Alistair Jarvis CBE
Alistair Jarvis CBE is the Chief Executive of Advance HE. Prior to this, he served as Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of London from 2022 to 2025.
Kathryn Harrison-Graves
Deputy Chief Executive
In this role Kathryn leads Advance HE's service development ensuring that the organisation meets the changing needs of members and partners both within the UK and across the globe.
Sarah Threadgold
Director of Finance and Deputy Chief Operating Officer
Sarah Threadgold (FCCA) joined Advance HE (previously at the HEA) in May 2017. In her role she oversees the directorate whose departments are Corporate Support, Culture, Finance, ICT, Legal, and People.
David Bass
Director for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
David is responsible for providing organisational leadership in our work on EDI, both internally and externally. He brings a wealth of experience working with universities and the tertiary sector, in equality and diversity, governance, access, as well as strategic planning and management. David has been central to ensuring EDI is strongly embedded in Advance HE’s new strategy and in the development of our CEO’s Race Action Group.
Hannah Harris
Head of Corporate Support and Company Secretary
Hannah Harris is responsible for ensuring that Advance HE complies with its statutory and regulatory requirements and maintains high standard of corporate governance practice. She oversees all governance arrangements providing advice and guidance in relation to the conduct and running of Board and committee meetings and leads Advance HE’s approach to risk management.
Hannah has a BSc in Psychology from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, a Diploma in Management and has completed the Chartered Governance Institute’s, Chartered Secretaries Qualifying Scheme where she is an Associate Member.
Charles Knight
Director of Educational Excellence and Student Success
In this role, Charles leads the organisation’s work with universities and higher education providers to strengthen education quality, student outcomes and institutional capability, working across learning and teaching, leadership, organisational development and innovation. Previously, Charles held the role of Director of Leadership, Governance and Management, where he led major sector-wide leadership and governance programmes, shaping Advance HE’s offer for senior leaders, governing bodies and executive teams in the UK and internationally.
