[Responsible-digital-futures] Concerns regarding huge IT procurement costs at UK universities

[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues,


I would like to share some information regarding the importance of robust
and transparent rules for IT procurement in UK universities.


The information that has recently been made in a public post in LinkedIn by
an Emeritus professor at University of Nottingham  on how the senior
management at the University of Nottingham wasted close to £100 million on
a direly implemented IT project and a hopelessly ill-considered real estate
development , followed by panicked steps to save money to balance the books
at the University of Nottingham raises serious questions about the scale of
IT procurement, project management, financial oversight, and accountability
within some UK universities. I understand that hundreds of  staff are now
facing redundancy amid significant financial pressures at the University of
Nottingham . There have also been reports and concerns regarding IT
projects whose costs increased substantially to millions of pounds from
their original estimates in other UK universities also.


Did the University Executive Board members who were responsible for this
failed IT project held accountable? Who was responsible for the tendering
and procurement? The senior management needs to be setting up responsible
and ethical standards for procurement. I have written an open letter on the
need for anti-corruption in UK universities at
https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2026-September/006705.html


These developments raise important questions about whether appropriate
procurement controls and financial safeguards were in place, and whether
sufficient accountability was applied to University Executive Board members
responsible for major projects.


I am concerned that a similar situation could develop at many UK
universities in relation to AI and IT procurement and partnerships
involving AI and Big Tech . My concern is that inadequate oversight of such
projects and partnerships could result in significant financial costs in
the future, with the potential consequences ultimately being borne by staff
( similar to hundreds of redundancies made at University of Nottingham) and
the wider University community.


In my view, there should be a clear commitment from University Executive
Board of all UK universities to responsible, ethical, and transparent
procurement practices. This should include appropriate transparency around
donor contracts, donations, gifts, and partnerships with AI and technology
companies.


Finally, I do not believe that raising legitimate concerns about
procurement, partnerships, governance, transparency, and accountability
should result in an individual being discouraged or silenced. I hope the
University managements will instead engage constructively with these
concerns and ensure that appropriate mechanisms are available for staff to
raise issues in the public interest.


Best wishes


Suchith


Professor Suchith Anand

Professor of Practice in Science Policy | Senior Adviser to Governments and
International Organisations | Scientist | Global Citizen | Science
Diplomacy |  SDG Volunteer and Advocate

https://spspa.exeter.ac.uk/people/profile/index.php?username=sa1131

https://ethicaldatainitiative.org
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