In 2019 AUA launched a consulting practice AUA Consulting as a new strand in our range of activities in the HE sector.  What have we learned as an association from this new initiative over the last two years?  How is AUA Consulting benefiting AUA, our members and the wider sector?  In what ways is AUA Consulting working with universities and what are some of the key issues, questions and topics arising?  What might we all be able to learn from these trends and how can universities work more effectively with external consultants?  These are some of the questions explored by a panel of AUA Consultants during a working session at our recent AUA Annual Conference. 

After a pilot year during 2019, AUA Consulting was launched fully at the start of 2020 and over this period we’ve worked with around twenty different institution and sector agencies in areas including professional services organisation, academic administration, compliance & risk, corporate and academic governance, equality, diversity and inclusion, student recruitment and admissions, student services, and leadership & management.  There’s no doubt the HE sector is benefiting from our new consulting practice – combining external insights with ‘insider’ expertise – since our team of consultants offer a depth of experience across the full spectrum of HE governance, management and administration.  AUA is also clearly benefiting as an association as our consulting ‘voice’ has widespread reach beyond the membership –  and we can draw from the experience in our consulting team within the broader AUA services portfolio – not to mention the benefit to the association of an additional income stream: any surplus generated from AUA Consulting is reinvested to support AUA’s charitable objectives in support of HE professional services. 

AUA Consulting was launched fully at the start of 2020 and over this period we’ve worked with around twenty different institution and sector agencies in areas including professional services organisation, academic administration, compliance & risk, corporate and academic governance, equality, diversity and inclusion, student recruitment and admissions, student services, and leadership & management. 

Reflecting on what we’ve learned and experienced over our first full year of operation as AUA Consulting, it’s really encouraging to see client testimonials like – “we will definitely be using AUA Consulting again and will recommend it to others” and “I cannot suggest any improvements – the process was highly professional and efficient” – this positive feedback being further reinforced by several cases of repeat business over recent months. From 2021 onwards we’re delighted also to be offering a coaching service alongside our consulting practice – supporting individuals in their personal, professional and career development. 

Alongside the Annual Conference workshop session, our virtual exhibition booth proved to be a great means of meeting with delegates one-to-one and we warmly welcome the opportunity to talk through consulting options and opportunities at any point. 

Explore our range of services on the AUA website and get in touch to find out how AUA Consulting can help you and your team: consulting@aua.ac.uk.