Governance

Last updated 16 August 2023

Structure and processes for decision making and accountability at the College.

Charter, Statutes and Ordinances

The main constitutional documents of the RCA are the

Download the previous RCA Charter, Statutes and Ordinances (2017) and RCA Charter, Statues and Ordinances (2007).

Regulations

The Royal College of Art Regulations contain useful information about many aspects of College life.

Download the Regulations in PDF format: RCA Regulations 2022/23

If you have any queries about the Regulations, please contact [email protected]

The Council

The Council is the governing body of the College responsible for all matters concerning property and finance, administrative policy, overall strategy and any issues affecting the general welfare of the College.

All the most senior appointments within the College are ultimately made by the Council; Chancellor, Chair of Council, the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy-Vice-Chancellor and Provost.

The Senate

The Senate exercises full responsibility over the academic work of the College and, subject to the powers reserved to the Council by the Statutes, takes measures and acts to promote the academic work of the College both in teaching and research, and for the regulation and superintendence of the education, welfare and discipline of the students.

The Senate agrees the appointment of external examiners, new academic developments, syllabi and student numbers and revisions to the Regulations. It approves the final examination results and awards the degrees. The membership includes Deans of School and representatives of the staff and students. The Senate normally meets three times a year.

The Vice-Chancellor's Office

The Vice-Chancellor is, as stated in the College's Charter, the principal academic and administrative officer of the College – in other words, its Chief Executive Officer.

Vice-Chancellor: Dr Paul Thompson

PA to the Vice-Chancellor: Mariam Abo Hammad

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost directs the academic side of the College, particularly quality and standards in teaching and learning.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost: Professor Naren Barfield

EA to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Kerry Stahly

Chief Operating Officer: Heather Akif

Directors and Deans

Chief Financial Officer: Amanda White 

Director of People & Culture: Paula Bruton

Director of Estates Development, Mgnt and Planning: Paul Draper

Director of Research & Innovation: Dr Emma Wakelin

CIO and Director of Digital and Technical Services: Jacqui Lipinski

Director of Development & Alumni Relations:

Director of Communication & Marketing: Lorna Gozzard

Director of Academic Development: Corinne Smith 

Dean, School of Architecture: Dr Adrian Lahoud

Dean, School of Communication: Kerry Curtis

Dean, School of Design: Professor Paul Anderson

Dean, School of Arts & Humanities: Professor Ken Neil

Vice-Chancellor

Dr Paul Thompson is a leading authority on art and design having worked at the intersection of culture and education for three decades.

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Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost

Naren is an artist who has held several senior academic leadership positions, including leading research in two specialist art and design institutions.

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Dean

Paul has an international profile in leading-edge research into fundamental human computer interface issues associated with 3D interfaces, haptics, 3D sound and gesture-based interaction.

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Dean

Kerry is Dean of the School of Communication at the Royal College of Art.

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Dean

Adrian is Dean of the School of Architecture at the Royal College of Art.

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Dean

Ken has over two decades of teaching experience and has held senior academic posts at The Glasgow School of Art since 2006.

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Committees

Academic Standards Committee

This Committee develops and oversees quality assurance policies and procedures, reviews the quality of academic programmes and ensures that academic standards are managed and maintained.

Academic Standards Committee

Academic Board for Concessions and Discipline (ABCD)

This committee gives reassurance to the Senate that all students admitted to the College are admitted in accordance with the Admissions Policy, and that all students who are awarded an RCA degree have met the required standards for such an award.

Academic Board for Concessions and Discipline (ABCD)

Audit & Risk Committee

This Committee ensures Council gains the assurance they need on governance, risk management and the integrity of the financial statements, as well as other elements of the Annual Report and Accounts.

Audit & Risk Committee

Honours Committee

The Honours Committee is a joint committee of Council and Senate and makes recommendations to Senate and Council for the conferral of Honorary Degrees

Honours Committee

Investment Committee

Investment Committee is a sub-Committee of Planning & Resources Committee

Investment Committee

Nominations Committee

The nomination committee examines the skills and characteristics needed on Council and makes recommendations for its membership.

Nominations Committee

Planning & Resources Committee

The Committee’s remit encompasses oversight of the planning, funding and financial performance of all the College’s resources, including its funds and investments, staffing, estate and intellectual property.

Planning & Resources Committee

Remuneration Committee

This committee determines fair and appropriate pay for Senior officers of College staff in accordance with the Higher Education Senior Staff Remuneration Code, the requirements of charity law, and the principles of fairness, independence and transparency.

Remuneration Committee

Contact us

For more information or to provide feedback please email

Email us at
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