Chief Financial Officer

Simon Newitt

Simon is the Chief Financial Officer at Northumbria University. An ICAEW-qualified accountant, he trained at PwC where he led audit and advisory work across the public and not-for-profit sectors in both the UK and beyond. Simon moved into the HE sector in 2015, as Deputy Finance Director and then Finance Director at the University of Sunderland. He moved to Northumbria University in March 2018.

At the University of Sunderland Simon was responsible for the University’s financial strategy and for leading the finance and planning team. He led the team through a period of major change and restructuring, as well as the successful bid for a medical school.

At PwC Simon specialised in leading teams which delivered complex and high profile assurance and advisory assignments across a range of sectors. He regularly worked with the National Audit Office, and managed the development and delivery of a major programme of assurance over the Department for International Development’s spend in Pakistan.

Simon holds a BA (Hons) in History from Durham University, an MA Medieval History from Durham University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Simon has day-to-day responsibility for the University’s Finance team which includes financial accounting, business partnering with faculties and services, credit control, procurement, and payments. He also has responsibility for the University’s Campus Commercial team, as well as the overall responsibility for the University’s financial performance and control.

Simon’s primary role on the University Executive is around financial control and performance, ensuring that we achieve value for money and prioritise our investment well, that the University’s finances are sustainable, and that we have strong controls in place.

Away from the University Simon is a member of the Executive of the British Universities Finance Directors Group (BUFDG),and chair the BUFDG Learning & Development group.

 

Contact the Chief Finance Officer