Jisc and the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) have formally merged, with all employees of the latter moving to the former.
The change also involves Jisc – the membership body for digital services in tertiary education – creating a new data collection and statistics directorate that takes on the role of designated data body for the sector.
This will involve collecting and publishing statutory data for all higher education providers in the UK.
For the foreseeable future the HESA brand will be maintained and its website will remain as the data hosting platform.
The two organisations have been exploring a merger since the Bell Review of 2017 recommendation consolidation among bodies in the tertiary education sector.
Long time
Jisc CEO, Heidi Fraser-Krauss, said: “This merger has been a long time in the making, with Jisc welcoming on board HESA’s skilled data analytics team back in 2019.
“This month, the transfer of the remaining colleagues will consolidate the considerable expertise of both organisations to create a resilient, joint capability for delivering the sector's data and digital needs.”
HESA CEO Robin Phillpotts commented: “I am delighted that we have completed this merger and are now able to focus on developing the services we offer and on delivering benefit to our provider customers, to students and to other data users.
“Our work will continue without disruption as we bring our two organisations together.
“I am really looking forward to working with Heidi and the rest of the leadership team at Jisc to enhance Jisc’s combined digital and data capabilities and to provide trusted, expert advice and guidance along with a broad range of services across the sector.”
