Impact Executives Comment on the Recent Proposed Changes to Student Finance

LONDON, October 20, 2010 - Leading Interim Management (www.impactexecutives.com/) provider,
Impact Executives believes that Lord Browne's recent review of student
finance could be the most radical reform of UK universities yet, if Browne's
recommendations are adopted.

The fears amongst those in the education sector are shared by the
management team at Impact Executives - that with such radical change just
around the corner, UK universities may not be well positioned to manage these
reforms in student funding should they come to surface.

The speculation is that universities may need experienced interims to
lend a hand in these times of change, particularly when dealing with
bureaucracy and changes in IT systems.

The Lord Browne review announced on the 12th October suggested removing
the cap that universities have in place on tuition fees. This means that the
cap could be lifted from the current GBP3,290, allowing universities in
England to charge what they like and for different fees to be set for
different courses.

With student debt high combined with the current economic climate, the
proposed reforms have caused concern in the education sector.

Education opinion leaders such as Sally Hunt, University & College
Union's General Secretary, and Mary Bousted, General Secretary of the
Association of Teachers and Lecturers, have both expressed concern over the
proposed changes.

Sally Hunt states that if these recommendations are enacted, they would
"represent the final nail in the coffin for affordable higher
education…pricing the next generation out of education."

Mary Bousted feels that an unlimited rise in tuition fees or any rise in
the rate to repay them would "severely damage higher education in the UK,
leave students burdened with huge debts, discourage poorer students from
going to university, and discourage graduates from becoming teachers and
other moderate-to-lower-paid professions."

Christine De Largy, Managing Director of Impact Executives commented,
"Change is imminent, whether some or all of Lord Browne's recommendations are
adopted. However, in the interim the process of reviewing their processes,
procedures and IT systems will have to very quickly be set into motion if
universities are to ensure compliance with these changes when they are
introduced in 2012. In times of crippling debt, reduced workforce and the
looming spending review, how well positioned are the universities to manage
this change?"

To read more about the student finance reform and find links to online
updates visit the Impact Executives blog:
www.impactexecutives.com/journal/christinedelargy/2010/10/lord-browne-review-of-student.html

About Impact Executives

Impact Executives is a leading interim management provider to
organisations of every size in the UK and globally.

Originally formed as a specialist practice within PA Consulting Group,
over the past 20 years Impact Executives has helped more than 2000 companies.
These include more than two-thirds of the FTSE 250 - find the very best
executive interim management talent.

With offices covering the UK, continental Europe, Asia Pacific and
Australia, Impact Executives is part of the global services consultancy
Harvey Nash Group plc, giving clients and interim managers the confidence
that we have the resources, expertise and focus to deliver results - fast.

For more information about how an interim manager can help in making the
necessary reforms please contact:

    Premila Puri
    Public Sector Practice
    Impact Executives
    13 Bruton Street, London, W1J 6QA
    +44(0)20-7314-2004

    http:/www.impactexecutives.com

Premila Puri, Public Sector Practice, Impact Executives, 13 Bruton Street, London, W1J 6QA, +44(0)20-7314-2004.