Speakers:
Ali Abdi
Community Gateway Partnerships Manager, Cardiff University
Ali has worked for Cardiff City Council since 2003, when he graduated in 2006 he began more substantial hours mentoring school children in schools in Cardiff to academically achieve, this project lasted for 6 years and was hailed as very successful. In 2012, Ali moved to another role within the council working closely with Careers Wales to support 16-18yr olds NEETS in to education, employment and training. Ali has a passion for sports and is often involved in brokering opportunities between National Governing Bodies and diverse communities to ensure that opportunities and services are inclusive and representative of the communities. On top of all of this until recently Ali use to work in the evenings as a Youth Worker and would think of imaginative way to engage young people who came to The Buzz, Grangetown Boys & Girls Club and Butetown Pavilion often getting them involved in Community Organising with Citizens UK where we became famous for our Nandos Chicken Run Action.
Ali holds a BA Hons in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management from the University of South Wales and an Msc. in Management in Youth and Community Professions from Cardiff Metropolitan University and holds a PTLLS Qualification from the WEA.
Jim Collins
Director of Strategy and Operations, King's College London
Jim Collins is Director of Strategy & Operations for the International, Engagement & Service (IES) Directorate at King’s, leading on the development and delivery of the Directorate’s integrated strategic plans.
IES brings together the expertise of King’s teams working with communities and partners locally, nationally and globally, providing strategic leadership for the University’s engagement at home and abroad. Jim continues to play a role in strengthening King's relationship with London, building upon his previous tenure as Director of Strategy & Planning (London). In this role, Jim led King’s civic engagement strategy working with key stakeholders in King’s and across the capital.
He joined King’s from UCL where he was Principal Partnerships Manager (London) leading a team of Partnership Managers and External Affairs staff catalysing partnerships with industry and public bodies in London. He also established and managed a portfolio of UCL’s industrial relationships with national and global businesses.
He is currently a member of the board of the Southbank Employers’ Group, recently stepped down as a trustee of the Mary Ward Settlement, and has sat on a wide variety of advisory boards and panels.
Chris Cox
Vice-Principal (Philanthropy and Advancement), The University of Edinburgh
Chris joined the University in February 2016 as Vice Principal with responsibility for strategic philanthropic partnerships and alumni engagement. He was previously Director of Development at The University of Manchester for 10 years, following earlier roles at UCL and Newcastle University.
He has been active with the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), as a previous European representative on their US-based Commission on Alumni Relations, and as a former Chair of CASE’s European Conference in 2016 and 2017. He is on the Faculty for CASE’s global academy, and recently co-chaired the CASE Atlas advisory board - a global initiative to ensure consistent international reporting of philanthropic income to universities. He was Chair of the Ross Group of UK Higher Education Development Directors in 2011 and 2012 and was a member of the Education Task Force for the UK Government’s Giving Summit in 2012.
He is currently leading the external engagement strand for the University’s curriculum transformation programme, and is closely involved with the University’s review of its history and race.
He holds a BA in History from UCL and an MA in International Political Economy from Newcastle University. He has been a Board member at the Royal Northern College of Music since 2013.
Alex Craven
Co-founder and CEO, The Data City
Alex Craven has been at the forefront of digital innovation since founding a digital agency in 1999 and exited in 2018. Now, as Co-Founder and CEO of The Data City, he continues to drive change, using machine learning to map the global economy for both government and the private sector. Under Alex’s leadership, The Data City is revolutionising industrial classification, liberating businesses from outdated systems like SIC codes.
An active figure in the tech community, Alex regularly speaks at industry events, judges innovation awards, and provides advisory services as a non-executive director. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Alex is committed to raising awareness around neurodiversity and supporting entrepreneurship in underrepresented communities.
Sue Cunningham
President and CEO, CASE
Sue Cunningham is a renowned expert in global philanthropy and institutional advancement. She leads CASE, which serves 97,000 advancement professionals and institutional leaders at 3,000 schools, colleges and universities in 80 countries. She is the author of ‘Global Exchange: Dialogues to Advance Education.’ Previously, she served in senior advancement roles at the University of Melbourne, the University of Oxford, Christ Church (Oxford), and the University of St Andrews. Ms. Cunningham received a master's degree from the University of Oxford and a bachelor's degree from Middlesex University, London. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University in 2025. She serves as a Trustee at the University of San Diego and is on the Signature Theatre (Arlington, Virginia) Board of Directors. She is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Melbourne, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and a member of the International Women’s Forum.
Professor Bruce Dowton
Vice-Chancellor and President, Macquarie University
Bruce Dowton joined Macquarie University in September 2012 as its 5th Vice-Chancellor. He is a pediatrician, geneticist, molecular biologist and leader. Previously Dowton served as a senior medical executive in university, healthcare and consulting settings. He also served as Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Dowton has worked in many cultures and contexts across the globe with individuals, institutions and governments to improve health care and universities at many levels. He teaches regularly in leadership development and mentorship programs to assist emerging C-suite leaders. Since 2012, Macquarie University has built global renown in education, discovery, healthcare delivery and innovation. In that time with >$1B investment, Macquaire campus is now a highly sought after destination as one of Australia’s most dynamic global university communities by students, staff and partners.
Becky Edwards
Co-founder Adversity to University (A2U) and Senior Lecturer, Adversity to University (A2U) and University of Chichester
Becky is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Chichester and co-founder of A2U (Adversity to University). She is an educator, SEND charity founder, and award-winning author. Professional daydreamer, lover of books, world-wanderer, writer of stories about Moonbeam the baby unicorn. Passionate about challenging stigma, disrupting inequality, and turning adversity into opportunity.
Melissa Fleming
Under-Secretary General for Global Communications, United Nations
Melissa Fleming was appointed UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications in September 2019.
She leads the UN’s Department of Global Communications, which informs global audiences about the state of the world and engages them to build support for the work and goals of the United Nations.
In this role, Ms. Fleming oversees the Department’s strategic and crisis communications operations, including its multilingual news and digital media services, public outreach programmes, and global campaigns.
Under her leadership, the UN Department of Global Communications developed the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity, a blueprint for healthy information ecosystems.
Previously, Ms. Fleming served 10 years at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as Spokesperson for the High Commissioner and Head of Global Communications. Prior to that, she was the Spokesperson and Head of Media and Outreach at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). She earlier headed Press and Public Information at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and before that, served as Public Affairs Specialist at Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty. She also worked as a journalist.
Ms. Fleming is a TED speaker, the author of the book, A Hope More Powerful than the Sea, and the host of the award-winning UN podcast, Awake at Night. She has published widely on strategic communications and is a frequent public speaker at universities and conferences.
She holds a Master of Science in Journalism from the College of Communication, Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts in German Studies from Oberlin College.
Dr Paula Gould
Associate Director of Campaign Management, University of Sheffield
Dr Paula Gould joined the fundraising and alumni relations office at the University of Sheffield eight years’ ago and now heads up the planning, coordination and delivery of the University’s first major philanthropic Campaign. As Associate Director of Campaign Management, she is a member of the Senior Management Team and leads the department's ‘operational engine room'. This is Paula’s third role at Sheffield, having previously held positions in research development and income growth. Prior to this, she worked in media relations and communications at the University of Leeds and ran her own science/healthcare journalism and copywriting business. Outside of work, Paula enjoys fell-running, hill-walking, cycling and baking (mostly cakes containing fruit or veg). She ventured into community fundraising in spring 2019, raising over £1,200 for University of Sheffield student scholarships by completing her first ever cross-country ski marathon.
Professor Adam Habib
Vice-Chancellor, SOAS University of London
Adam Habib was appointed Vice-Chancellor of SOAS University of London in 2020, arriving from South Africa where he was Principal and Vice-Chancellor of University of the Witwatersrand, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research at the University of Johannesburg and former Professor of Development at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. A professor of Political Science, he has over 30 years of academic, research and administration expertise in institutions distinctively defined by engagements in the contest of ideas, their translation into actionable initiatives and the building of institutions.
Professor Charlie Jeffery CBE
Vice-Chancellor and President, University of York
Professor Charlie Jeffery became Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of York in September 2019. He joined from the University of Edinburgh where he had been Senior Vice-Principal since 2014. He was a Member of Council of the Economic and Social Research Council from 2006-12 and Chair of the Political Studies Association of the UK from 2009-12. He has a deep-rooted interest in how university research and education can serve the general benefit of society, or public good. In Edinburgh and now in York he has worked to bring together the University with local authorities, businesses, other universities and colleges to promote inclusive economic development, and to open up access to university study and economic opportunity to people from disadvantaged backgrounds - both in the UK and internationally.
Professor Nick Jennings CB
Vice-Chancellor and President, Loughborough University
Professor Jennings is Vice-Chancellor and President of Loughborough University. He is also the Vice-President for Fellowship Engagement at the Royal Academy of Engineering. He was previously the Vice-Provost for Research and Enterprise at Imperial College London, the UK Government’s first Chief Scientific Advisor for National Security, and Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton.
Professor Rene Koglbauer
Dean of Lifelong Learning and Professional Practice, Newcastle University
Professor René Koglbauer is Dean of Lifelong Learning and Professional Practice at Newcastle University, where he also holds a chair in Professional Learning and Leadership and heads up the Educational Leadership Centre in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences.
He leads on the University’s lifelong learning strategy, including the growing (degree) apprenticeships and CPD provision both in Newcastle and the University’s international campuses in Malaysia and Singapore.
With the vision of developing coherent education and skills pathways, René has been leading on developing strategic skills partnerships with regional FE colleges and has brought together key stakeholders for regional projects and external skills funding bids, including the Institute of Electrification and Advanced Sustainable Manufacturing (IESAM), an institute co-funded by UKRI Innovate UK and the university.
René’s scholarly interest in education policy has also led to him taking an active role in contributing to the national debate on the lifelong loan entitlement, Skills Bill and the skills agenda more generally, which has led to numerous engagements with Members of Parliament, Peers in the House of Lords and the Department for Education.
Professor Wendy Larner
President and Vice-Chancellor, Cardiff University
Professor Wendy Larner became President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University on 1 September 2023. Previously she was Provost at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, and Dean of Social Sciences and Law at the University of Bristol. A New Zealander by birth, Wendy is an internationally recognised human geographer. She is a Fellow of Te Apārangi Royal Society, Academy of Social Sciences, Royal Geographical Society, New Zealand Geographical Society, and Learned Society of Wales. Wendy has served as President of Te Apārangi Royal Society and Chair of the Fulbright New Zealand Board. She is currently a member of the UCEA Board, Social Partnership Council for Wales and the Cardiff Capital Regional Growth Board.
Professor Helen Laville
Vice-Chancellor, Oxford Brookes University
Professor Helen Laville is the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University and took up her role on 1 August 2025. Helen was Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Kingston University before joining Oxford Brookes. In her previous role, Helen was the senior leader responsible for Education, Knowledge Exchange and Research, and led the institutional submission to the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework, achieving the only institutional move from Bronze to Gold. Before joining Kingston University, Professor Laville was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) at Manchester Metropolitan University from 2016 until 2021, after a 20-year career at the University of Birmingham culminating as the Head of School of English, Drama and American and Canadian Studies. Helen is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE and a Trustee of Hospice UK.
Professor Christoph Lindner
President and Vice-Chancellor, Royal College of Art
Professor Christoph Lindner is President and Vice-Chancellor of the Royal College of Art, the internationally renowned postgraduate art and design university, where he holds the title of Professor of Visual Culture. He previously served as Dean of the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment at University College London. He is a leading international scholar of cities and visual culture and has published 15 books in the fields of art, architecture, media and urban geography.
Jess Lister
Director (Education), Public First
Jess is Director and Head of Higher Education at public opinion and research consultancy Public First. She works across all aspects of higher education policy in the UK and internationally, specialising in helping institutions understand the relationship between sector reputation, politics, and public opinion. She worked previously in the public affairs team at the University of Cambridge.
Professor Andy Long
Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Northumbria University
Professor Andy Long is Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, a role he took up in August 2022. He leads the University’s vision to deliver world-class teaching, research and innovation, driving growth, academic excellence and partnerships regionally, nationally and internationally. Previously Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nottingham, Andy oversaw strategy, resources and academic leadership. A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, he holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Nottingham and degrees from Warwick and Loughborough. Andy previously served as a Director of the Manufacturing Technology Centre and Chair of Midlands Innovation Executive Management Group. He is currently a member of the North East Combined Authority Business and Economy Board, a member of the UCEA Board, and Chair of Universities for North East England.
Professor Dame Sally Mapstone
Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of St Andrews
Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE is Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, a position she has held since 2016. During her tenure, the University achieved a historic “double first”, topping both the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 and the Guardian University Guide 2024. Nationally and internationally, Professor Mapstone has served as President of Universities UK (2023–25), Convener of Universities Scotland, Vice Chair of the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, and Chair of the International Advisory Board for the University of Helsinki. She is also Lead Member for International at Universities Scotland, Chair of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) board, and a trustee of the Europaeum. Before joining St Andrews, Professor Mapstone spent her career at the University of Oxford, latterly as Pro Vice Chancellor for Education, Professor of Older Scots Literature, and a Fellow of St Hilda’s College.
Alyssa Martin
Senior Alumni Networks Manager, University of Westminster
Alyssa Martin is Senior Alumni Networks Manager in the University of Westminster’s Alumni Relations Office, where she leads the development of global alumni communities with a particular focus on engaging graduates living outside the UK. She works closely with alumni volunteers, industry partners, and colleagues across the University to deliver impactful international engagement initiatives and events. Alyssa also leads the award-winning Westminster Working Cultures programme, one of the University’s flagship short-term mobility initiatives. The programme gives students valuable opportunities to enhance their career readiness by connecting with alumni and partners across a wide range of industries and locations in the UK and internationally, providing insight into global working cultures and diverse career pathways.
Tess McCormick
Development Director, Mansfield College, University of Oxford
Tess has responsibility for Development, alumni engagement, College communications and fundraising at Mansfield College, University of Oxford, which is currently on its way to completing a £100m fundraising campaign. With 25+ years’ experience of fundraising in the arts and higher education sectors, Tess has held senior Development roles at the National Gallery, and Tate in London, and was Head of Development at the University of Oxford's Ashmolean Museum. Tess has also worked as a fundraising consultant for varied non-profits and charities.
Olivia McLaughlin
Chief Operating Officer & University Secretary, University of Chichester
In her role, Olivia contributes to shaping the University’s strategy as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and leads on marketing and recruitment, governance, estates, IT, registry, and communications.
Olivia is an experienced Higher Education leader with a strong track record of delivering strategic and operational excellence, transformational change, and service innovation across the sector. She is recognised for building high-performing teams, driving sustainable growth, and shaping ambitious strategies that put students and staff at the heart of decision-making.
Alongside her professional career, Olivia serves on the boards of two ocean conservation charities, reflecting her deep commitment to sustainability and to linking education with wider societal and environmental impact.
John McWilliams
Director of Civic and Alumni Engagement, University of Bristol
John helped to develop the University of Bristol's civic engagement strategy and now leads the team delivering it, alongside leading the alumni engagement and volunteering team. His work centres on strengthening research, enterprise, and public engagement, with a particular emphasis on creating mutually beneficial collaborations that support the University’s civic mission.
Professor Anand Menon
Director, Public First
Anand Menon is Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at Kings College London. He is a Director at Public First and directs the UK in a Changing Europe project, which has established itself as the leading source of impartial, research based evidence on the UK and its relationship with the EU. He has published numerous academic books and articles, including the Oxford Handbook of the European Union (OUP, 2012), and Brexit and British Politics (Polity 2018). He contributes regularly to both print and broadcast media and has appeared on most major radio and television news outlets including the Today Programme, Newsnight and Question Time. He is a trustee of Full Fact a member of the Strategic Council of the European Policy Centre, a Council member of the European Council on Foreign Relations and an associate fellow of Chatham House.
Professor Rachel Mills CBE
Senior Vice President (Academic), King’s College London
Rachel is the Senior Vice President (Academic) at King’s, leading on academic strategy and delivery in the Vice Chancellor’s senior team. She brings together education and research ambitions across King’s to maximise impact and effectiveness of these efforts. She is responsible for shaping the academic vision and future plans for the University, while supporting external impact and partnerships. In particular, she has oversight of Faculty elements of the Integrated Planning Process and the Campus Futures Programme. She sponsors a range of projects, including King’s Climate & Sustainability and King’s Interdisciplinary Science that are investing to grow the impact of King’s in these key areas.
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli
President, Royal Society of Edinburgh
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli is Distinguished Honorary Professor in the Adam Smith Business School at the University of Glasgow. He currently serves as President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s National Academy. From 2009 to 2025, he was Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow. Prior to this, he served as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University from 2007 to 2009. As an economist, Sir Anton’s research interests focus on monetary economics, central bank independence, fiscal policy, international trade and finance and macroeconomics. He has advised numerous national and international bodies. He is also a Senior Advisor to Public First, and a Strategic Advisor to Cairney & Company.
Steve O’Neil
Head of Public Affairs, University College London
Steve O’Neil is Head of Public Affairs at University College London where he is responsible for building the university’s first ever public affairs team. He previously worked as a senior public affairs consultant for the Society of Occupational Medicine, helped to write the 2015 LibDem Manifesto and currently runs his own politics podcast (Nomansland) which focuses on centerground thinking and avoiding culture wars.
Professor Julie Sanders
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Royal Holloway, University of London
Julie Sanders has been Vice-Chancellor and Principal at Royal Holloway since October 2022. Prior to that she was Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Newcastle University. She has carried out in-country research council work in Australia, Korea, Ireland and Sweden and has held personal research fellowships in Australia and Canada. She is a Professor of English Literature and Drama and has served as a non-executive trustee on the boards of several major UK cultural venues including Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. She also has considerable experience in branch campus and TNE contexts.
Professor Ken Sloan
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Harper Adams University
Professor Ken Sloan has been the Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University since November 2021. Previously, Ken was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Governance), at Monash University, Melbourne. He was Registrar and Chief Operating Officer at University of Warwick; Business Development Director with SERCO; and Special Advisor to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Education Foundation at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Ken has a MA (Hons) from University of Glasgow and an MBA from the Warwick Business School. He is a CPA, a Fellow of the Association of Higher Education Professionals and remains an Adjunct Professor of Monash University, Australia.
Ken currently serves as the Chair of Guild HE and on the Board of UCEA also chairing Finance and Audit Committee. He sits on the Telford Town Fund Board for Levelling Up and is Chair of the Steering Group for Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site. Ken also Chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group Advisory Board for the West Midlands.
Corey Smith
Community Gateway Project Manager, Cardiff University
Corey joined Cardiff University in 2011, completing her MChem Chemistry with a Year in Industry in 2015 and continued with postgraduate studies by undertaking a PhD in the School of Chemistry from 2015-2019. During her studies she became heavily involved in outreach and engagement events promoting science, particularly chemistry, to people of all ages.
From 2019-2021, she was Project Manager for the Trio Sci Cymru programme based between the School of Chemistry and the Widening Participation team. The programme delivered innovative STEM workshops to over 3000 pupils in secondary schools across the South Wales Valleys.
Since 2021, Corey has worked with as Project Manager for Community Gateway, one of Cardiff University's flagship engagement platforms committed to building a long-term partnership with the residents and businesses in Grangetown.
Kate Taylor Tett
Director, Great Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign, Cabinet Office
Kate is Director of the GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign (GREAT), a programme designed to enhance the UK’s international reputation and drive economic growth, by encouraging an international audience to visit, study, trade and invest in the UK. Prior to joining Government Kate held a variety of leadership roles in the private sector, developing award-winning marketing both agency and client-side for organisations including Sainsbury’s, Currys, Heinz and The Metropolitan Police Service.
Kirsty Walker
Vice-President (External), University College London
Kirsty Walker is UCL’s Vice-President, External Engagement. She took up the role in August 2022 following a successful and wide-ranging career in political communications and journalism, including spending nearly 13 years as a political correspondent based in Westminster. During her reporting career, she covered many world-changing events and travelled with successive British Prime Ministers reporting from places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, the White House and the Kremlin. Kirsty is an experienced broadcaster and has appeared as a political commentator on BBC, ITV, Sky and LBC. After leaving journalism, she worked for Westminster-based communications agency iNHouse Communications before joining the civil service as Head of Strategy and Communications, and then Secretariat Director, for the Social Mobility Commission alongside former chair the Rt Hon Alan Milburn. She joined UCL in June 2018 to lead media relations and develop the university’s senior political engagement strategy, including setting up a new public affairs team in 2021.
Professor Evelyn Welch
Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Bristol
Evelyn has been Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol since September 2022.
Evelyn Welch graduated from Harvard University, receiving her PhD from the Warburg Institute, University of London. She was previously Senior Vice-President for Service, People & Planning at King’s College London, where she had previously been Vice-President (Arts and Sciences) and Provost (Arts and Sciences) since 2013. She has taught at University of Essex, Birkbeck College, the Warburg Institute, and held leadership roles at University of Sussex (PVC Teaching and Learning) and Queen Mary, University of London (Dean, Arts and PVC Research and International).
As Professor of Renaissance Studies, she has led major research programmes including ‘The Material Renaissance,’ and ‘Beyond Text: Performances, Sounds, Images’. She was a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator from 2017 to 2022 and has recently published an open-access monograph with Manchester University Press based on this project, ‘Renaissance Skin’. She is the author of numerous other publications, including Fashioning the Early Modern: Creativity and Innovation in Europe, 1500-1800 (OUP 2017) and Shopping in the Renaissance (Yale 2005), which won the Wolfson Prize for History.
Professor Welch has also served as a Trustee of the Victoria & Albert Museum and Chair of Trustees of the Dulwich Picture Gallery. She is currently a Deputy Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol.
Lindsey Wilson
Deputy Director (Communications), University of Sheffield
Lindsey has worked in the higher education sector for over 20 years. She is Deputy Director (Communications) at the University of Sheffield where she leads teams across Media and PR, Public Affairs, Internal and Student Communications.