Our new Head of IT resigned from his former banking job during £1bn debt crisis

He ran a project that cost £200million


Some were hoping it would mean a final fix for Turnitin when Leeds appointed a new Head of IT this week. But it’s also been uncovered that the technology boss left his former job at Co-op Bank during a turbulent time. A series of disasters led to a capital shortfall of nearly £2billion for the bank.

Jim Slack previously worked for Co-op in 2013, where he oversaw a £200million IT system upgrade which collapsed at the time of crisis.

According to news reports from the time:

“Mr Slack was a key member of the team responsible for the disastrous computer system upgrade for the banking operation that cost the mutual more than £200m.”

But it appears the plan fell apart around the same time Slack left the bank.

Either way, he certainly has experience. The University’s Finance Director, Jane Madeley welcomed Mr. Slack’s appointment saying  “I am delighted to welcome Jim to the University and am confident that he will make a significant impact in leading the delivery of an integrated, agile, customer-focused and enabling IT service.”

Let’s just hope he doesn’t play around with Turnitin this essay season.