Chris Courtman has served as the Finance and Operations Director at St John’s College since 2023. Overseeing finance, estates, strategy and compliance, Chris’s wide-ranging role touches almost every aspect of life at St John’s. The Chronicle sits down with him to hear more about his responsibilities, the opportunities and challenges they bring, and the exciting developments shaping the future of the College.
What does your role involve day to day?
My role is fairly varied spanning finance, risk, estates, operations, HR, compliance and business resilience, consequently no two days look the same! Although for some these are the less glamorous or interesting sides to College life, I trust that they are integral to the safe and fruitful flourishing of the community and the organisation.
What are some of the biggest opportunities or challenges in your area of work at the moment?
Delivering the Heart of the College redevelopment programme has been for me one of the most exciting and rewarding projects to date. Nearing the completion of Phase 1, the Binks Hall, a space that will offer fantastic teaching, worship, lecture, events and cinema replete with state-of-the-art technology has been a real milestone and demonstrated what can be done by investing in our existing buildings. The next phase, the development of the Leech hall and surrounding courtyards and rooms, will represent a significant investment in the college and will enhance community life making it more accessible and sustainable for future generations.
Outside work, what do you enjoy doing?
I love cycling and where time allows try get out on two wheels, whether that is cycling to work, taking part in the annual through-the-night 100 mile ‘Ride to the Sun’ from Carlisle to Edinburgh, or struggling to keep up with my kids on the mountain bike trails at Hamsterly Forest.
Finally, the most difficult question of them all – what is your favourite John’s Potato?
I’d have to say the Curly Fries!
