2023 saw our membership expand further, with 77 members now part of the IHE community. We welcomed nine new members representing a diverse range of specialisms including film, fashion, counselling, and science. Each new member strengthens and enhances the IHE network, bringing new insights and opportunities to collaborate as part of our thriving ecosystem of independent providers. Growth of the staff team this year has enabled us to better serve our expanding membership, building on existing activity and increasing the expert support delivered to the IHE community.
This report highlights IHE’s significant policy influence over the course of the year, through our robust and ongoing engagement with policymakers and sector stakeholders. A key achievement in 2023 was giving evidence to the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee’s inquiry into the Office for Students (OfS), where we provided insights into the experiences of new and specialist institutions and advocated for independent providers in the regulation of the higher education sector. We have continued to champion independent providers within the highest levels of government, through strategic collaborations with key stakeholders in the education sector, and as part of our ongoing work with IHE partners and supporters.
A major development during 2023 was the establishment of our Student Advisory Board (SAB), strengthening our commitment to student representation and creating opportunities to amplify the student voice. We also completed a comprehensive governance review, updating our Articles of Association and redrafting our Membership Regulations. As we approach the final year of our current strategy, we look ahead to the next phase holding ourselves to the highest standards for governance, professionalism, transparency and accountability.
As we reflect on our achievements and impact in 2023, we enter 2024 as a respected and influential voice for independent higher education. Building on our success to date, we look forward to the year ahead and the opportunities for further growth, innovation, and influence.