University chief admits to having “a relationship” with one of his senior professors

Professor Helen Bailey and University of Bedfordshire vice chancellor Bill Rammell in a photo montage

Bill Rammell took over as the chief of the university, which has bases in Luton, Bedford and Milton Keynes, in August 2012.

Professor of Dance, Helen Bailey, is also the university’s interim Executive Dean of Partnerships and took over that role in June 2013.

In a statement confirming the relationship, the University of Bedfordshire issued a statement which said “in accordance with the University’s policies relating to personal relationships at work, Professor Bailey, who is interim Executive Dean of Partnerships, will move to report to the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor. She has also stepped down as a staff Governor to avoid any potential conflict of interest.”

The chairman of the University’s Board of Governors, Alan Cook, gave Mr Rammell his “whole-hearted support”. He said: “Both the Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean have acted with professionalism and integrity. They alerted the Board at the earliest opportunity and they are both assured of our whole-hearted support.”