News Updates

SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 –Presidential Search Consultant Engaged

The Presidential Search Committee has engaged Amrop Knightsbridge as the executive search firm to assist the Committee with the Presidential recruitment process.

Malcolm Bernstein and Anna Stuart will co-lead this engagement, and will be supported by a project team that brings extensive search experience in the academic, not-for-profit and broader public sectors, nationally and internationally.  The Presidential Search Committee will also be supported at key junctures by members of Amrop Knightsbridge’sAcademic Advisory Council, a group that brings insights from members’ former roles as presidents in several universities and colleges in Canada.

The decision to engage Amrop Knightsbridge was reached by the Search Committee following an open and publicly-advertised competitive bid process.  Evaluation of proposals was based on criteria set out in the Request for Proposal, and included in-depth interviews with the highest-ranking proponents.  Following this process, the Search Committee reached consensus on which proponent offered best value per dollar spent, an important consideration given the University’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and a balanced operating budget.

In awarding the contract, the Presidential Search Committee is confident that Amrop Knightsbridge will bring a deep knowledge of current public policy discussions and the challenging economic context in which this recruitment is taking place, as well as a commitment to a consultative and quality process tailored to Trent’s culture and needs. 

As next steps, the Search Committee and consultant team will meet shortly to develop the recruitment workplan, and begin further outreach and consultation with the Trent community to ensure that the Committee provides the best advice possible to the Board of Governors.   This phase of the Search Committee’s work builds on the Presidential Mandate for 2014-2019 that was approved by the Board on March 22, 2013 following wide-ranging input from the Trent community.  The focus now turns to developing a detailed position profile to guide identification of possible candidates for the presidency.

Questions regarding the Search Committee and process may be directed to Deb deBruijn, University Secretary, debdebruijn@trentu.ca or 705-748-1223.

Sincerely,

Bryan Davies

Chair, Presidential Search Committee

Chair, Executive Committee of the Board of Governors