A London Tragedy

Given the turmoil in Higher Education, the 21 Group is looking at the background and behaviour of some of our very well-rewarded Vice Chancellors. We started with Professor Colin Bailey, President and Principal of Queen Mary, University of London here.

Next up is Professor Peter Bonfield, Vice Chancellor of the University of Westminster.

A horrific fire erupted in the 24-story Grenfell Tower apartment building in North Kensington, West London, in the early hours of June 14, 2017 and continued burning for 60 hours. The tragedy resulted in 70 fatalities at the scene, with two additional deaths occurring later in the hospital. Many others were injured, whether physically or psychologically. It was the worst residential fire in the United Kingdom since the Second World War. The survivors continue to campaign for justice.

There was a Public Inquiry into the causes of the tragedy chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick. A summary of its findings is here.

Peter Bonfield OBE was appointed as Vice Chancellor and President of Westminster in 2018 off the back of his leadership of the Building Research Establishment (BRE). Bonfield moved into Higher Education after 26 years in the BRE. Amongst the posts he held there was Senior Scientific Officer (1992-2012), before becoming Chief Executive (2012-2018). This is important because it covers the period when the controversial tests of the cladding used on Grenfell Tower took place.

There is no suggestion that Bonfield was personally involved in carrying out the tests.

The lawyers for the Grenfell families objected to Bonfield’s presence on the board of enquiry set up in the immediate aftermath, as he might be conflicted.

“It’s very difficult to understand how they might be able to advise the Government without worrying about what effect tomorrow might have on their legal liability for advice they gave yesterday. Particularly for Peter Bonfield as chief executive, you have some ownership, definitely some moral ownership, definitely professional ownership and not inconceivably some legal ownership of the advice that organisation gave.” (Jolyon Maugham KC)

Bonfield frequently (even before Grenfell) was adamant that the BRE was not the building regulator, just an adviser. This was also the BRE’s defence at the Inquiry. It said it merely tested the panels it was given and these were not the ones installed on Grenfell, despite the certificates being used as if they were. There was criticism aimed at BRE in the Moore-Bick report. The BRE became part of the circle of blame, with many of the parties blaming each other in a complex web of claim and counter-claim, with no-one taking any responsibility. There is more of this here, with Sam Stein KC (famous for his pursuit of the corrupt Post Office management) in full flow:

“The BRE, the BBA, and others signally failed to discharge these responsibilities adequately. They were far too close to their customers. Testing was inadequate and certification haphazard. By their failures, the testing and certification bodies contributed significantly to the Grenfell disaster.” (Sam Stein, KC)

A year later, Peter Bonfield was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Westminster. This is the former Polytechnic of Central London. It was renamed following the Further and Higher Education Act (1992).

Bonfield has a background in building engineering research, with Google Scholar reporting 25 papers, albeit with modest citation counts. His prior experience in Higher Education is more limited — especially of the post-92 universities.

Many of the criticisms levelled at his leadership of BRE repeat themselves in criticisms over the current running of the University of Westminster. A good example is this interview here.  “Competency, professionalism and ethics. ‘These are the key words for us, ones that we speak a lot about,’ Peter Bonfield says.

Nonetheless, Bonfield has been happy to work with dubious regimes in other countries, particularly through the development of the Westminster International University in Tashkent . Uzbekistan is noted for torture, human rights abuses, lack of freedom of speech or religions, violence against women and girls, as well as criminalization of same sex relationships, according to Human Rights Watch. It is regularly listed amongst the most corrupt countries in the world, with graft and bribery common according to Transparency International. It’s not an obvious partner for a Vice Chancellor emphasising competency, professionalism and ethics.

Videos produced by the University often feature Bonfield prominently and he reportedly sees himself as creating happiness for staff and students. The Governors of the University of Westminster are very passive. They have been happy that the finances are in order, as a result of the previous regime’s very hard cost cutting back in 2010, as reported here. So, Bonfield, currently rewarded to the tune of £250,000 per annum, may well have the job of Vice Chancellor for as long as he wants it.

As a co-conspirator said to the 21 Group, “Bonfield thinks the culture at University of Westminster is special. Oh, yes it is. It really is. But in my experience only for its complete denial of reality on the ground.“

The 21 Group will be looking at the Wrecker of Victoria University, Wellington and Cardiff University next. Any information, especially links or documents, on Vice Chancellor Wendy Larner gratefully received. Please send to contact@21percent.org