In Conversation with Gerry Greyling
Gerry Greyling, Chief Operating Officer at Bournemouth University, has a diverse background in HE across three continents. Prioritising operational planning, data-led decision-making, and using technology to add value within a continuous improvement culture.
Gerry fell into Higher Education employment by accident. Starting as a student, he began his career in a part-time student documentation office that soon became permanent.
Watch the full interview with Gerry Greyling
How has your career in Higher Education progressed?
Gerry Greyling has never had a long-term career title or goal; however, he has always wanted to enjoy what he does and make a difference.
Working in universities has been a highlight for Gerry, as he states universities are amazing employers and have really good work/life balances.
In 2008, he immigrated to the UK, with his first role redesigning a university registry department. This then became a permanent operations manager job, to which Gerry was promoted as Head of Students Systems and Head of Student Financial Support.
As his career progressed, four years later Gerry moved on to become Head of Business Development within a faculty. Throughout his career, Gerry has always had supportive managers, guiding him through his career journey.
After working in various roles for 12 years at Imperial, Gerry was worried he only had one institution under his belt and decided it was time to join a small private university as part of the executive to lead student administration.
Gerry found moving to a different sector helped him learn many lessons along the way and how universities can be run.
What have been the most memorable moments in your career?
The most defining moments for Gerry was leaving South Africa, as he knew he wasn’t going back and therefore had to make it work in the UK.
It was a stressful period of time, surviving on 20 pounds a week, during the first year. Although, staying at Imperial for 12 years and leaving it for the unknown was another momentous moment for Gerry.
Reflecting on the move, it was one of the best things Gerry did! It helped him with new growth opportunities, to meet new people, and understand new ways of working.
The transformation work Gerry led at Regions really laid the foundation for the work that he later did at Canterbury. He often reflects on the challenges and how momentous that was, forever feeling proud of the work completed at that organisation.
What opportunities has your professional career in education opened up for you?
Gerry has been extremely fortunate to be able to travel for work, including multiple trips to Singapore whilst developing Imperial College’s joint medical school.
Amongst the years, he has benefited from multiple HE networks, as the sector is very well connected in that sense, where leaders and managers have witnessed Gerry’s potential and agreed to invest in him individually.
Reflecting on your journey, what key lessons have you taken away from working in education?
Gerry feels many leaders have been lacking when the required pace of change to address their institutional challenges arises.
Reducing bureaucracy in the process and saving valuable resources can certainly improve service delivery. Gerry quickly learned not to be apologetic about being ambitious and valuing time.
What advice would you give for someone looking to progress in their career?
Gerry’s first advice for someone looking to progress in their career is to listen and understand challenges from other people’s perspectives.
Be that person who wants to help improve and make things better. People want to work with people who make their lives easier; be that person who reduces operational friction.
Gerry points out that if you always provide problems, then your career progression will probably be limited. Think about the solutions that will help address those, and if you’re in a position to deliver those solutions, then do, as it will always benefit you.
Gerry’s main advice is really consider carefully, but don’t be afraid to change organisations if you feel that it will be the right step for you in your career.
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Gerry Greyling Bio
Gerry is Chief Operating Officer at Bournemouth University. He co-authored the university’s BU2035 strategy and is leading its commercial transformation.
A results-driven leader with 20+ years’ experience across research-intensive, private and post-92 universities in South Africa and in the UK. Including at Imperial College London, where he led the development of their joint medical school in Singapore.
Gerry has a proven track record of turning strategy into action. Driving multimillion-pound efficiencies and institutional level financial recovery, delivering sector leading student experiences, scaling services, directing digital transformation and building confident and high-performance cultures.
Outside work, Gerry is a keen sports enthusiast, with a love of sport shaped by his South African roots. He coaches his son’s rugby team and is enjoying his new life by the sea, including learning to paddleboard.
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