Serving as Interim Chair of Council this academic session has been a privilege. As the 2019/2020 year ends, I would like to take the opportunity to share Council’s reflections and once again thank staff, students and friends of LSE for your tireless efforts and contributions to our School.
As I write this, the world is responding to both the killing of George Floyd in the United States and the reminder of the persistent and widespread racial injustice and inequality globally. It is with humility and resolve that Council commits to redoubling our efforts to address discrimination, inequality, and injustice in all their guises. My colleagues on Council and I recognise that there is still much to do, and we are deeply honoured to be working with our community to create a truly inclusive LSE for all and a more just society.
Council would also like to thank you all for your extraordinary individual and collective contributions across research, education, and developing LSE for everyone during the pandemic. We admire and appreciate the tremendous effort, the flexibility to overcome upheaval, and the community spirit with which you all have achieved so much.
We recognize that many of you may have faced unexpected personal circumstances. On behalf of all of Council, I would like to express my deepest condolences to members of our LSE community who have experienced loss during this time, as well as gratitude to everyone who continued to support one another while managing so much.
The challenges caused by the global pandemic were front and centre in discussions at our last Council meeting. We approved our School’s financial plan. Our thanks to Professor David Webb, Pro-Director (Planning and Resources), Mike Ferguson, Finance Director, and Nigel Hugill and Roger Mountford, Co-Chairs of the Finance and Estates Committee (FEC), and the members of FEC for careful planning to secure our School’s future as we manage both immediate and the longer-term impact of the crisis. We are confident in the Director’s and the School Management Committee’s principled approach to protecting and supporting the community as much as possible, as well as to maintaining momentum in critical areas of our LSE 2030 strategy.
Despite the unprecedented disruption, Council was pleased to hear about exceptional progress with LSE 2030 priorities and the spirit of innovation, creativity and partnership that has continued. The advances made in our technical capabilities and educational offerings, and the development of a sustainability strategic plan, are among many examples creating strong foundations for our future. As a devoted fan of LSE’s world-leading public events programme, I am also delighted to see how we are using technology to engage with new audiences globally, particularly as part of the COVID-19 policy response series.
The final Council meeting of the academic year was also a time for reflection as we said farewell to some longstanding members. We heard tributes and gave sincere thanks for the dedicated service and outstanding contributions of Nigel Hugill and Roger Mountford, as well as John Hughes who is stepping down as Chair of the Audit Committee and Neil Gaskell who is stepping down as Chair of the Investments Sub-Committee. We thanked Zulum Elumogo for his exceptional contributions as General Secretary of the Students’ Union, particularly assuring that students are at the forefront of our decision-making. Council also thanked Professor David Webb and Professor Eric Neumayer for their outstanding leadership in their current roles on the SMC, and congratulated them on their new appointments.
Finally, I am humbled and honoured to have been appointed Chair of Council. I have often said to our Director that although I came to our School quite a bit later than the average student, LSE has changed my life too. As Interim Chair of Council, I have been in awe of the people and ideas that shape LSE, and the world, for the better. I am so proud to be a part of the LSE community.
As summer begins, I would like to congratulate all our graduates in the Class of 2020 and extend a very warm welcome to you all into our global alumni community.
In the year ahead, I am deeply committed to listening, learning and working hard with Council, the Director and our School community to address the challenges and seize the many opportunities. I look forward to meeting with more staff and students, whether virtually or in person. In the meantime, I wish everyone at LSE a safe and healthy summer, and some time for a well-deserved rest.
With sincere thanks and best wishes,
Susan Liautaud