An outside organisation may be able to enforce contractual commitments against the University if the member of University staff making the commitment had the apparent authority (in the view of the outside organisation) to make such a commitment. It is essential that all members of staff take great care not to enter into contractual commitments with outside bodies unless they are fully authorised to do so. This extends beyond contracts of a purely financial nature, for example, nondisclosure agreements for research work. Any member of the University who has concerns in this area should consult with the relevant School or Professional Service Accountant, or the Director of Research and Innovation Services or Director of Legal Services as appropriate.
Confidentiality Agreements must be signed by Research & Innovation Services.
The University must not be committed to a contract unless and until the signature of the Director of Finance or his/her delegated staff and the Head of School and Dean (if appropriate) have been obtained. The Director of Finance allows delegated authority for the acceptance of contracts on their behalf as follows:
Contract Value |
Designated Officer |
| Any research grant or contract with total value £250,000 or less | Deputy Faculty Finance Manager or other Finance Department staff identified by Faculty Finance Manager |
| Any research grant or contract with total value £400,000 or less (see Research Councils below) | Relevant Faculty Finance Manager |
| UK Research Council grant or contract costed under FEC methodology with total value £500,000 or less | Relevant Deputy/Faculty Finance Manager or other Finance staff identified by Faculty Finance Manager |
| UK Research Council grant or contract costed under FEC methodology with total value £1 million or less | Faculty Finance Manager |
| Any grant or contract above the values set out above | Director or Deputy Director of Finance or Registrar and Chief Operating Officer |