New board members for the Higher Education Funding Council for England

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts today (6th February 2014) announced the appointment of Peter Houillon and Apurv Bagri to the board of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). The new board members will take up their roles from 1 March 2014 and will be paid and will be paid an honorarium of £5,000 per annum. The HEFCE’s main functions are to distribute over £4.5 billion to support teaching and research in 130 institutions of higher education and higher education courses at over 150 further education colleges.

Members of the board, including the Chair and Chief Executive, have collective responsibility for the control and management of HEFCE as a corporate body. The board is responsible for developing policies and ensuring that projects, programmes and activities undertaken by HEFCE are consistent with the overall provisions of the FHE Act and any guidance or directions issued by the Secretary of State.

About Peter Houillon

Peter Houillon is the Chief Executive Officer of Kaplan UK and Ireland, which delivers professional training for qualifications, business and management courses, and higher education programmes. He has been influential in transforming the performance and profile of qualification training in the UK through the implementation and operation of e-learning, publishing and innovative delivery. Previously, Peter was chief operating officer and head of Kaplan’s London training operations. He is a qualified accountant with a professional practice background and more than 20 years of experience in business and financial education and training. As a committed educationalist, Peter is passionate about providing the best support and learning environment for candidates and employers.

About Apurv Bagri

The Hon Apurv Bagri is President and CEO of the Metdist Group of companies. He is an Honours graduate in Business Administration from Cass Business School and has an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from City University London. He currently serves as Deputy Chairman of London Business School and from May 2014 will become Chairman of the School’s Governing Body. He is the former Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council of City University London where he is now an Honorary Rector, and he is a visiting Professor at Cass Business School. He is a member of the Corporation, University College School.

He is Chairman of the board of The Royal Parks, a Member of the board of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), a past Chairman and current board member of the International Wrought Copper Council, a Commissioner of the Crown Estate Paving Commission, a Trustee of Asia House, and a past Chairman and current board member of TiE Inc, a global not-for-profit organisation which fosters entrepreneurship.