About the project
About the Project
Project North Park will deliver a purpose-built facility and represents one of the most significant investments in research and teaching by the University over the last ten years.
Latest News
As a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic the University took the decision to pause the project in order to focus its efforts on supporting students and staff through unprecedented circumstances. The project currently remains paused and we have requested an extension on the planning approval expiry date to allow us time to align the project with our long term strategy for the future.
What will the building look like and include?
The building will mirror the high quality design and facilities of other buildings on campus. It will be tiered to reflect the topography of the site and have varying multi-storey heights – between 3 and 5 storeys. It will be rectangular and regular in form to provide the ability to adapt spaces to meet the needs of the university now and in the future.
Each floor of the building will encourage collaborative interactions. From bump points where conversations can begin to formal meeting areas to develop plans, and event space to showcase results and inspire new links. Digital solutions such as a smart phone app and screens around the building will enhance engagement in research and open up further opportunities for joint working.
The building will also have roof terraces and the building orientation will make the best use of natural light and link the building to the surrounding green spaces, creating an environment that promotes wellbeing and encourages innovation and creativity. The design will promote sustainability and aims to achieve carbon neutrality in terms of regulated carbon emissions.
Take a look at the Building layout March 2020.
Included in the building:
- 16 seminar rooms
- 2 computer labs
- 400 seat auditorium that can be split in to two 200 seat lecture theatres
- 150 social study and cafe space
- Post graduate study space for Humanities and Social Sciences
- A Maker space and Think space (for students to engage in entrepreneurial problem based learning)
- 2 telescopes - linked to the computer labs
- A XXL lab (developing high-contrast imaging for exoplanet detection and characterisation)
Why are we planning to build a three phased shell and core construction?
We propose to build North Park in three phases.
The first phase will include constructing the complete shell of the building and fitting out the part of the building that will be occupied first. The second and third phases will fit out the rest of the building areas.
We have decided to build in phases to allow us to have financial security and the flexibility to adapt the building to the changing needs of the university in the coming years.
When will the building be open?
In light of the current Covid-19 situation the University has taken the decision to pause Project North Park until next year. We feel this is the most sensible decision to make at this time to ensure the University can focus its efforts on supporting students and staff through these unprecedented circumstances. We will update construction and opening times for the building soon.
Who is involved in the project?
The project is sponsored by our Registrar and Secretary, Mike Shore Nye. The first Project Board took place on 20 October 2017 and has met monthly since this time.
The project features four cross-cutting work groups:
- Research - led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research
- Education - led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education
- Arts and Culture - led by Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, College of Humanities
- Infrastructure - led by Director of Campus Infrastructure and Operational Support Services
This project is about developing innovative teaching and research within the building, and they will be far more important than the building itself.
Professor Mark Goodwin
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement)
Project team and board members
Mike Shore-Nye
Mike joined the University of Exeter in January 2016 as Registrar and Secretary with responsibility for the institution’s entire Professional Services team and for the effective and efficient operations and governance of the University.
Registrar and Secretary
Mike Shore-Nye
Professor Neil Gow
Neil is DVC for Research and Impact, chairs the University Ethics Committee, and the Research and Impact Strategy Management Group.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Impact)
Professor Neil Gow FRS
Professor Tim Quine
Tim Quine is Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) and Professor of Earth Surface Science. Prior to commencing his role, Tim was the Academic Dean for Students and was previously the Associate Dean for Education in the College of Life and Environmental Sciences.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)
Professor Tim Quine
Professor Dan Charman
Professor Dan Charman was appointed as Senior Vice-President and Provost on 1 August 2023, having previously been the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy and the College of Life and Environmental Sciences. He is an Earth system scientist interested in long-term ecosystem and climate change, with a particular focus on wetlands.
Provost
Professor Dan Charman
Professor Andrew Thorpe
Andrew Thorpe is Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the College of Humanities and Professor of Modern British History. He graduated in Medieval and Modern History from the University of Birmingham and took his PhD in History at the University of Sheffield. He was appointed Dean of Humanities at Exeter in 2014, having served for 4 years as Associate Dean for Research up to that point. Prior to that he was Head of History. He was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor in 2015.
Professor Andrew Thorpe
Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean (College of Humanities)
Professor Mark Goodwin
Professor Mark Goodwin became Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Exeter in 2013, having previously been Dean of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences. Mark leads on External Engagement for the University within the UK and globally. He is also responsible for the University’s activities at our Cornwall Campus. He also contributes to the Senior Management Blog.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement), University of Exeter
Professor Mark Goodwin
Craig Nowell
Craig joined the University in March 2018 into the newly created post of Director of Campus Infrastructure and Operational Support Services. He is focused on building stakeholder trust and has a track record in leading organisational change. As a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Group, he has overall leadership accountability for Campus Services, Estate Services and Exeter IT, including development and implementation of the University’s Estate, IT and Digital Capital Infrastructure Plan to enable the Corporate Strategy.
Craig Nowell, Director of Campus Infrastructure and Operational Support Services
Andrew Connolly
Andrew Connolly became Chief Financial Officer on 1 April 2013. A member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Group and reporting to the Provost, Andrew is responsible for leading and managing the University’s financial affairs. Andrew is Chair of the Financial Reporting Group (FRP) of the British Universities Finance Directors’ Group.
Chief Financial Officer
Andrew Connolly
Sophie Hawkes
Sophie Hawkes is the Business Manager to the Registrar and Secretary, Mike Shore-Nye. She provides executive and business management support across the entire range of issues within the Registrar’s portfolio.
Patrick Hoyle
Patrick began his tenure as Students’ Guild President in July 2019. As Students’ Guild President, Patrick is responsible for working with the CEO to set strategic direction for the Guild, as informed by his role as Chair of the Guild’s Board of Trustees. Furthermore, as President Patrick works with the Full-Time Student Leadership Team to ensure that the Guild’s direction sits in line with their yearly priorities. He also takes a lead on the Guild’s commercial offer; working closely with the Guild’s Director of Commercial Operations to ensure a brilliant student experience for the membership.
Guild President
Sarah Buck
Independent Council member
Joff Cooke
Joff joined the Students’ Guild in August 2019. As Chief Executive, Joff has responsibility for the overall management and direction of the Guild on behalf of the Guild’s Board of Trustees. Ensuring a positive working relationship with the university is a key part of the role, as well as ensuring the Guild stays focussed on delivering services relevant to Exeter students and helping them have an exceptional experience whilst at the university.
Guild CEO
Linda Peka
Linda is Chief College Operations Officer and in her role is responsible for the overall leadership of college operations and ensuring that the University's Professional Services resources are fully aligned to colleges strategies and operational priorities. Linda is also responsible for delivering professional services support to the university's research institutes and providing leadership for technical services.
Chief College Operations Officer
Linda Peka
Gill Preston
Gill Preston, Strategic Delivery Unit is accountable for the overarching project (plan, governance, communications, stakeholder management, user requirements).
John Vickery
John Vickery, Estates Services is accountable for procurement and construction.
Programme Manager
Amelia Tollerton
Project Administrator
Julia Richards
Communications Manager for Project North Park
Julia is an Alumnus of the University of Exeter. She has worked in local government communications for over 10 years and started working for the University in January 2019.
Julia is responsible for planning communications to promote Project North Park to key stakeholders. She manages messages about the project, maintains the project website and manages the project brand.
The Terms of Reference for the project were reviewed and approved by the Project Board on 05 September 2019.
Terms of Reference
1) To own the vision for this project, ensuring that the building supports the delivery of the university’s strategic vision within its physical design and usage.
2) To ensure the project considers its impact on the rest of the campus both during and post construction including its relationship with other facilities on campus and the student, staff and public experience.
3) To ensure the opportunities of this investment are maximised and provide value for money at every stage of the project including:
a) Recognising its contribution to enhancing the campus.
b) The reputational gains that can be made within the local and regional communities as well as the academic community.
4) To successfully manage the scale, complexity and ambition of this project by ensuring:
a) Timely decision making and issue escalation to enable the project to deliver its collective outcomes to agreed time and budget.
b) Alignment of purpose and activities across all work streams and management of dependencies both inside and outside the project.
c) Appropriate levels of scrutiny and approval are provided in association with the university’s capital procedures.
5) To manage the diverse and complex stakeholder groups to ensure:
a) Requirements are recognised and co-ordinated.
b) The project’s communications strategy and plan keeps key stakeholders effectively engaged and informed and maximises the positive PR opportunities.
Membership
Chair:
Registrar and Secretary – Mike Shore-Nye
Membership:
Provost – Professor Janice Kay
DVC External Engagement – Professor Mark Goodwin
DVC Research and Impact – Professor Neil Gow
DVC Education – Professor Tim Quine
Independent Council Member – Sarah Buck
Chief Financial Officer – Andrew Connolly
CEO, Students’ Guild – Joff Cooke
President, Students’ Guild – Patrick Hoyle
Chief College Operations Officer – Linda Peka
Director of Campus Infrastructure and Operational Support Services – Craig Nowell
PVC College of Humanities – Professor Andrew Thorpe
In Attendance:
Director of Estate Services – Hugh McCann
SDU Programme Manager – Gill Preston
Senior Project Manager, Estate Services – John Vickery
Secretary:
Business Manager to Registrar and Secretary – Sophie Hawkes
Reports to
- CIG, VCEG and Council – as per capital investment governance procedures
- SDG – as part of the University’s Change Portfolio
- Council Scrutiny Group – the Programme Board consults the Council Scrutiny Group for guidance on seeking approval from Council
Frequency of meeting
On a monthly basis, with meetings in between where necessary.