The non-aligned group of university heads have more in common than one might think. These are the 30 or so vice-chancellors of institutions that are not exclusively research or teaching focused, and are not members of existing cliques of university executives. The group includes Keele, Loughborough, and Leicester as well as Brighton, Oxford Brookes and Manchester Metropolitan universities. The NAG (until a better name can be found) will meet up formally for the first time at Oxford Brookes in a couple of weeks' time. Funding chiefs be warned: another lobby will be bending your ears shortly.