The chief executive of the Russell Group has announced plans to step down after eight years in post.?

Tim Bradshaw joined the mission group for research-intensive universities over a decade ago, and was appointed CEO in 2017.?

He will leave the organisation at Easter 2026, with the search for his successor set to begin soon.?

¡°I have really enjoyed working for the Russell Group and see myself as a caretaker, now looking to pass on the CEO role,¡± Bradshaw said.?

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¡°The new CEO will inherit a brilliant, highly professional team who are focused on helping to create the best possible environment for our members to thrive.¡±

Bradshaw¡¯s departure comes as British universities face mounting financial pressures, with Russell Group institutions?¡°not immune¡± to the challenges.

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¡°The UK is incredibly fortunate to have so many genuinely world-class universities contributing to its economy, knowledge base, culture and communities right across the country,¡± said Bradshaw.?

¡°However, that cannot be taken for granted. Financial, regulatory and other pressures are weighing heavily on the sector, and research-intensive universities are not immune.¡±

Russell Group member King¡¯s College London warned last year that future declines in international student recruitment could ¡°severely compromise¡± its position, despite posting a surplus of ?326.7 million in 2023-24 ¨C largely driven by the ¡°volatile¡± valuation of the Universities Superannuation Scheme pension fund.?

Similarly, the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Nottingham posted a ?17 million deficit?before pension provisions and interest costs in 2023-24.

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"From developments in social policy to advanced engineering, from city-scale regeneration projects to AI skills, the UK needs its universities more than ever, so this will be a challenging but also very exciting time for my successor,¡± Bradshaw said.?

Bradshaw joined the Russell Group in 2012 from the CBI. Prior to this, he was an independent secretary to the Science Advisory Council at the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

He went to the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Leicester and the Open 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ and has a PhD in geology and geochemistry.

helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com