The head of financially beleaguered London Metropolitan University has stepped down.

In a statement sent out today, the university said Brian Roper had decided to take up the opportunity of early retirement.

“London Metropolitan University is sorry to announce that Brian Roper, vice-chancellor and chief executive, has decided to leave the university to take up the opportunity of early retirement and to pursue other interests,” Peter Anwyl, chair of the board of governors, said.

“Brian has made a significant contribution to the university, and, on behalf of the board of governors, the university would like to pay tribute to his energy and determination in delivering the university’s mission and to thank him for his support and efforts in his time here.

̽����Ƶ

“Although Brian will not be leaving the university until the end of December 2009, he has stepped down from the role of vice-chancellor with immediate effect. London Metropolitan University will communicate details of Brian’s successor in due course. London Metropolitan University wishes Brian well in his future endeavours.”

As first reported in ̽����Ƶ in July 2008, the Higher Education Funding Council for England has reduced London Met’s grant for 2008-09 by £15 million after it discovered that the university had made incorrect data returns, which are believed to be related to its figures on students who drop out.

̽����Ƶ

In January, it emerged that the funding council also planned a clawback of the money the university was overpaid between 2005 and 2008, which amounts to an additional £38 million.

In an email to staff on 19 February, Mr Roper proposed reducing numbers by up to 550 full-time equivalent posts by July 2010.

The University and College Union branch at London Met said this could mean as many as 700 – or one in four –employees losing their jobs, a move that “defies belief”.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com