Improving equality in higher education 2025

Professor Egbu joined Leeds Trinity University as Vice-Chancellor on 1 November 2020.   He leads the University on all strategic matters; ensuring financial sustainability to allow the delivery of the University's Strategic Plan, including the overall vision and values of the University.  He represents the University externally at various groups including Universities UK (UUK), Million Plus, the Cathedral's Group of Universities, University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC), Yorkshire Universities, and Leeds Learning Alliance (LLA).   He works closely with industry and professional bodies, especially in the Built Environment sector, and with local communities. He was formerly the President of The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB – 2019/2020).  He was admitted to the Worshipful Company of Constructors in May 2017 and received the Freedom of the City of London in 2017. He was formerly Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education & Experience, University of East London), and Dean of School of the Built Environment & Architecture (London South Bank University).

Professor Egbu’s research interests focus on project management, construction management, knowledge management, sustainable development, social justice, equality, diversity and inclusion; subjects about which he has written 15 books and contributed to more than 350 publications in various international journals and conferences. He has supervised over 30 PhD students and examined over 100 PhD candidates world-wide. In addition, he has led many construction industry commissions and working groups and acted as an external examiner to many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in universities all over the world.

David is responsible at Advance HE 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 key initiatives such as the development of our equality charters and recent work on free speech and academic freedom.

Sasha has been Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sussex since August 2022. Previously, she was UCL’s first Pro-Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences. Before that, Professor Roseneil was Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Essex, and held leadership positions at Birkbeck, University of London and the University of Leeds.

Over more than 30 years as an academic, Professor Roseneil has carried out pioneering research on intimate relationships, citizenship, and social movements. Originally trained as a sociologist, and later as a group analyst and psychotherapist, she has played a leading role in establishing the interdisciplinary fields of Gender Studies and Psychosocial Studies. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She is also a member of the Institute of Group Analysis and a Founding Scholar of the British Psychoanalytic Council.

Professor Symeon Dagkas took up his post as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chichester in November 2024. He is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the University, providing an unparalleled student experience and delivering the highest quality teaching.

Over his career, Professor Dagkas has held multiple senior leadership roles at various institutions, including those within the Russell Group and Post-92 universities.

He joined the University of Chichester from St Mary’s University, where he was Provost and Chief Academic Officer, overseeing all academic activities, and recruitment, admissions and international.

With a PhD from Exeter University, he is an active researcher and has been published extensively on all facets of sport, inclusion, exercise, and health.

Professor Dagkas is Chair of the Academic Board and Honorary Awards Committee and is a member of the Board of Governors.

Currently serving as Deputy Director of the Centre for Equity and Inclusion at London Metropolitan University, Sharon brings together creative design thinking, strategic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her interdisciplinary expertise spans beauty, fashion, and higher education—driven by a belief in transformational change through inclusive practice.

With a background in visual design and beauty practice, Sharon has led sector-shaping work across undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum development, embedding inclusive pedagogy and assessment to support students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. She is also an experienced public speaker, writer, and changemaker who bridges the creative industries and academia.

As Co-Founder and Chair of Fashion and the Arts Creating Equity (FACE), she leads national initiatives to amplify Black and Brown voices in fashion and creative education. This work has been recognised through her inclusion in the Vogue Business 100 Innovators list as a 2023 Champion of Change.

Sharon has also held advisory and trustee roles across cultural and advocacy organisations—including as Co-Chair of the British Beauty Council’s DEI Committee, Trustee of Tract and Touch, and current Board Member of Southampton Forward—supporting systems-level change in beauty, education, and place-making.

Professor Karen Salt specializes in collective governance, systems transformation and sustainable change. She is currently Professor of Culture, Place and Communities at Manchester Metropolitan University where she works across faculties to harness the power of place-based research and embed equitable community/university partnerships.

As a sector leader and social scientist, Salt has led large research teams and overseen large research clusters. She previously directed the Centre for Research in Race and Rights and was the inaugural director of the first Black Studies PhD programme in Europe (Both at the University of Nottingham). Nearly all of her current and past research projects embody her commitment to re-imagining who can engage in research and contribute to knowledge-production. She has recently returned to academia after a 5-year stint in UKRI strategy.

In addition to her sector leadership, Salt is a proud Trustee of the Williamson Trust, a charity that promotes the health of individuals, through supporting healthy environments, healthy communities and healthy foods. She is also a Board member of Brixton House Theatre, a cultural venue in South London with a commitment to empower undervalued, unheard, and excluded communities through its creative and cultural spaces. An avid reader, Salt advocates for the power and importance of libraries to communities.

With over 30 years of experience in community development, inclusive policy-making and novel solutions, Salt continues to work closely with leaders across Government, academia, civil society and industry and contributes to numerous international initiatives focused on empowering communities.

Alice became the CEO in March 2024 following her role as Executive Director from January 2023 and having previously served as an elected Director for four years.

The role of Executive Director is a strategic role concerned with the growth of NADP as an organisation, the support of its membership and the representation of the members’ interests across the sector. Alice represents NADP in many ways including the OIA Disability Experts Panel, the LINK network and on the Disabled Students Commitment Sector Groups.

Before joining the NADP staff team, Alice was the Operations Manager at Bournemouth University where she managed the disability service and in house NMH provision. Prior to that, she was the Head of Student Support at Goldsmiths University, overseeing the Disability, Wellbeing, Chaplaincy and Counselling Service. Alice also has extensive experience across the sector working for providers and in the delivery of study skills and assistive technology training.

Prior to working in the field of disability in Higher Education she worked for an MP as a Senior Caseworker with a specialist interest in disability and immigration. Alice also worked as a Family Law Caseworker and undertook pro bono work at a London Law Centre including cases regarding disability discrimination and housing. Alice has also worked in the NGO sector with a passion for training students in Non-Violent Direct Action and working with refugee communities internationally on human rights issues.

Vivienne Stern took up the role of UUK Chief Executive in September 2022. She was previously the Director of Universities UK International (UUKi) which represents UK universities around the world and works to enable them to flourish internationally. 

Vivienne has over 20 years’ experience of working in higher education policy and politics at national and international level. She is a member of the GREAT Private Sector Council; a Trustee of the Council for At Risk Academics; and is a member of the Soft Power Council. She was awarded an MBE for Services to International Education in the New Years’ Honours List 2022.  In 2021 Vivienne received the European Association of International Educators’ “Vision and Leadership” award and the PIEoneer “Outstanding Contribution to the Industry” award. 

Vivienne is a graduate of the University of Cambridge, where she studied English Literature.

Jess Lister is Director and Head of Higher Education at Public First, a global public opinion and policy consultancy, where she leads the firms work with universities and higher education providers in the UK and overseas. She previously worked as policy and public affairs advisor at the University of Cambridge.

Richard Brabner was appointed Executive Chair of the UPP Foundation in 2023. This followed seven years leading the Foundation operationally as its Director since it was established in 2016. As the Executive Chair, Richard leads the Trustee Board as it develops and implements the Foundation’s strategy; determines it funding priorities, thought leadership initiatives, and convening role. Since 2021 Richard has also been the Director of ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) at UPP – leading, creating and communicating UPP’s strategy and roadmap for ESG. Richard joined UPP in 2015 as Business Development Manager and his responsibilities then included setting up the UPP Foundation.

Prior to joining UPP, he was Head of Policy at the University of Hertfordshire, advising the Vice-Chancellor and senior management team and leading the University’s public affairs function. He graduated from the University of Essex in 2007 and holds an MRes in Public Policy and Management from Birkbeck, University of London.

Sharon Perera is head of academic and digital skills at the University of Greenwich, helping students succeed through inclusive learning, innovative teaching, and digital transformation. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education, she’s passionate about making learning accessible and meaningful for everyone. Her work has earned national and international recognition, including awards for teaching excellence and academic integrity.

Dr Pickering is the current Associate Director of Evaluation at the University of Greenwich, a role he started in May 2024. Before this, he worked at Sheffield Hallam University as a lecturer in Research and Evaluation. 

Debby Hsieh has been in business development roles within the UK higher education sector for over 6 years helping students and institutions to shape a better future. Originally from Taiwan, and having been an international student at University College London, has first-hand experience of how higher education can impact a person's life.

Irene's work has always centred on one belief: everyone deserves to feel they belong, not just be included.

She has spent the past decade helping organisations across Health, housing, and professional services to build cultures where people feel seen, heard and supported. From shaping inclusion strategies to advising on governance and behaviour change, she works at the intersection of people, leadership and systems.

Today, she combines executive coaching with strategic people and culture development, supporting senior leaders and teams to lead with clarity, navigate complexity and grow cultures that reflect their values, spanning the UK, Ireland and EMEA. This work is underpinned by cultural intelligence, local governance, and a practical understanding of what it takes to embed inclusion in everyday systems, not as a standalone task but as a way of working.

As a Non-Executive Director at Goldsmiths University, she contributes to board-level decisions on people strategy, talent development and student experience, with a focus on enabling graduates from all backgrounds to step into their futures with confidence.
 

Myles joined the PLMR Education Practice as a Senior Account Manager in 2024, following an extensive period of working in higher education policy. Prior to joining PLMR, Myles worked as a Senior Policy Adviser at Advance HE, a higher education sector agency, where he led on policy and public affairs, supporting the organisation to navigate external political and regulatory environments. Myles was also a Policy Adviser at Universities UK for several years where he delivered the organisation’s work on mental health, access and participation, social mobility, and knowledge exchange policy. Myles uses his experience in policy and public affairs to support a range of clients from across the education sector.

Alongside work, Myles is a competitive swimmer for a London-based aquatics club. He graduated from the University of Sheffield with a BA (Hons) in History in 2018, and an MA in International Relations in 2019.

Chris is an experienced academic with a demonstrated history of working in Higher Education teaching nurse education with a specialism in learning/intellectual disabilities, complex needs, behaviours seen as challenging, and mental health in CAMHS.

Chris’s research interests lie in the experiences of students from the Global South in Higher Education, families from minority communities when accessing health and social care. Currently Chris is actively pursuing opportunities concerned with reducing the awarding gap in Higher Education, equality and diversity as well as cultural competency.