Somayeh Aghnia, FBCS, Cofounder of London School of Innovation, Geeks and WordUp
Somayeh is a visionary changemaker at the intersection of technology, education, and business, working to shape a positive AI-powered future. As co-founder of London School of Innovation, UK's first tech specialised university, Geeks, an AI Adoption Consultancy and WordUp, an AI language-learning app, she is dedicated to cultivating leaders for our AI-powered tomorrow. Host of The Innovation Room podcast, she explores overlooked perspectives with industry leaders. Recognised with awards like the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation, Somayeh is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of technology through responsible leadership, often engaging in debates on education, work and of course dogs.
John Atherton, VP Sales, EMEA, Explorance
John is the VP Sales for EMEA at Explorance. He graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2007 with a Business Studies degree and has since worked in the Higher Education sector, supporting universities with student voice strategies and technologies. In that time, he has worked directly with over half the institutions in the UK and many more across Europe and Africa. John joined Explorance in 2015 to lead the growth and operations for the European region, and continues to manage several university partnerships.
Dr Catherine Beeby-Mills, Director of Planning and Strategic Projects (Conference Host)
Catherine has worked in UK higher education for 17 years in a range of HE management roles, at a diverse set of universities (modern and research-intensive) and has been part of the wider strategic planning community for six years.
In her current role as Director of Planning and Strategic Projects at the University of Roehampton, Catherine leads the planning, insight and project management services across the University. This includes leading Roehampton’s: business planning cycle, student number planning and strategic risk management; data and insight services – including statutory returns; and delivery of the University’s portfolio of strategic projects and the supporting project management services.
Fenna Boerkamp, Institutional Researcher, Liverpool John Moores University
Fenna Boerkamp is an Institutional Research and Evaluation Officer at Liverpool John Moores University. Her main focus revolves around overseeing internal and external surveys and evaluating activities related to Access and Participation, with the aim of providing valuable data-driven insights to enhance the student experience.
With degrees in Psychology (BSc) and Behaviour Change (MSc), both earned with distinction, Fenna brings a solid academic grounding to her current role. Previously, she taught psychology at the University of Twente, specialising in research methodologies, systematic intervention design, and communicational skills. Additionally, she gained practical experience in a Behavioural Science Consultancy, applying behavioural analyses and user research to inform policy and service design in the public sector. These experiences equipped her with a thorough understanding of teaching methods, student needs, and the ability to translate data into actionable insights, essential for her current role in institutional research and evaluation.
Emma Brookes, Strategic Projects & Research Manager, UHR
Emma brings nearly two decades of HR expertise to Universities Human Resources, with a career rooted in enhancing people strategies across the Higher and Further Education sectors. Since joining UHR in 2021, Emma has led a variety of impactful projects aimed at supporting members, with a particular focus on reward, engagement, ways of working, and wellbeing. Beyond her work at UHR, Emma is an active member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), currently serving as Chair of the CIPD Manchester Branch. Her work is driven by a commitment to building engaging, inclusive workplaces that support the needs and aspirations of all employees.
Carley Brown, Consultant, Strengthify
Paul Clark has worked for over 30 years in the higher education sector. He has held senior leadership positions at University College London (as Vice-President for Strategy), the Higher Education Statistics Agency (as Chief Executive), and Universities UK (as Director of Policy). In all of these roles, he developed and implemented effective strategies, policies, and frameworks for planning, performance, organisational transformation, and data management.
Paul has particular expertise in data strategy, governance, and privacy regulation. He is passionate about supporting the advancement and innovation of the higher education sector and its contribution to society.
Dan Cook, Director, data policy and research at the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA, a part of Jisc)
Dan has worked in Higher Education for over twenty-five years, at the Universities of Bristol, Southampton and Exeter. In 2014 Dan moved to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, where he has lead on data development projects from the implementation of the Finance record, the review that resulted in the creation of the Graduate Outcomes Survey, and most recently the review of the Higher Education – Business and Community Interactions survey, which has led to the collection of the first public census of University spin-out companies. Dan’s group produces research, policy analysis and undertakes experimental data development projects to support innovation in HESA’s official statistics outputs, collections, and professional practice. See https://www.hesa.ac.uk/research for more about this work. Dan was awarded an MBA in Higher Education Management from the Institute of Education (now a part of UCL) in 2013.
Craig Chapman-Smith, Director of Strategy Implementation and Risk, University of Glasgow
Craig has over 30 years’ experience in portfolio, programme and project management and has delivered major change in the retail, medical/pharmaceutical, government and health sectors. Craig has been at the University of Glasgow for over 6 years and has taken the lead in transforming risk, governance and portfolio management. His current role drives forward the implementation of the University and enabling strategies. Craig is the current Chair of the HESPA Specialist Interest Group for Strategy Development and Implementation as well as a member of the HESPA Higher Education Risk Management Network (HERMN).
Dr Shane Crothers, Director of Business Intelligence and Planning, Ulster University
Shane has 24 years’ experience in HE; spanning teaching, research, institutional planning and widening participation, as well as a decade of concurrent commercial experience in the private sector.
Over his career inside and outside of HE, he has been involved in everything from the development of atmospheric correction algorithms for space-based instruments to drafting institutional and subsidiary strategies, and from designing and building new homes to developing and delivering flagship educational outreach initiatives (and, of course, countless HESA returns).
Shane has a PhD in evidence-led decision-making, and, as Director of Business Intelligence and Planning, has sought to transform Ulster University’s capability, capacity and culture in respect of BI to enable and empower decision-making that is both action-orientated and evidence-led.
Shirley Dalziel, Director, Develop Global
Shirley is a founder and Director of Develop Global, specialising in consultancy and training in Business Partnering across Corporate Service Teams, including Finance, HR, IT, Supply Chain, Strategy etc. She has been a management consultant since 1993 and an academic from 1984. She is co-author of ‘The Business Partnering Toolkit’ (CIPD 2006) and ‘Transforming Professional Services’ (CIPFA 2018) as well as numerous articles and book chapters over the years. In addition to specialising in Business Partnering, she simplifies complexity and links psychology to business strategy. She has worked across the globe with clients in most business sectors, including numerous Universities.
Dominic Davis, Director of Strategy and Planning, City St George’s, University of London
Dominic is the Director of Strategy and Planning at City St George’s, University of London. Dominic’s role includes: strategy, academic planning, performance, market and business intelligence, data governance, risk management and business continuity.
Dominic moved to Strategy and Planning, having previously been Head of Admissions, and Head of Marketing and Recruitment at City. Before joining City in 2009, Dominic worked for the University of Nottingham.
Dominic studied Philosophy at the University of Birmingham and holds postgraduate qualifications in strategic marketing from the Open University and an MSc in Executive Leadership, from Bayes Business School.
Alaa Elaydi, Head of Academic Quality, Data and Risk, BPP University
Alaa Elaydi is Head of Academic Quality, Data and Risk at BPP University. With experience in policy, strategy, and business intelligence, she has previously held roles at Universities UK, the Scottish Funding Council and the National Union of Students.
Aya Ferguson, Head of Consulting, SUMS Group
Aya has spent over 15 years leading teams to deliver complex change across a breadth of sectors, specialising in Higher Education. Aya recently joined SUMS as Head of Consulting after several senior roles in UK universities including Head of Change Management at King’s College London, Transformation Director at University College London and most recently Director of Change and Improvement at University of East London.
Examples of the change Aya has delivered include: Projects within UCL’s multi-million pound Transforming Our Professional Services programme, Change management for the £100m Bush House programme at King’s College London, which included significant changes to ways of working for academics and professional services staff, and Change Management functions and services at King’s College London, University College London and University of East London.
Aya is passionate about supporting leaders, managers and employees through change and delivering people-related return on investment for institutions.
Miriam Fernandez, Professor of Responsible AI, Open University
Professor Miriam Fernandez is a leading expert in Responsible Artificial Intelligence at the Knowledge Media Institute (KMi), Open University, UK. Her research focuses on aligning AI innovation with ethical and societal values, particularly in areas such as algorithmic transparency, fairness, and the societal impacts of AI. A prolific researcher with over 100 publications in top journals and conferences, Professor Fernandez has secured more than £2M in external funding. She leads OU Analyse, a pioneering initiative using machine learning to identify at-risk students, supporting the success of the Open University’s 200,000-strong student body. She also champions equality and diversity across KMi and the OU.
Dr Sarah Gordon, Prof of Practice, Satarla
Dr Sarah Gordon is co-founder and CEO of Satarla sustainability and risk management. She is also co-founder of the not-for-profit Responsible Raw Materials and production company Critical Productions. Recently she also took on a part time role at Imperial College as Professor of Practice and Co-Director of the new Centre for Future Materials.
Having started her career as an exploration geologist before moving into risk management and sustainability, Sarah has always been passionate about ensuring that we make sustainability a reality. Sarah is regularly invited to advise organisations and governments on raw materials and is a member of the UK Government Expert Committee on Raw Materials. Sarah is also a Trustee of Geology for Global Development, Women in Mining UK, is an Industry Advisor to iCRAG, and the University of Leicester Institute for Environmental Futures.
Catherine Hare, Professional Support Lawyer, Forbes Solicitors
Catherine qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and has specialised in employment law since that time. She has represented both Claimant's and Respondent's and worked both in private practice and inhouse. In her role as a professional support lawyer she undertakes many tasks, such as supporting the public sector employment law team by providing legal updates, providing in person and online training to Schools, Academy Trusts and Colleges on a range of legal issues, and drafting documents to ensure legal compliance in an ever evolving legal landscape. Catherine also assists with tenders and attends marketing events.
Julian Hughes, Portfolio Development, Falmouth University
Julian has held a wide range of operational, leadership, executive, strategic and development roles throughout his career within international commercial organisations to local, SME’s. Julian has been involved in large, European-wide learning and development projects leading inception through to delivery and implementation. Having been at Falmouth University for 6 years; Julian has been been involved with both Academic and Professional Services, where he has acted as a central/operational hub to coordinate the implementation of new portfolio; generating a strong understanding of how Falmouth operates and perhaps more importantly, how the university can use the information they collect for common strategic goals.
Niamh Lamond, Registrar and Chief Operating Officer, Swansea University
Niamh Lamond is the Registrar and Chief Operating Officer at Swansea University, overseeing professional services, including Faculty-specific, such as human resources, estates, strategic planning and transformation, marketing, recruitment and international, and digital. With a background in engineering from University College Dublin, and qualifications as a Chartered Management Accountant, Niamh has held senior roles across higher education, including the COO at Ulster University, and CEO of Falmouth Exter Plus (a joint venture partnership between Exeter University and Falmouth University). Niamh has led major campus developments and programmes of professional service redesign , fostering collaboration across teams, innovation, and transformation to enhance the student and staff experience across higher education institutions. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a Chartered Director (IoD).
Dr Julie Leeming, Director of Planning, St George’s School of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's (Conference Host)
Julie joined St George’s in September 2012 and was appointed to the role of Director of Planning at St George’s in September 2016. She provides advice on policy initiatives, rankings and performance. Her responsibilities include:
Julie currently sits on a number of external groups including the CUG advisory board, HEDIG and the JISC student data forum. She is a member of the HESPA exec and in co-Chair of the London Higher Planners’ Group. In Aug 2024, City and St George’s Universities merged, to form City St George’s.
Laura C McHugh, Partner, Forbes Solicitors
Laura is a Partner with over fifteen years of experience in employment law. Having acted almost exclusively for clients in the Education sector for a number of those years, Laura is a trusted advisor to many Schools, Academy Trusts and Colleges (both FE and Sixth-Form). Laura also regularly acts for Local Authorities and Housing Associations, providing pragmatic and proactive advice together with a clear commercial strategy to clients with regards to all aspects of employment law.
Dr Alba Morales-Tirado, Research Associate, Open University
Dr. Alba Morales Tirado is a postdoctoral researcher at the Knowledge Media Institute, Open University, currently leading work on the FairAI4EdTech project. She brings extensive expertise in AI development and privacy, overseeing technical, social, and policy challenges related to bias and fairness. Alba completed her PhD in 2022, focusing on data-driven support for Smart Cities, specifically using her "Health Condition Evolution Ontology (HECON)" to identify health information critical for emergency response. She has also worked as an Information Security Specialist, auditing Industrial Control Systems, and holds a master’s in Information Security from the University of Greenwich.
Dr Paul Mulholland, Senior Research Fellow, Open University
Dr. Paul Mulholland is a Senior Research Fellow at the Knowledge Media Institute, The Open University. He has been a Principal or Co Investigator on 12 national and European funded projects, delivering outcomes including: innovative applications for museum staff and visitors; mobile applications for formal and informal learning; automated narrative generation tools; and semantic and knowledge technologies for school and work-based learning. He has published over 100 conference and journal articles. He is Deputy Editor of the International Journal of Human Computer Studies.
Dr Catherine Murray, Director of Planning at Queen Mary University, London
Catherine has been Director of Planning at Queen Mary for 7 years and has previously worked at Westminster, Middlesex, LSE and the University of Hull. She has broad knowledge of UK higher education and planning. A key area of interest is in the production of high-quality information that enables academic colleagues to make timely decisions that will improve the experience of their students, and their research performance.
Graham Pollard, Chief Operating Officer, The Royal Agricultural University
Graham is currently Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), with a broad portfolio that oversees all Professional Service functions, and involves working on a local, national and international level. Prior to this he was Director of Operations at the University of Liverpool and was also a Non-Executive Director for an NHS Trust.
Graham has built a comprehensive knowledge of operational leadership and an appetite for continuous improvement. His commitment to supporting education, research and people is coupled with an understanding of the importance of partnership and collaboration. This is achieved through working at the interface between different sectors and organisations, generating exceptional user experience, creating world class facilities and driving revenue.
Ramita Tejpal, Associate Professor and Dean of Academic Quality and Policy, BPP University
Ramita Tejpal is Associate Professor and Dean of Academic Quality and Policy at BPP University. With significant experience across both the higher and further education sectors, she has held advisory roles across the sectors on strategic, policy and governance matters, and worked closely with statutory and regulatory bodies as a reviewer and inspectorate.
Adrian Vickers, Partner, Fusion – Estates Strategists
Adrian is a founding Partner at Fusion, a company specialising in delivering sustainable, cost-effective and evidence-based estate development plans and strategies.
Adrian trained as a chartered accountant at Price Waterhouse, he then worked in senior management within the NHS. His roles included supporting and assessing major capital developments which led him into estate planning consultancy for over 24 years, including specialising in developing complex, empirical capacity models to quantify space requirements and evidence need.
Founded in 2008, Fusion works across both Healthcare and Higher Education - from vision and strategy to activity-based redesign and performance improvement, from concept to detailed planning and delivery, avoiding where possible expensive capital costs and maximising current facilities.
Carrie Williams, Account Director Higher Education, Lightcast
Carrie supports Lightcast’s university clients in the UK and Europe as they use skills and labour market data to inform a range of activities from strategic planning, to course development and design, careers advice, and academic research. Carrie has a background in marketing and student recruitment that gives her a keen appreciation of the importance of employment outcomes to prospective students.
Jonathan Woodhead, Policy Adviser, Birkbeck, University of London
Jonathan is a Policy Adviser at Birkbeck, University of London. He leads on all aspects of public affairs, stakeholder engagement and policy development. Jonathan has experience in the world of politics and Higher Education having worked as a Political Assistant to Mark Prisk MP, the former Business Minister, and latterly as a Policy Adviser to The Rt. Hon. David Willetts MP, now Lord Willetts of Havant. Jonathan was also the Senior Public Affairs Officer at Universities UK and a former Executive Officer to a London based Vice-Chancellor. He holds a BA in International Relations and an MA in War Studies from King’s College, London.
Dr Elena Zaitseva, Head of Student Voice and Evaluation, Liverpool John Moores University
Dr Elena Zaitseva is Head of Student Voice and Evaluation at Liverpool John Moores University, and Reader in Student Voice in Higher Education. She leads an institutional research team responsible for providing high-quality data and insight into students’ learning experiences, through the management of internal and external surveys, and evaluation of Access and Participation Plan activities. Her research interests are in student surveys, student voice, equity and student success.
Elena has been utilising text mining for analysis of large institutional and national data sets and informing academic practice and institutional policies since 2011. She has got a particular expertise in the application of unsupervised semantic mapping of natural language for analysis student feedback. She is the lead editor of the book Analysing Student Feedback in Higher Education: Using Text Mining to Interpret the Student Voice (2021, Routledge). With contribution from Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, New Zealand, UK and USA, the book provides insights enabled by computer-aided analysis in distilling the student voice and turning large volumes of data into useful information and knowledge to inform actions.
