Dixon Walter assist Royal College of Art with appointment of Chief Operating Officer
Posted 20th May 2019
The Royal College of Art today announced the appointment of John Worne, as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mr. Worne is currently Chief Operating Officer (Arts and Sciences) at King’s College London, and will be joining the RCA 1 September 2019.
Dixon Walter were pleased to assist the College with this key appointment which involved an extensive search campaign.
John will play an integral role in overseeing the operations of the College bringing extensive expertise in strategy, governance, stakeholder relations and communications across higher education, the cultural sector, government and international business.
John joins the RCA from King’s College London where he has been COO for Arts and Sciences since 2015. In this role, he oversaw a major £100 million transformation of the iconic Bush House complex and significant redevelopment of the main King’s Strand Campus, as well as leading day-to-day operations and the professional services teams.
Prior to working at King’s, Worne was Director of Strategy & Corporate HQ for the British Council, where he was responsible for strategy, governance and the core Government funding of the UK’s international cultural organisation. He has also held significant roles at the UK Government Cabinet Office and Department of Health.
Commenting on the appointment, Dr Paul Thompson, RCA Vice-Chancellor, said: ‘I’m excited to welcome John to our senior management team where his expertise will be a huge asset to the College.’
‘John’s significant experience at leading educational and cultural organisations will be a great advantage as we move forward with our ambitious plans to expand our estate, expertise and technical provision as a STEAM-led art and design university.’
John Worne commented: ‘To play my part at the RCA in the stewardship and ongoing success of a truly great institution will be both a joy and a privilege.’
Jocelyn Prudence (also appointed through Dixon Walter earlier this year) will continue as interim COO and work closely with Mr Worne during a handover period.
Dr Paul Thompson, RCA Vice-Chancellor commented on the support provided by Dixon Walter as “Dixon Walter were very good at taking and delivering a brief, and were very realistic. Feedback from the successful candidate has also been positive. I would definitely use Dixon Walter again for a similar role.”
https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/john-worne-appointed-chief-operating-officer-rca/
Posted by Sarah Walker
Share this article.
Higher Education
Posted
As the higher education landscape evolves, so do the challenges and opportunities in talent acquisition.
In this edition of our newsletter we examine the rise of interim appointments in response to the current recruitment challenges, the future of international student recruitment and the latest articles to hit the press as well as a very special milestone…🎂🎂🎂
Here’s to a happy, healthy, and successful 2025 !! 🧡🧡
Higher Education
Posted
This month marks a significant milestone for Dixon Walter, the executive recruitment firm renowned for its specialisation in higher education. Over the past decade, the firm—led by Mike Dixon and Alan Walter—has become a trusted partner to universities, facilitating transformative leadership appointments that have shaped the future of academia and contributed to wider societal progress.
Higher Education
Posted
As executive recruiters specialising in higher education, we’ve witnessed a fascinating shift in recent months: the growing reliance on interim placements to fill critical leadership roles. This trend has been particularly pronounced over the last six months, as declining international student numbers have put significant financial pressure on institutions and the cost of living also having a detrimental impact on domestic student numbers. These economic challenges, coupled with an ever-changing landscape, underscore the adaptability of the sector and the critical need for skilled leadership during these turbulent times.