A UNIVERSITY boss came under fire yesterday for seeking to recruit a £19,000-a-year chauffeur – in the same week staff were told their pay could be cut.
Liverpool John Moores University’s vice-chancellor, Professor Michael Brown, wants a driver to ferry him and other top brass around in his department’s official BMW, which comes complete with personalised plate L1 JMU.
The recruitment ad was posted on job sites the same week admissions staff, responsible for recruiting students to the university, were told their pay grades could be downgraded – shaving thousands off some employees’ wages.
Angry staff said the recruitment campaign was “disrespectful” and using a chauffeur made a mockery of the university’s environmental policy.
A spokeswoman said the vice-chancellor and chief executive, along with senior managers and VIPs ,had always had access to a chauffeur-driven vehicle. The car was used for “essential engagements” outside normal hours.
She added: “LJMU is committed to minimising environmental impact.”
