Would the real Dr Marion Kimberley please step forward...

Providing a service to those who wish to appoint people. From approval of the post right through to issuing a contract and supporting departments in their relationships with their staff. Developing College policy and strategy to make sure that the College remains competitive in the job market.

How long have you been at IC in your current position? What was your previous job?

I have been here for 13 months, and before this I was the Executive Dean of the NHLI (she was in favour of the merger, seeing it as an opportunity for a good alliance).

What was your first job, how much were you paid and how long did you hold it?

My first job was as a mathematics lecturer at Goldsmith’s College on a salary of Ł1,016 pa, a fortune in those days. I went on to become the head of department, then the Dean of Science and Mathematics. I was there for 20 years. As a student, I did all the traditional student vacation jobs: working in a laundry, doing the Christmas Post. One summer I even worked in a Max Factor factory - it gave me a headache. Oh, and when I was 14 I played the piano for ballet classes.

Do you enjoy working here? What are the challenges that face you?

Yes, though there is too much work to do. I have spent this year restructuring the division to make it easy. The expectations for the senior staff are onerous though once my division is restructured the workload should be more reasonable. I have 33 staff in my division which will increase by a third after the mergers.

Has you role within College changed while you have been here?

It has changed much yet! I have spent the whole year analysing what the division does, what College does. The current workload means that ‘fire-fighting’ dominates my day.

When, if ever, you leave here, what would you like to be remembered for?

I would like to be remembered for having made a difference for the benefit of people. I would like to see a balanced esteem given to others, that is staff other than academic staff. Also the imbalance of women at the senior level should be resolved. IC should be more progressive on women’s representation.

Does this make it more difficult working here?

Not really, I have spent all my life working in this sort of environment.

What do think of the recent attempt by the Sabbaticals from Kings to remove the ULU post of Womens’ Officer?

The problem is that there are arguments both ways. There is a plus side to positive discrimination, yet we don’t want to disadvantage half the population. It would be better if there was an equal ops officer rather than just a womens’ officer.

How will the new Asylum and Immigration Act affect your work?

On an operational level, it means that we will have to be a bit more intrusive into peoples lives, and personally, I don’t like that. Other than that, it is highly unlikely to affect anyone employed by IC.

Where were you born and brought up?

Bournemouth

Where did you go to university? What did you read?

Westfield College, in the University of London where I read maths, and also my Doctorate.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?

My mother and father for their strong principles: honesty, hard work and fairness. My parents were unusual for their generation, they had a forward looking approach to things and they were very open especially about things like sex.

What do you do in your spare time?

Haven’t got any at the moment. I used to sing in a choir and go to concerts, the theatre, cinema and aerobics, before my husband died we used to go dinghy sailing. Children: one at uni, two with homes and two grandchildren.

Which do you prefer - doughnuts with jam or doughnuts with holes?

With Jam, I suppose, though I don’t have a particularly sweet tooth. I suppose the sharp taste of the jam, I like sharp jam, it contrasts with the puffiness of the pastry.

What was the last book you read?

Alan Bennett’s Writing Home. I tend to have five on the go at once and fall asleep reading one of them.

What is your favourite book?

I don’t have a favourite and I don’t like thrillers, but I do like a mystery with a good plot. Hold on, I’ve just thought of my favourite, it’s Testament of Youth by Vera Britten.

Could describe an anecdote typical of you time as a student.

I can remember three things that stand out from my time as a student. When I was at Westfield College, in Hampstead, we had to wear gowns to lectures. We had to cross from our halls and I can’t tell you how many times I impaled my gown on a door handle.

Secondly, when we had fire drills in these houses, we were hoisted out of the upper story window in a canvas seat.

Lastly, when the Queen came to open the new science department, the local authority spent several days repainting the local bins and road markings. I found it amazing that they thought that the Queen couldn’t handle seeing a bit of dirt.

No, I am against any form of hereditary system.

Succinctly as possible, how would you describe today’s students?

The very nature of my job means that I don’t come across student’s very often, only in lifts! The student I know best is my daughter who is bright, responsible and nice to know, and I assume Imperial College students are the same