31. Finance & Contracts

Content last updated: 15 April 2026

Function Senior Leadership Team: Daniel Waas, Jo Zamani and Chris Smith 

Executive Senior Responsible Owner: Ann Wieland

The Finance and Contracts Function is the "engine room" that manages the organisation's money, legal agreements, and buying processes. We ensure that the RDN operates safely, complies with the law, and manages its budget wisely.

Our work is split into three easy-to-understand areas:

1. Finance: Managing the Budget

The Finance team looks after the "bank balance." We set budgets for staff pay and running costs, helping managers plan their spending for the year. We provide financial assurance by checking that every penny spent—such as hiring a new team member via the Vacancy Approval Panel—is affordable and offers the best value for money.

2. Contracts: Protecting Our Interests

The Contracts team handles the "rules" of our relationships. We draft and arrange for approval of the legal documents that allow us to work with partners and suppliers. If you need to amend an agreement or are worried about a legal risk, we provide expert guidance to keep the organisation protected and compliant with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) “rules” and the law.

3. Purchasing: Buying Goods & Services

The Purchasing team helps you get the tools you need to do your job. We make sure buying follows University of Leeds rules, from raising Purchase Orders to ensuring we hit end-of-year deadlines.

The function is delivered through three sub-functions: Finance, Purchasing, and Contracts.

Finance Team

The Finance team acts as the organisation’s "financial navigator." We ensure that every pound spent is planned for, tracked, and used effectively to meet our goals.

Our key activities include:

• Budgeting & Planning: We set and manage the budgets for everything from staff salaries (Pay) to office supplies and services (Non-Pay). We work closely with department heads to forecast spending for the year ahead.

• Financial Oversight: We monitor spending to ensure it stays on track. Our goal is to maximise "value for money" and find ways to work more efficiently.

• Practical Support: We provide daily guidance on financial matters. For example, we attend weekly Vacancy Approval Panel (VAP) meetings to cost and review every new staff request before it is approved.

• Reporting: We keep a clear record of where money is going, providing regular updates to ensure the organisation remains financially healthy.

Contracts Team

The Contracts team manages the "rules" of our professional relationships. We make sure every agreement we arrange for authorisation is clear, legal, and protects the interests of the RDN.

Our key activities include:

• Document Management: We handle the entire lifecycle of our legal documents—from drafting and signing to ensuring we follow the agreed terms.

• Agreement Updates: We manage any amendments (variations) needed for our major contracts, including Host and Delivery Organisation agreements.

• Expert Review: We carefully check terms and conditions sent to us by partners or suppliers to spot legal risks before we commit.

• Strategic Reporting: We keep the RDN Board and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) updated on the status of all our active contracts.

• Advice & Guidance: You can contact us for help with legal risks, compliance questions, or any documentation affecting our work.

Important: We must review any new funding requests or service orders (like consultancy or emergent work) alongside the Finance team to ensure they are legally sound before they move forward.

Purchasing Team

The Purchasing team helps you get the goods and services you need to do your job. We make sure everything the RDNCC buys is done correctly, follows the rules, and spends public money wisely.

Our key activities include:

• Buying Support: We guide you through the process of purchasing items, from finding the right supplier to ensuring we follow University of Leeds procurement policies.

• Purchase Orders: We assist with raising and managing Purchase Orders, making sure all the paperwork is in place so suppliers can be paid on time.

• Value for Money: We check that purchases are necessary and cost-effective, helping the organisation stay within its budget.

• Year-End Coordination: We provide clear deadlines and guidance for the end of the financial year. This includes help with "Goods Receipting" and final submissions to ensure all spending is recorded in the correct year.

• Process Advice: You can contact us for general guidance on any University of Leeds purchasing rules or systems.

The RRDN Contracts Framework page on the POF Support Pages site contains information about the NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) contracting process, templates and guidance documents.

Key Contacts

Finance Team- For queries regarding budgets, reports, staff expenses, VAP submissions, or costings, please use the central inbox to ensure your request is tracked: RDNCC.Finance_Team@leeds.ac.uk

Contracts Team- For advice on legal documentation, contract variations, or risk assessments, please contact: Naoimh Bohan & Onique Bohan (naoimh.bohan@nihr.ac.uk / onique.bohan-edmeade@nihr.ac.uk)

Purchasing Team- For help with purchase orders, invoices, or setting up new suppliers, please use the relevant inbox below:

• General Enquiries: rdncc.purchasing@nihr.ac.uk

• Sensitive Data: Please use the University of Leeds (UoL) mailbox for any sensitive information: rdncc.purchasing@leeds.ac.uk