Congratulations to our Academic Professional Services (the Faculties of Engineering & Design, Humanities & Social Sciences, Science and the School of Management) who were successful in securing the AUA Mark of Excellence.

Iain Forster-Smith, Ann-Marie Hartland and Amanda Harper were formally presented with the award by Professor Madeline Atkins, Chief Executive of HEFCE, at an awards ceremony held on 1 December 2016 at The Royal Society in London.

The University of Bath is only the second institution nationally (the first in the south) to receive such recognition.

Iain and Ann-Marie also delivered a working session at the AUA Development Conference which preceded the ceremony, outlining how the Faculties/School have embedded the framework and sharing good practice.

Launched at the Association of University Administrators’ 2016 Annual Conference, the AUA Mark of Excellence is a new award for HE institutions that recognises a demonstrated commitment to working with and embedding the AUA CPD Framework and Statement of Values into the provision of organisational development.

One area of exceptional practice highlighted by the assessor for the award was the high level of staff engagement through the use of the SPDR+ and the high quality developmental conversations that this has brought about, as well as the drive and ambition to embed the framework further.

Diane Aderyn, Director of Finance & Commercial Services and one of the sponsors of the project, commented: "The University of Bath Effective Behaviours Framework has been enthusiastically embraced in the Academic Professional Services.

"I am delighted that the impact of this work has been recognised in the award of the Mark of Excellence; really effective performance by professional services is vital to the success and development of the University and this award will provide additional impetus to our plans to relaunch the Framework across the wider University."

On receiving the award, Iain, Ann-Marie and Amanda said: "In our roles we work extremely hard to support and develop our team members and are, therefore, very proud to have received this award.

"We feel that the Mark of Excellence not only recognises our commitment to the AUA Values and CPD Framework but cements how proud we are of the work achieved and the dedication and engagement of our staff, as well as enabling us to share our good practice with others."