Breadth of Medr’s remit reflected as it publishes its first Operational Plan

Medr, the body that funds and regulates tertiary education and research in Wales, has published its first Operational Plan.

This follows the publication of its Strategic Plan in March 2025, which outlined its ambitions for a more joined-up and inclusive sector.

The Operational Plan, which covers the 2025-26 financial year, highlights the range of activities that Medr will carry out over the coming months to support equality, the Welsh language and participation. It also outlines the key activities that will improve the way the tertiary education sector in Wales is funded and regulated, in collaboration with providers, partners and stakeholders.

They include:

• Supporting an outward-looking, safe and equal tertiary education and research sector, which has the wellbeing, prosperity and voice of learners at its heart.
• Developing a new and robust regulatory system and quality framework while continuing to implement existing arrangements in the meantime.
• Understanding and developing the skills and provision that learners and communities need.
• Encouraging innovative and forward-looking providers that support their staff and social partnerships.
• Developing impactful and supportive research and innovation environments.
• Developing a national Welsh language plan for the tertiary education and research sector.
• Further embedding a data and evidence base for planning and decision-making across Medr and for the sector.
• Supporting an effective and diverse workforce within Medr; and embedding the principles of social partnership.

Simon Pirotte OBE, Chief Executive of Medr, said:

“Our Strategic Plan was based on founding and growth commitments. We have now taken those ambitions and prioritised areas in which we want to make swift and significant progress to deliver those founding commitments. The Operational Plan shows what we will do to achieve our aims.

“Launching our Operational Plan comes at a key time in strengthening our duties. We have just opened our first major consultation on a new system for regulating tertiary education and training providers. The input of providers and stakeholders is critical to ensuring a regulatory system that delivers these ambitions, and we welcome and encourage all engagement during this process.

“Still, the thread that runs through our organisation remains: that everything we do is centred around learners – in all their diversity. This clear focus will help us, along with providers and other partners, achieve our vision for a tertiary education and research system centred around the needs of learners, society and the economy with excellence, equality and engagement at its heart.”

Medr Operational Plan 2025-26