The Big Conversation: Shaping the Future of Higher Education Governance

Aaron Porter

Associate Director (Governance)

Aaron leads on Advance HE governance activity through the delivery of our national Governor Development Programme which engages with around 900 governors across the UK on an annual basis. He has extensive experience leading reviews of over 25 governing boards. Aaron was previously President of the National Union of Students (NUS) and also chair of trustees for the organisation.

Dr Kate Wicklow

Policy Director

Dr Kate Wicklow is the Policy Director (Insight, Access & Student Experience) at GuildHE. She leads work on behalf of the Guild in the areas of regulation and funding, data and planning, access and participation, admissions, student support and equality and diversity.

Ben Vulliamy

Executive Director at the Association for Heads of University Administration (AHUA)

Ben Joined the AHUA as Executive Director summer 2024 supporting the association as it developed new strategies to increase its advocacy and influencing work, develop new and existing executive level governance, operations and administration professionals and to strengthen the communities of people in those roles.

Nicola de Iongh

Chair of the CUC (Committee of University Chairs), Chair of Council

Nicola is passionate about social transformation, and in particular the systemic relationship between education, health and housing.

Alex Proudfoot

Chief Executive – IHE (Independent Higher Education)

Alex oversees IHE’s strategic development, manages its day-to-day activities, and represents members at external meetings and committees. He was also a Trustee of UKCISA, the UK Council for International Student Affairs, for 10 years.

Professor Nic Beech

Vice-Chancellor

Nic is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford and was previously Vice-Principal at the University of St Andrews, Provost of Dundee University and Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University. He is Chair of the Quality Council for UK Higher Education and Treasurer and on the Board of Universities UK.

Professor Nic Beech

Vice-Chancellor

Nic is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford and was previously Vice-Principal at the University of St Andrews, Provost of Dundee University and Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University. He is Chair of the Quality Council for UK Higher Education and Treasurer and on the Board of Universities UK.

Mary Curnock Cook CBE

Mary Curnock Cook is an independent education expert serving in a non-executive capacity on a number of Boards. From 2010-2017, Mary was Chief Executive of UCAS. Earlier in her career she held executive and non-executive positions in the education, hospitality, food and biotech sectors.

Professor Kamran Razmdoost

Dean of ESCP Business School

Kamran Razmdoost is the Dean of ESCP Business School, London Campus, and a Professor of Management. He also serves as the Managing Director of the Campus’ Corporate Services Board, responsible for providing executive education to leading multinational businesses.

John Rushforth

Senior Governance Associate

John is a nationally recognised expert on UK University governance. He is responsible for the key documents that underpin the governance of all publicly funded UK HE institutions namely the CUC HE Code of Governance, the HE Senior Staff Remuneration Code, a range of illustrative practice notes e.g. Academic Assurance, Recruitment of VCs, etc and a Leadership Foundation publication on the relationship between Vice Chancellors and Chairs.

Lesley Haig

Vice-Chancellor, Health Sciences University

Lesley is Vice-Chancellor and CEO of the Health Sciences University, previously AECC University College, a specialist health sciences university. She has worked for over 25 years as a senior academic leader, researcher and clinician in several UK universities.