The Aspiring Registrar and COO Programme 2027/2028

Applications for 2027/2028 now open

Please complete this online application form by 5pm on Thursday 19 November 2026.

Applications will be reviewed on Wednesday 9 December 2026 with successful candidates notified on Thursday 10 December 2026.

Successful participants to confirm acceptance by Thursday 17 December 2026.

For the application, you will need to provide the following:

personal statement outlining:
- your experience, including roles beyond your functional remit and sector wide roles;
- your career aspirations;
- how you hope the programme will support your career development.
copy of your CV;
letter of commitment from a member of the University Executive confirming that the time and funding will be made available, together with an indication of what they hope you will gain from the programme.

Any questions please contact the AHUA team.

Development Partner

As an AHUA Development Partner, Perrett Laver makes a valuable contribution to our programmes, working with us to deliver specialist masterclasses that support up and coming talent.

The Perrett Laver team brings significant sector expertise that benefits Association members. If you would like further information about their experience and current vacancies for which they are recruiting, please contact their team here.

Who Should Attend

The Aspiring Registrar and COO Programme is designed for professional services leaders who are considering the next step in their career. It prepares participants for the most senior professional services roles within a university, whether titled Registrar, Chief Operating Officer, University Secretary or Head of University Administration. The programme offers a unique opportunity to explore this diverse and challenging role and to reflect on your readiness for this or other leadership positions.

The programme is suitable for those currently working at the level of Director/Head of any of the principal Administrative and Professional Service functions or Deputy Registrar/COO/University Secretary. The nature of this programme means it will appeal to those who wish to take stock of their career and maximise their potential.

Participants are likely to have been operating at their current level for three to five years, be reporting to the Registrar/COO, and be on the cusp of applying for a more senior role. Applicants will also need to have the confirmed support of a member of their Executive team.

If you are unsure if the programme is right for you, please contact the AHUA development consultant Robin Henderson who will be happy to discuss the programme further with you.

Programme Focus

understanding the variety of ways in which the Registrar/COO role is carried out across the sector and the opportunities this presents;
assessing your readiness for such a leadership position and the importance of having the right ‘fit’ in terms of role and institution;
exploring the complex set of relationships between senior figures in the university structure;
increasing your self-awareness and the understanding of your strengths and development needs.

Programme Includes

an online Welcome Event, at which you will meet fellow participants and your Programme Directors;
three development one-to-one sessions with one of the Programme Directors (who is also an experienced coach), at the start, mid-way point and end of the programme;
psychometric feedback at the start of the programme;
a two and a half day Residential Programme with both practical input and space for reflection;
contributions from both newly appointed and more experienced AHUA members (COOs, Registrars, University Secretaries), as well as a Vice Chancellor and Chair of Council, to provide a rounded view of what to expect in these roles;
one half-day and three full-day Action Learning Set sessions – facilitated by an experienced coach;
a Workshop on preparing to apply for your next role, delivered in conjunction with a leading sector recruitment consultant and an experienced HR professional. The session will cover the recruitment process and sector trends, and you’ll receive tailored feedback on your CV and general application tips.

Programme Structure

The programme runs over 12 months, combining individual coaching, peer learning and practical development across eight days. It begins with an online welcome event, followed by an individual coaching session with one of the Programme Directors and personalised psychometric feedback to help you identify your strengths, development priorities and goals for the year ahead. You will then take part in a two and a half day Residential, four facilitated Action Learning Sets and an Aspiring to Applying workshop, designed to increase your self-awareness and deepening your understanding of your strengths and development needs.

Programme Schedule

26 January 2027	10.00-12.00	Welcome session	Online
w/c 8 February 2027	One hour	One-to-one session	Online
16 – 18 March 2027	13.00-16.30	Residential at Edgbaston, Birmingham	In-person
28 April 2027	09.30-13.00	Action Learning Set 1	Online
30 June 2027	19.30	Optional dinner	In-person
1 July 2027	09.00-16.00	Action Learning Set 2	In-person
July 2027	One hour	One-to-one session	Online
8 September 2027	19.30	Optional dinner	In-person
9 September 2027	09.00-16.00	Action Learning Set 3	In-person
10 November 2027	19.30	Group dinner	In-person
11 November 2027	09.00-16.30	Aspiring to Applying Workshop, Birmingham	In-person
12 January 2028	19.30	Optional dinner	In-person
13 January 2028	09.00-16.00	Action Learning Set 4	In-person
w/c 1 February 2028	One hour	One-to-one session	Online

Bursaries for Black/Global Majority/Diaspora members of staff

The AHUA is offering four applicants, who identify as Black/Global Majority/Diaspora, the opportunity to receive a bursary of £1,000 (realised as a reduction in the course fee). If you are eligible, please complete the bursary section of the application. You will be asked to briefly explain how a bursary would support your participation and help address any institutional barriers.

What previous participants have said…

Several years after doing the programme I still think of the sessions and content that we covered. The group of people that I met have become my trusted network and we still meet regularly. The level of trust that was developed through this programme would not have happened without the brilliant facilitation from Kim and Rachel. The balance of content in the programme with action learning sets, provided a broad perspective on which I still reflect. I often recommend this programme!.

Lesley O’Keeffe, Interim Academic Registrar, SOAS

The programme has fundamentally changed how I think about my capability, confidence, and development towards a future COO role. It helped me become more confident, reflective, and clear about my next steps. The networking has been invaluable; the connections I made continue to thrive, and the facilitators were excellent. During the programme, I also progressed into a CDIO role, in part because of the confidence, learning, and insight I gained through the experience..

Masud Khokhar, Chief Digital and Information Officer, University of Leeds

I found the programme to be invaluable in highlighting the variety of roles at this level and the contexts in which they operate. It was an opportunity to really understand not only the different strands to these roles but also the flexibility of leadership approaches, personal characteristics and ways of working that are needed to be successful when navigating complex strategic and operational environments. It was also a great opportunity to hear the personal experiences of senior leaders and network with peers. I did the course when I was a Deputy Registrar and since then have undertaken Registrar, Secretary and COO roles. One of the strengths of the course is that it is a chance to explore options and even if you ultimately decide these kinds of roles are not for you, there is still so much personal learning and insight you can take away to support your own leadership practice and career development..

Jo Horsburgh, Chief Operating Officer, Harper Adams University

The programme provides a great insight into senior leadership roles in the sector and has enabled our colleague to grow in confidence, broaden their strategic perspective, and make an even stronger contribution to our organisation. The impact has been evident in the way they lead, collaborate, and influence across the University..

Rachel Brealey, Chief Operating Officer. University of Leeds

The programme has really broadened my understanding of the strategic and operational realities faced by university leaders. As part of the programme, we were able to meet a number of senior leaders who were incredibly open and honest about their roles. I’ve also gained a trusted network of colleagues across the sector, creating connections that will continue to support and challenge me for years to come..

Tawnya Cheatheam, Director of Marketing, Student Recruitment, Admissions and Communications,, SOAS

The networking was fantastic, and the training and discussion topics were incredibly relevant – every minute was valuable! I felt supported by an amazing group of people and trainers who truly understood our needs. Since then, I’ve confidently stepped up to a higher-level role.

Anna Dulic-Sills, Chief Operating Officer (Interim), St George’s, University of London

Programme Fee

AHUA member institutions

£5,500

(VAT exempt)

Non-member institutions:

£6,500

(VAT exempt)

Programme Directors

Rachel Holmes

Rachel is a coach, facilitator and leadership development consultant with over 30 years’ experience in the private and public sectors. After an early career with a major publisher of psychometric feedback tools, providing accreditation and support to clients across a wide range of organisations, Rachel established her independent consultancy in 2001. Originally a team development specialist, she now offers 1-1 coaching, team and event facilitation and bespoke leadership programmes focused on enabling people to enjoy their work, collaborate effectively and have greater impact. Having worked with clients in the H.E. sector since 2007, Rachel is a member of the pool of AHUA registered coaches providing support to both newly appointed and experienced COOs, Registrars and Secretaries, through coaching and facilitated Action Learning Sets. Rachel is also a co-director of the AHUA’s other flagship development offering, the Professional Service Directors’ Programme.

Kim Newton-Woof

After a decade working in higher education, Kim now operates as an independent leadership consultant, facilitator, executive coach and supervisor. While remaining a trusted partner within the university sector, she also works with leaders across health, finance, media, charity and further education. Kim designs and facilitates coaching, leadership and team development that helps people better understand themselves, their situation and the choices available to them. Taking a human-first approach, she creates practical, reflective spaces where leaders can navigate complexity, strengthen their judgement and make meaningful change. An AHUA Associate based in Southampton, Kim provides coaching for newly appointed AHUA members, facilitates the Association’s Action Learning Sets and is co-director of the Professional Service Directors’ Programme.