to work together and bounce ideas off each other - in person.
