The University and its Vice-Chancellor, Professor James Knowles, recognise and want to respond to the general and specific interest that there may be in vice-chancellors' salaries in UK universities. In addition to reporting the VC salary in our annual financial statement and salary surveys, we also respond openly and fully to requests for this salary information made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Our Vice-Chancellor’s salary is reviewed and set by the University’s Remuneration Committee. The University operates separate Remuneration Committees for the Vice-Chancellor and for senior postholders, Vice-Chancellor’s Group and staff on spot salaries. This Committee, which meets twice a year, consists of three independent members of the Board of Governors and a co-opted member with expertise in senior appointments.
Professor Knowles is not a member of the Committee responsible for the remuneration of the Vice-Chancellor and therefore is not present when her salary is discussed and has no voting rights on this particular committee.
Professor Knowles' salary, as with the majority of staff at the University, is reviewed annually from 1 August. The review includes the pay award agreed nationally for university staff and takes account of affordability for the University and achievement of his objectives. As for all other eligible staff, Professor Knowles may also receive up to 5% of base salary as a non-consolidated payment for outstanding performance.
In line with the principles of openness and transparency, the University's Vice-Chancellor salary and associated details are shown below:
NOTE: Professor Knowles joined Solent University as Vice-Chancellor in April 2023. Salary details for his predecessor, Professor Karen Stanton, are shown here.
The table will be updated for 2022/23 in December 2023, following the publication of the University's Annual Financial Statement.
