British Institute of Technology and E-commerce. Constitution, Governance and accreditation arrangements

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1 British Institute of Technology and E-commerce Constitution, Governance and accreditation arrangements 1. BITE s constitution The British Institute of Technology and E-commerce is registered as a private limited company under the Companies Act 1985 to It was incorporated as BIOTAE Ltd on 25 September 2001 and changed its name by special resolution to British Institute of Technology and E-Commerce on 9 February Its company certificate number is The Memorandum and Articles of Association show the company to be a Private Company Limited by Shares with 97.5% of shares owned by Dr. Muhammad Farmer and 2.5% by Push Housing Education Trust. The Memorandum of Articles of Association state that the object of the British Institute of Technology and E-commerce is to carry on business as a commercial education training company, and to develop and offer higher education programmes, research, consultancy and training. The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the British Institute of Technology and E-commerce may be amended on the recommendation of the Board of Directors and filed in Companies House. Document: Memorandum and Articles of Association of British Institute of Technology and E-commerce and Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name 2. BITE s Vision and Mission The British Institute of Technology and E-commerce is a catalyst organization, bringing together talent, industry and government. It seeks to advance and apply this expertise through innovative education in technology, science and business. BITE aims to provide an interdisciplinary education, extend research which has been carried out at other higher education institutions, and provide a consultancy service that is competitive and affordable. BITE s programmes of study are either validated by one of three partner UK universities (Coventry University, University of East London or the University of Wales) or approved and run in association with professional bodies (Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and City & Guilds). The Constitution has been designed to facilitate the delivery of BITE s Vision and Mission, which are as follows: Vision: To be renowned as a pre-eminent institution for innovative education, equipping future leaders with the skills and techniques to meet emerging challenges. Mission: To create a fusion of education, research and consultancy to advance knowledge and skills in response to challenging business environments. 3. Constitutional Bodies The constitutional bodies which advise, approve, decide and promote the vision, mission policies and operations, variously, at BITE are the Court, Council and the Executive Committee. BITE s educational programmes are provided through two academic Schools: The Sir Isaac Newton School of Technology and the St. James s Business School. Details of these bodies, their terms of reference, membership, operations and Officers, as appropriate are provided below. 1

2 3.1 The Court The Court is a non-executive body that advises and supports BITE in developing and achieving its objectives, with special emphasis on its impact on the wider community. The membership is flexible to enable and facilitate consideration of a broad range of relevant matters. The Court meets annually, normally during the summer term and usually in the House of Lords. The Court is usually where BITE s Annual Report is launched. The Court has the following Terms or Reference: 1. To establish and maintain links between BITE and the wider community; 2. To increase awareness of, and alert individuals and organisations to, the benefits of being associated with BITE; 3. To bring together those who wish to understand and support BITE to reinforce the role of BITE in the community and provide a mechanism to consider its impact and impacts of wider society upon it; 4. To champion and promote the interests of BITE. The composition of the Court is determined by the Chief Executive Officer of BITE, with advice from the Council and the Chancellor, who is the Chair of the Court. Fuller details are provided in the terms of reference and membership of the Court. Document: Terms of Reference and Membership of the Court of BITE 3.2 The Council The Council reports directly to the Board of Directors of the British Institute of Technology and E- Commerce and with the support of external reports, it recommends for adoption the Vision, Mission and Strategic Direction of the Institute. More specifically the Council will: 1. Offer advice on the content of the Strategic Plan and confirm that it has been produced following business practice; 2. Recommend for adoption the organization and management structure developed to deliver the Strategic Plan and confirm that it adheres to best business practice; 3. Recommend for adoption all the major strategies of BITE including Research Strategy, Marketing Strategy and Brand, Consulting Strategy, Academic Development, Assessment and Quality assurance; 4. Recommend for adoption al the Quality assurance policies and procedures of BITE and monitor regularly the academic performance, standards and quality of the Institute and provide a written bi-annual report; 5. Comment on all Business Development Plans produced by the Executive; 6. Recommend for adoption all Health and Safety, and Human Resources Policies and procedures; 7. Comment on the Estates Development Plans produced by the Executive; 8. Comment of the Financial accounts of BITE and the report from the External Auditors. The Council meets twice a year and has a minimum size of five members. The first meeting of the Council was held on 31 March Executive Committee Document: Terms of Reference and Membership of the Council The Executive Committee exercises management control of BITE and normally meets on a monthly basis. The Terms of Reference of the Executive Committee are as follows: 1. To oversee the strategic planning process and to recommend the draft Strategic Plan and supporting strategies for approval by Council; 2

3 2. To oversee the annual budgeting process and to recommend a budget, with advice from the Council; 3. To oversee all the work of the Academic Board and to give final approval of all suggestions of the Academic Board which have resource implications; 4. To take forward proposals to the Council concerning the Vision, Mission and overall strategic direction of BITE; 5. To organize, direct, manage and lead the staff of BITE; 6. To maintain student discipline within the policies and procedures of BITE. The Chair is the Chief Executive of BITE and the Deputy Chair the Principal. Document: Terms of Reference and Membership of the Executive Committee 3.4 Senior Management Board The Senior Management Board consists of the senior management of BITE, and external experts where appropriate. It meets at least three times a year. 3.5 Academic Board Document: Terms of Reference and Membership of the Senior Management Board Academic Board reports directly to the Executive Committee. Academic Board deals with all academic matters of BITE and guards the academic integrity and quality of its higher education programmes. It normally meets a minimum of three times a year and is chaired by the Principal of BITE. Membership is drawn from across the academic staffing of BITE and other key support roles. Document: Terms of Reference and Membership of Academic Board 3.6 Learning and Quality Committee The Learning and Quality Committee is a sub-committee of Academic Board and enables the Academic Board to carry out its responsibilities as guardian of the academic integrity and quality of its higher education programmes. The Learning and Quality Committee reports directly to Academic Board and is chaired by the Academic Registrar. 4. Schools Document: Terms of Reference and Membership of the Learning and Quality Committee BITE has two academic schools: - Sir Isaac Newton School of Technology - St. James s Business School Each School is led by a Dean. The two Schools are responsible for academic standards, teaching and learning, student experience and implementation of quality assurance policies and procedures as required by either the validating universities and/or professional bodies. The two Schools are also responsible for implementing and managing the internal quality assurance policies and procedures of BITE as given in the Manual of General Regulations and associated detailed policies and procedures. The Schools regulate programme work and student assessment through Assessment Boards and Programme Committees. Schools report to Academic Board on matters to do with academic standards, student experience and quality assurance. 3

4 5. Main Officers and senior management at BITE The Chancellor The Chancellor is appointed by the Council after consultation with the Executive Committee. The Chancellor is the Chair of Council. The Chief Executive Officer The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for developing BITE s Strategic Plan and leading on strategic development. The CEO is also responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of activities in education, consultancy and research at both national and international levels. The CEO makes reports to both the Council and the Court. The Principal The Principal is appointed by the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the management and operation of all academic activities to do with education and research at BITE. The Principal is Chair of Academic Board. Assistant Principal There is one Assistant Principal who reports to the Principal. The Assistant Principal is responsible for quality assurance and student support at BITE. The assistant Principal is appointed in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. Deans There are two Deans, both reporting to the Principal by whom they are appointed in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. Deans are heads of School and chair Assessment Boards and Programme Committees. The Dean of a School lead and manage, and present students for conferment. Academic Registrar The Academic Registrar reports to the Assistant Principal and provides support for quality assurance and matters of regulation detailed in the Manual of General Regulations. 6. Accreditation Arrangements The British Institute of Technology and E-commerce is currently accredited by the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education. A full inspection for reaccreditation of the Stratford Campus took place on 8/9 December 2010, this was considered by the Accreditation Committee on 27 January Reaccreditation was granted for four years with no requirements to be met before accreditation. Two requirements were identified to be met before the first inspection after accreditation, and a number of recommendations were made to BITE. A supplementary inspection was conducted for the additional premises at St. James s House, London SW1 6QY. This took place on 15 December The outcome of this was that the Accreditation Committee agreed that accreditation should continue for BITE and incorporate the premises at St. James s House, 23 King Street, London SW1 6QY. Documents: BAC Inspection Report: Full Inspection Reaccreditation. BAC Inspection Report: Supplementary Inspection Additional Address. Version 2 DP August

5 Documents referred to in the Constitution, Governance and Accreditation arrangements Memorandum and Articles of Association of British Institute of Technology and E- commerce and Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name Terms or Reference and Membership of the Court of BITE Terms of Reference and Membership of the Council Terms of Reference and Membership of the Executive Committee Terms of Reference and Membership of the Senior Management Board Terms of Reference and Membership of Academic Board Terms of Reference and Membership of the Learning and Quality Committee BAC Inspection Report: Full Inspection Reaccreditation BAC Inspection Report: Supplementary Inspection Additional Address 5