Overview
New horizons: Changing perspectives on international higher education and research
The International Higher Education Forum (IHEF) 2025 returns on 4-5 June at the University of Birmingham, bringing together over 300 higher education professionals for two days of insight, debate, and networking.
This year’s agenda will feature keynote addresses, multiple plenary sessions, four breakout tracks, and data-driven discussions, all designed to explore the evolving global landscape and its impact on UK universities.
Beyond the engaging sessions, IHEF 2025 offers valuable opportunities to connect with peers across the sector. Day one will conclude with a networking reception, providing the perfect setting to debrief, exchange ideas, and forge new collaborations in a relaxed and informal environment.
We sincerely appreciate the support of our partners, sponsors, and exhibitors, and we invite you to connect with their representatives during the forum.

We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available at our events. Please contact Donna Taibe, Head of Events and Engagement, for more information: [email protected]
Who should come to IHEF 2025?
International higher education forum is open to all and welcomes the experiences and insights from a range of colleagues from across the sector. However, this conference would be particularly useful for staff with responsibilities for international activity across student recruitment, transnational education, research and student mobility – for example, but not limited to:
- Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International)
- Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research
- Deputy Vice Principal/Director/Deputy Director of International/Europe/Recruitment
- Head or Assistant Head of Global Partnerships/Projects
- Director of Research Operations
- Director/Head of International Marketing & Student Recruitment
- Regional Director
- Head or Assistant Head of Study Abroad
- Research Development Manager
Day 1
Day 2
Breakouts
Below, you can explore the breakout sessions section of the IHEF2025 agenda. Once the session allocation is confirmed, it will be displayed in their allocated breakout track in the main agenda tabs for Day 1 and Day 2.
Financial models for sustainable transnational education
Two of the most common axioms about TNE are that:
TNE is a useful tool for universities to diversify their income
TNE requires substantial investment to be done ‘right’ and can take years to break even.
These two statements are obviously in tension with each other, so which is true? This session will feature university leaders and finance experts discussing what institutions’ return on investment expectations should be from their TNE portfolios. What models can institutions use to make their partnerships equitable, impactful but also financially sustainable?
- Professor Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor, SOAS University of London
- Professor Richard Wells, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), Coventry University Group
- Erica Conway, Chief Financial Officer, University of Birmingham
- Leo Jones, Head of Education, HSBC UK Bank plc
Strengthening the UK as a global destination for international students
The session will set the scene on the global landscape for international student recruitment, exploring what current data suggests may lie ahead for the UK. The IDP UK team will also consider developments in other major destination countries and what these trends could mean for the UK’s position, with a particular focus on India.
The latest student sentiment research will be shared to explore perceptions of the UK and lead a discussion on how the UK can reposition itself as the destination of choice for international students. Additionally, the analysis will touch on student views around transnational education (TNE) and highlight emerging expectations in this space. The session will be interactive, with table discussions throughout the afternoon.
- Simon Hume, Senior IQ Consultant, IDP UK
- Ollie Quinn-Palmer, Head of Client Partnerships, IDP UK
- Emma Skelton, Head of Client Success, IDP UK
Navigating New Horizons: Hong Kong and South Korea’s Ambitions in International Education
As the global landscape of international education continues to evolve, Hong Kong and South Korea are positioning themselves as key players in attracting international students. This session will explore the strategic ambitions of these two territory/country, examining their policies, initiatives, and the implications for the UK education sector.
Panellists will analyze Hong Kong and South Korea’s current strategies aimed at increasing the number of international students, to discuss their competitive positioning against traditional MESDC destinations and to look at the implications for UK institutions, including potential partnerships, recruitment strategies, and collaborative opportunities.
- Jazreel Goh, Director Malaysia / Head of Insights and Engagement (East Asia), British Council
- Professor Jun Hyun Hong, Professor, School of Public Service, Chung-Ang University, South Korea
- Amy Ho, Assistant Admissions Director, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
- Professor James Tang, Secretary-General, University Grants Committee, Hong Kong SAR
International graduates – global employability
An international graduate from a UK university has, in theory, a wealth of future job opportunities. But where to find them can be a challenge, whether the student wants to stay in the UK for a while, or return to their own, or a third country. This session brings together careers experts, employers and universities to share challenges and discuss opportunities for how universities, careers staff and employers can work effectively together to improve the job-hunting experience for students.
- Martin Edmondson, Chief Executive Officer, AGCAS
- Gianina Harvey-Brewin, Associate Director, Employability and Apprenticeships, University of Greenwich
Securing Research Excellence: A Research Security Strategy for UK Universities
At this year's IHEF, the Higher Education Export Control Association (HEECA) and the Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) will present a unified, coherent and collaborative Research Security Strategy for the UK HE sector. Developed over several months with sector colleagues, this strategy is designed to harness the potential of UK universities to pursue safe, secure and sustainable activity.
This session offers a unique opportunity for cross-institutional collaboration, where attendees will engage with a range of experts and peers on tackling shared challenges, boosting the sector's resilience and positioning UK universities as global leaders in research security.
- Lorna Wilson, Managing Director of Research and Innovation Services, Durham University
- Christopher Buckland, Security & Commercial Director, Executive Office, Cranfield University & HEECA Co-Chair
- Jennifer Johnson, Director of Research and Innovation, Loughborough University
European R&I: Horizon at the halfway point
We’re now over halfway through the Horizon Europe programme and marking more than a year of the UK’s association. During this time, the UK has made notable progress in re-establishing its presence within the programme. In this session, senior representatives from the UK Government and the European Commission will reflect on what this progress means in practice, celebrating early successes, tackling ongoing challenges and drawing out key lessons for boosting the UK’s participation going forward.
We’ll explore how UK institutions can also seize the opportunity to return to pre-Brexit levels of participation in the European Research Council, the gold standard for research excellence across Europe and beyond, and what it will take to achieve that goal.
Looking ahead, the discussion will also touch on Horizon’s successor, Framework Programme 10 (FP10), and the importance of balancing European competitiveness with the UK’s evolving role in shaping and contributing to future programmes.
Professor Maria Leptin, President, European Research Council
Adam Jackson, Director - International Research and Innovation, DSIT
Cyril Robin-Champigneul, Head of Economic and Trade Affairs at the EU Delegation to the UK, European Union
Professor Judith Lamie, Pro Vice-Chancellor, International, Swansea University
The future of student mobility in the UK - reimagining relationships
Student mobility in the UK faces an uncertain future. With the shape of the Turing Scheme still evolving, questions about Erasmus+ re-association, and growing interest in expanding the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS), the landscape is continuously shifting. This panel will explore what the UK’s relationship with Europe could look like moving forward, especially as the upcoming UK–EU summit may bring youth mobility onto the agenda.
Panellists will consider how a future YMS could support inclusive mobility opportunities, drawing on insights from Gone International and sector experience. This session aims to spark ideas on how we can evolve and improve mobility in a way that is resilient, equitable, and future-facing.
- Mehvish Ashfaq, Director of Global Engagement, Ulster University
- Jude Waites, President, Erasmus Student Network UK
- Dr Faye Taylor, Deputy Director for International Strategy & Partnerships, Department for Education
Responding to humanitarian crises: the art of the possible
The higher education response to recent humanitarian crises, such as the war in Ukraine, has been both impressive and sustained. However, the circumstances and ability of universities to respond will differ according to the nature of the crises, and other factors, like funding and political will. It’s also about what you know and what you don’t. This insight and discussion session, chaired by the UK HE Humanitarian Group will hear from UCAS on the latest data on displaced student applications to the UK HE sector, explore best practice on approaches to crises of these sort and provide an opportunity to discuss and share experiences.
- Professor Nick Gill, Professor of Human Geography, University of Exeter and Universities of Sanctuary
- Aleks Palanac, Head of Sanctuary, University of Leicester
- Haleema Masud, Policy Advisor, UCAS
Outdated policy and unfounded optimism drive British universities to the abyss; Discuss
A European student’s journal critique may be easy to dismiss, but it largely reflects our own concerns, reminding us that the reverberations of our echo chamber travel far and wide. Despite our world class performance on almost every measure, our sector still struggles with its messaging as domestic politics and unprecedented financial challenges continually overshadow its successes.
With it appearing as though the Government is offering universities little more than goodwill- how can the sector and individual institutions within it effectively take control of our own destinies?
This panel will not only provide provocations to think differently but also some suggested solutions for how we can better reveal and build on the many successes of the UK HE sector as we enter a period of unprecedented volatility in in geopolitics and overseas markets.
- Dr David Pilsbury, Chief Development Officer, Oxford International Education Group
- Dr Janet B Ilieva, Founder, Education Insight
- Vincenzo Raimo, International Higher Education Consultant,vincenzo-raimo.com
What makes a good international and TNE student experience?
As the higher education sector navigates ongoing financial pressures, skills shortages and recruitment challenges, ensuring a high-quality, inclusive experience for international and transnational education (TNE) students has never been more critical. This timely breakout session, hosted by GuildHE and chaired by Dr Esther Wilkinson, brings together insights from both institutions and sector agencies to explore innovative approaches to supporting international and TNE students.
The panel will share examples of impactful practice—across on-campus provision, online learning, transnational education (TNE), and global mobility opportunities such as the Turing Scheme—highlighting how institutions are adapting to meet evolving student needs while maintaining a strong international outlook.
Join us to hear practical case studies, exchange ideas, and reflect on how the sector can continue to deliver meaningful, high-value experiences that put international students back at the heart of the conversation.
Dr Esther Wilkinson, Director of Innovation and Learning, Royal Agricultural University
Thomas Wilson, Turing Academic Coordinator & Programme Director BA hons European Theatre Arts, Rose Bruford College
Dr Tabetha Newman, Lead Researcher, Jisc
Global Student Flows are Shifting: What’s at Stake for the UK?
As global competition for international students intensifies and traditional patterns evolve, QS offers fresh, data-driven insights into where demand is rising, where it’s declining, and what this means for UK institutions. Drawing from the newly launched 2025 Global Student Flows report—powered by proprietary HolonIQ by QS data on student search, application, and enrolment behaviours— this session will spotlight emerging source markets, shifting subject preferences, and the mobility trends reshaping global higher education. With a specific focus on the UK, we’ll examine how policy, perception, and macroeconomic forces are influencing inbound student flows—and where new opportunities are emerging. With unparalleled global reach and near real-time data, QS provides a uniquely actionable lens into the future of international student recruitment.
Andy Plant, Director, UK & Ireland, QS
Selma Toohey, Executive Director, UK & Europe, QS
Soft Power in Practice: The Role of Universities in Science Diplomacy
In a challenging global context, universities have an important role to play in supporting international collaboration through science and research. This session explores how institutions are shaping science diplomacy in practice—building strategic partnerships, contributing to policy development, and working across borders to tackle shared challenges.
As part of the Birmingham 125 Global Leaders Dialogue series, this session will highlight how universities are leveraging their global networks and research strengths to enhance soft power and deliver meaningful impact.
- Professor Robin Mason, Pro-Vice-Chancellor International, University of Birmingham
- Prof.dr.ir Hester Bilj, Rector Magnificus, Leiden University
Group bookings
We are offering a group discount for delegates attending from one institution.
Group bookings for UUK/UUKi members:
- For three: £1,201.5
- (10% discount applied to £1,335)
- For four: £1,513
- (15% discount applied to £1,780)
- For five: £1,780
- (20% discount applied to £2,225)
- For more than five: will receive 20% discount
Not sure if you’re a member? Check the list on our webpage.
Group bookings for Not-for-profit:
- For three: £1,471.5
- For four: £1,853
- For five: £2,180
- For more than five: will receive 20% discount
Group bookings for Standard:
- For three: £1,876.5
- For four: £2,363
- For five: £2,780
- For more than five: will receive 20% discount
Please note, this event is exempt from VAT.
Speakers

Maddalaine Ansell
Director Education
Maddalaine Ansell joined the British Council as Director Education in November 2018. Prior to this she was Chief Executive of University Alliance, a mission group representing professional and technical universities. Maddalaine previously worked for 15 years as a Civil Servant with stints in the Treasury, Number 10, the Home Office and the then Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. She began her career as a corporate lawyer, working for both Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Sullivan & Cromwell.
Maddalaine leads the Global Education Strategy and Portfolio working collaboratively with colleagues in British Council offices across the world and with HMG, the Devolved Administrations and the Higher Education Sector.

Mehvish Ashfaq
Director of Global Engagement
Mehvish is Director of Global Engagement at Ulster University, Northern Ireland. She is passionate about fostering inclusive, impactful global experiences for students and staff. The Office for Global Engagement drives the University’s international student recruitment, international partnerships and study abroad activities and leads initiatives to support the international student experience. Prior to joining Ulster, Mehvish held internationally focused roles at UCL, Goldsmiths, and Cardiff University.

Prof.dr.ir. Hester Bilj
Rector Magnificus
Prof.dr.ir. Hester Bijl (1971) is rector magnificus of Leiden University, since 2021, and member of the Executive Board. In this capacity she is, amongst others, responsible for: education, research, full Professor appointments, knowledge security, partnerships LERU and UNA Eruropa, and development of Leiden Science Park.
Hester Bijl is full Professor of Numerical Mathematics at the Mathematical Institute of the Faculty of Science. She is also a member of the Supervisory Board of TNO (Dutch Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) and member of the board of directors of Impuls Zeeland, the Regional Development Agency of the province Zeeland. Bijl is also a board member of the Leiden Bio Science Park Foundation.
Hester Bijl studied Applied Mathematics at Delft University of Technology, where she obtained a PhD in numerical mathematics in 1999. She also obtained a master's degree in English Language and Literature from Leiden University. For her research on applications of computational fluid dynamics in aerospace and wind energy technology, she received, various grants.
Before coming to Leiden in 2016, where she was appointed vice-rector magnificus, Bijl spent 17 years at Delft University of Technology's Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, where she held various positions. Hester Bijl was appointed full professor in 2006 and held the position of dean of the faculty from 2013 until the end of 2016.
She was a member of the first cohort of the Young Academy of the KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts & Sciences) and also served on its board. From 1999 to 2003, she was a visiting researcher at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virgina for several periods.

Christopher Buckland
Security & Commercial Director, Executive Office (& HEECA Co-Chair)
Chris is responsible for the security compliance, risk and governance architectures operating across Cranfield University. With 18 years’ experience of managing and implementing effective security frameworks Chris also Chairs a number of national sector initiatives in collaboration with government and industry, including the Higher Education Export Control Association (HEECA) and the Universities Forum which compromises the top 40 STEM intensive UK HE institutions. In addition, Chris is responsible for various commercial frameworks delivering effective routes to market and technology exploitation pathways for various industry and government organisations.

Erica Conway
Chief Financial Officer
Erica trained as a chartered accountant with a small firm in Chester and worked for C&L and then PwC for 15 years, in audit and advisory roles across a variety of sectors and jurisdictions. She joined the University of Birmingham in 2010 and in 2018 was appointed as Finance Director and member of Executive board. Now CFO, she has led on a number of University wide initiatives and is involved in much beyond Finance. She is currently Chair of BUFDG and engages within and across the sector on Finance and related matters, promoting the opportunities and risks of its members.

Dr Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Damanhuri
Director
Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Damanhuri is the Director of Education Malaysia London, an entity under the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia responsible for overseeing educational matters at the Malaysian High Commission in London. Dr. Hanafi completed his Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Hons.) at UKM in 2006 and later earned a PhD in Molecular Neuroscience from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, in 2012. In his role as Director of Education Malaysia London, Dr. Hanafi has engaged in various initiatives to promote Malaysian higher education and foster collaborations, highlighting his active involvement in strengthening educational ties between the two countries.

Martin Edmondson
CEO
Martin is the CEO of AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services), the membership organisation and professional body for university careers and employability professionals across the UK and Ireland. Prior to AGCAS Martin was founder and Managing Director of Gradcore, and has 20+ years’ experience working across graduate recruitment and Higher Education, His work has included leading global graduate schemes for employers, delivering employability performance improvement in universities, and working with local and national governments on graduate employment initiatives and policy. Martin served as a Director of the Institute for Student Employers, and is a Fellow of the National Institute of Career Education and Counselling, and the RSA.

Professor Rita Floyd
Professor of International Security and Ethics and Co-Editor in Chief of International Affairs, a Chatham House journal
Rita Floyd is Professor of International Security and Ethics and the University of Birmingham and co-editor in chief of International Affairs, a Chatham House journal. Dr Floyd is the author of four books, including Teaching Security Studies published by Edward Elgar Publishers in April 2025.
Professor Nick Gill
Professor of Human Geography
Nick is a political geography and long-standing member of the Universities of Sanctuary national steering group. He is also a member of the UK HE humanitarian working group.

Jazreel Goh
Director Malaysia / Head of Insights and Engagement (East Asia)
Jazreel joined the British Council in 2004 where she led on the UK’s largest education marketing and partnership initiatives in China. She set up the British Council’s Education Intelligence Unit – the first e-marketing platform dedicated to international education research for the industry globally. In 2013, she launched the UK’s flagship outward mobility programme - Generation UK which led to a 104% growth in British students to China. The UK became one of the largest providers of transnational education in China and the first country to initiate a multi-lateral education collaboration platform bringing together institutional partners from UK, China, Sub-Saharan Africa and ASEAN countries on co-funded projects during her tenure. She is currently Director Malaysia for the British Council.

Professor Adam Habib
Vice-Chancellor
Professor Adam Habib is the Vice-Chancellor of SOAS University of London, former 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 Natal. A Professor of Political Science, Habib 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. Habib co-founded the African Research Universities Alliance, is an American Academy of Arts and Sciences member, and fellow of the African Academy of Science and Academy of Science of South Africa.

Gianina Harvey-Brewin
Associate Director, Employability and Apprenticeships
Gianina is a senior leader in employability and apprenticeships with a strong track record of designing inclusive careers strategies that work for diverse student groups, including international cohorts. As a Board Director at the Institute of Student Employers and a university lead for careers and work-based learning, she brings deep insight into employer engagement, skills development, and the global graduate landscape. Passionate about bridging the gap between student experience and graduate outcomes, she is particularly focused on creating equitable and effective career pathways for all students as they navigate an increasingly complex employment landscape.

Amy Ho
Assistant Admissions Director
Amy Ho serves as the Assistant Admissions Director in the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where she oversees international undergraduate admissions. With over 15 years of experience in higher education administration, she specializes in admissions processes, student recruitment, and programme administration.
Amy’s expertise encompasses undergraduate and postgraduate admissions, recruitment strategies, and support for international students. She holds a BA in English Language and Literature and an MA in Communications from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), and an MSocSc in Counselling from The University of Hong Kong (HKU).

Professor Dr Jun Hyun Hong
Professor
Dr. Jun Hyun Hong is Professor of School of Public Service, Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Korea. Besides university positions, he has served as members of Presidential Committees including National Education Commission and policy advisors to various central government ministries including Ministry of Education and Ministry of Interior & Safety as well as various local governments. He was awarded Presidents Service Merit Medal, Prime Ministers Citation, and Minister of the Interior & Safety Citation. He was also selected one of the Outstanding Research Performance Awardees by Ministry of Education and by Korea Research Foundation and is one of the research member who drafted the 300K policy.

Simon Hume
Senior IQ Consultant
Simon has a deep understanding of the challenges clients face having joined IDP from his role as the Head of Insight and CRM at the University of Hertfordshire. Simon has over 15 years’ experience in research consultancy and is expert in translating data into meaningful strategic recommendations. As Senior IQ Consultant, he leads the overall management of consultancy projects for institutions within the UK and North. America

Dr Janet B Ilieva
Founder
Janet Ilieva is the founder and director of Education Insight, a research consultancy specialising in international higher education. Her expertise focuses on global student mobility, university partnerships, national policies for global engagement and sustainable development.
Janet began her career as a university lecturer in economics. In 2004, she joined the British Council to lead its higher education research and market intelligence. In 2013, she became Head of the HEFCE Observatory at the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Since founding Education Insight in 2015, she has provided strategic research and consultancy to universities, government departments, and international organisations across Europe and Asia.

Adam Jackson
Director – International Research and Innovation
Adam Jackson is Director – International Research and Innovation in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). He is a development economist by background, having in his 20s worked as an economic adviser to the Ministry of Finance in Sierra Leone, and for the UK’s Department for International Development in Bangladesh. He subsequently worked in HM Treasury, the Department for Exiting the European Union and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Currently, he leads the Directorate that develops our international science partnerships, research establishments and infrastructures, research security, research talent, and the government’s work with the National Academies.

Jennifer Johnson
Director of Research and Innovation
Jennifer is Director of the Research and Innovation Office at Loughborough University with responsibility for a wide range of research & innovation strategy, policy and operational functions including research security.
Jennifer was Chair of the Association for Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) in the UK from 2020-23 and continues to work with ARMA on matters of research security. Jennifer regularly presents at international events and works with international groups on projects relating to research security. She has been Principal Investigator on two Research England and two FCDO funded projects regarding trusted research and due diligence including ‘Complex Collaborations’ – a project which made recommendations for UK academia regarding how to operatlionalise our response to research security threats.
Jennifer is committed to the professionalisation and recognition of the research management and administration sector, and to improving the way in which we work together across the sector, locally, nationally and globally. Jennifer is Chair of the International Network of Research Management Societies (INORMS) Working Group and a member of INORMS Council.

Leo Jones
Head of Education
Leo leads the HSBC UK Education, Charity and Not for Profit Sector teams working with the HSBC network and externally to support strategy, insight, finance and sustainability. The international footprint of HSBC UK Bank plc means Leo and his team are often involved in serving the international banking requirements of the Education sector.

Catriona Laing, CB
SRO, Soft Power Hub
British diplomat and Senior Responsible Officer for Soft Power at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Catriona’s early career was as a development economist with the UK government. She served as the UK alternate director at the European Investment Bank and as one of two deputies in Tony Blair’s Strategy Unit.
At the Foreign Office, Catriona led the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan and then served as British Ambassador to Zimbabwe. She was the British High Commissioner to Nigeria until 2023.
After her tenure in Nigeria, Catriona took a leave of absence to run the United Nations Mission in Somalia, one of the UN’s most complex and largest missions,
Currently, she is leading a project for the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, focusing on harnessing the UK’s soft power assets supporting foreign policy objectives.

Professor Judith Lamie
Pro Vice-Chancellor, International
Professor Lamie is Pro-Vice-Chancellor International at Swansea University. Professor Lamie has spent over 30 years in HE and held several senior executive positions at UK universities. Professor Lamie has published and presented widely in the fields of applied linguistics, change management and TNE. Professor Lamie’s latest book, with Chris Hill, ‘The Evolving Nature of Universities: What Shapes and Influences Identity in International Higher Education’, is now available. The book explores the very nature of a university – where does it sit at home and abroad – and uses international case studies to discuss growth, sustainability and risk as universities navigate their role, value and purpose.

Professor Maria Leptin
President of the European Research Council
Maria Leptin is the President of the European Research Council.
After receiving a PhD at the University of Heidelberg, postdoctoral research in the UK and leading a research group in Germany, Maria Leptin became a professor at the Institute of Genetics, University of Cologne and Director of EMBO.
Leptin is an elected member of EMBO, the Academia Europaea and the German National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina), Honorary Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Foreign Member of the Royal Society and international member of the US National Academy of Sciences.

Rachel MacSween
Director of Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement at IDP UK
Rachel is the Director of Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement at IDP in the UK. Her role is to work with university partners on their student recruitment ambitions, as well as leading on government and sector stakeholder management, B2B Marketing and Global Communications. Prior to her joining IDP in early 2022, Rachel held roles as Director of International at the University of York in the UK, Head of Recruitment at University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and roles with Navitas for seven years in both Edinburgh and Melbourne. Rachel is passionate about ensuring successful outcomes for her clients, sharing IDP’s unique data sets to help improve the policy environment in the UK and working with a wider group of colleagues in the sector to constantly improve the applicant experience.

Christopher Jibreel Maiyaki
Deputy Executive Secretary, Administration
Mr Christopher Jibreel Maiyaki is the Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration) of Nigeria’s National Universities Commission (NUC). He holds a B.Sc. in International Relations from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and an M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos. With over three decades in public service, he has played a key role in higher education management, international collaborations, and policy development. Rising through the ranks at NUC, he has championed initiatives on quality assurance, open distance learning, and academic standards. A seasoned administrator, Mr. Maiyaki is widely travelled, multilingual, and passionate about Nigeria's education reform and institutional development.

Professor Robin Mason
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International)
Professor Robin Mason has been Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International) at the University of Birmingham since March 2016. A member of the University’s executive, he has responsibility for all aspects of the University’s global engagement. He moved to Birmingham after seven years at the University of Exeter, where he was Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Business School. He had previously been the Eric Roll Professor of Economics and Head of Economics at the University of Southampton. He graduated from the University of Cambridge in Natural Sciences; he returned to Cambridge to complete his PhD in Economics. He is the Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK; a Governor of the British Institute of Florence; and a decision-making Member of the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Haleema Masud
Policy Advisor
Haleema has been a Policy Adviser at UCAS since 2022. In this role, she has produced research and insights to shape the understanding of international students in the UK, including her latest report, ‘Global Insights: what are the experiences of Chinese students in the UK’. As a former international student herself, Haleema has experienced the full spectrum of benefits international study offers. She is also a strong advocate of the individuality of international students and hopes to continue demonstrating that through her work.

Dr Pankaj Mittal
Secretary General
Dr (Mrs) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is the second women Secretary General of the Association in its 100 years of existence. She has been serving the higher education sector for more than 03 decades at senior positions at the University Grants Commission of India. She is also the Chief Commissioner of Guides of Bharat Scouts and Guides. Dr. (Mrs) Pankaj Mittal is a Fulbright Scholar and has been a topper in MSc and PhD in Agricultural Statistics from IARI, New Delhi. Dr Mittal has also served as the first regular Vice Chancellor of Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Haryana, the first rural women university of North India for two terms. Dr Mittal is also the recipient of many Awards and Honours.

Dr Tabetha Newman
Managing Director
Tabetha has led Timmus Research for 20+ years. A specialist in social research and digital capabilities at both an individual and organisational level, she’s driven Jisc’s research on international student digital experience and authored their recent report on digital transformation in higher education. She has worked as part of a EU team to design a tool to assess school digital maturity, which to date has been used by over five million people in 80+ countries. She is currently working with Jisc and 21 UK HE providers to investigate the digital experiences and expectations of transnational education students and staff.

Aleks Palanac
Head of Sanctuary
Aleks Palanac is Head of Sanctuary at the University of Leicester. She has been heavily involved in developing University of Sanctuary work at her institution and across the UK HE sector, particularly by widening participation to HE for refugee-background students through trauma-informed English language provision (such as via the innovative RefugEAP Programme and trauma training for ELT practitioners). She also convenes the RefugEAP Network, and, more recently, has been exploring ways in which the UK HE sector can best provide support to students, academics and universities from Gaza.
Dr David Pilsbury
Chief Development Officer
David was previously Deputy Vice Chancellor, International at Coventry University - responsible for all international activities including joint ventures, recruitment, collaborative delivery, curriculum internationalization, mobility and enhancement.
He implemented an ambitious agenda involving a more than 6-fold increase in recruitment; establishing the UK’s largest overseas collaborative delivery programme ~20,000 students in 27 countries; and developing the world’s largest international enhancement programme which has ranked No.1 for overseas mobility since records began.

Andy Plant
Director, UK & Ireland
Andy worked at 3 UK universities in international student recruitment and partnership roles for 16 years before joining QS in 2021. He leads the UK & Ireland client facing team with particular expertise on optimising the student journey on behalf of QS's partners and believes that every student deserves personalised and premium support during their daunting admissions journey. He often presents at international conferences about “Admissues” (admissions issues) and other topical subjects facing international higher education.

Ollie Quinn-Palmer
Head of Client Partnerships
Oliver Quinn Palmer is Head of Client Partnerships at IDP UK and works across intelligence, data consultancy, marketing and student recruitment. Ollie leads IDP UK’s Client Partnership team to work closely with UK and Irish universities to develop and implement sustainable recruitment strategies. Ollie has been at IDP for nine years, having previously worked for The Independent and The Guardian.

Vincenzo Raimo
International Higher Education Consultant
Enzo helps universities spot the gap between what their international strategies say and what they actually want. Then he helps them build plans that reflect reality, not just ambition. Fond of clarity, impact, and the occasional unpopular truth.

Professor Colin Riordan
Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer
Professor Colin Riordan has served as ACU's Secretary General and Chief Executive since September 2023. Professor Riordan holds a PhD in German Literature and held academic positions at Swansea University (UK) and Newcastle University (UK), where he was appointed Head of the School of Modern Languages in 2001, Faculty Dean of Postgraduate Studies in 2004, and Pro Vice-Chancellor and Provost of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in 2005. In October 2007, he became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Essex (UK), before moving to Cardiff University (UK) in 2012, where he served as President and Vice Chancellor until August 2023.

Cyril Robin-Champigneul
Head of Economic and Trade Affairs at the EU Delegation to the UK
Cyril heads the Economic and Trade Section and is the Science Counsellor at the EU Delegation to the UK.
Cyril previously worked on European R&I programmes and policies. He was inter alia a member of the private office of the Commissioner for Research (2002-2004); and lead for policy initiatives related to R&D investment, support to innovation and the European Research Area. He also headed the regional Representation of the European Commission in France (Marseilles) from 2011 to 2015. Cyril joined the European Commission in 1998 after graduating from the Institut d’Études Politiques (Paris) and working as parliamentary assistant to an MEP.

Luke Sheehy
CEO
Mr Luke Sheehy commenced as the CEO of Universities Australia in February 2024. He is a highly skilled leader with more than 20 years’ experience shaping the agenda of higher education. Prior to UA, Mr Sheehy led the Australian Technology Network of Universities for almost five years. He has also held key education roles in government, worked as an education strategy consultant for the Asian Development Bank and held senior management roles at Swinburne University.

Emma Skelton
Head of Client Success
Emma Skelton is currently Head of Client Success, UK and Europe at IDP Connect. Her team is responsible for ensuring UK and Ireland institutions achieve the best results across IDP’s products and services. Prior to her role at IDP, Emma worked at the British Council where she worked with the UK parliament and sector bodies on international education issues, including mobility and student recruitment.

Minister Jacqui Smith
Minister for Skills & Minister for Women & Equalities
Minister Jacqui Smith is a British Labour politician and life peer. Before beginning her career in politics, Minister Smith was an Economics teacher. She has held several key government positions including Minister for Schools before becoming the first female Home Secretary under Gordon Brown. In 2024, she was made Minister of State for Skills and, in 2025, she was also made Minister of State for Women and Equalities.

Professor Sir Steve Smith
UK Government International Education Champion and UK Government Special Representative to Saudi Arabia for Education
Professor Sir Steve Smith is the UK Government International Education Champion. He was previously Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter from 2002-2020. In November 2020 he was also appointed as the UK Government’s Special Representative to Saudi Arabia for Education.
Sir Steve served as President of the world academic body in his field (the International Studies Association) from 2003-2004.
Sir Steve was President of Universities UK (UUK) from 2009-2011; Chair of the UCAS Board from 2013 – 2019 ; Board member of the Russell Group (2012-2020); Chair of UUK's International Policy Network and Chair of UUK's International Strategic Advisory Board (2015-2020); Member of the UUK Board (2006-2020). He is currently a Fulbright Commissioner, a Trustee of the Education and Employers Task Force, a Non-Executive Director of Unite Students, Chair of the Liveable Exeter Place Board, and a Patron of Exeter College. From 2007 until 2010, he led for higher education on the Prime Minister’s National Council of Excellence in Education. Sir Steve was knighted in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to higher education locally and nationally.

Professor James Tang
Secretary-General
Professor Tang has been the Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee since 2018. He has extensive experience in academic leadership and management at local and overseas higher education institutions. He was Dean and Professor of Political Science at the School of Social Sciences and Special Adviser to the President on Greater China affairs at Singapore Management University. Before that, he served at the University of Hong Kong as Head of the Department of Politics and Public Administration, as well as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Over the years, he also held visiting appointments at renowned universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and on the Mainland.

Professor Adam Tickell
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Adam is Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Birmingham. Prior to this he served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Transfer), and then Provost, at Birmingham and has also worked in leadership roles at the University of Bristol and Royal Holloway, University of London.
Adam trained as an economic geographer at the University of Manchester.
He is on the board of Universities UK and USS, and has served on a wide range of public bodies and charity boards. He was appointed as a non-executive director at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in November 2024.

Selma Toohey
Executive Director, UK & Europe
Selma leads a dynamic team of higher education specialists at QS, partnering with universities across the UK and Europe on admissions, student recruitment, transnational education (TNE), and reputation strategy. With a background spanning UK and US institutions—and professional experience in Nigeria—Selma brings a truly global perspective to her work. As a former international student, she is passionate about making access to UK higher education more equitable and inclusive. Her mission is to help universities become more impactful and student-centered, while empowering learners to thrive and succeed across borders.

Jessica Turner
CEO
Jessica Turner is the Chief Executive Officer at QS Quacquarelli Symonds. Under her stewardship, QS – a global leader in higher education insights and solutions for over 30 years – has achieved strong organic growth augmented by strategic acquisitions. Jessica leads an 800+ global team focused on the QS mission: To empower motivated people anywhere in the world to fulfil their potential through educational achievement, international mobility, and career development. She is a graduate of the University of Sydney and has a master’s from the Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to QS, she served in senior roles at Clarivate Analytics and Thomson Reuters.

Lord Patrick Vallance
Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation
Lord Vallance was appointed Minister of State (Minister for Science) on 5 July 2024.
He was previously Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) from April 2018 to April 2023. He was also National Technology Adviser (NTA) and Head of the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession.
Lord Vallance was President, R&D at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) from 2012 until 2017. During his period as head of R&D, many new medicines were approved for use worldwide, for diseases ranging from cancer and rare diseases in children, to asthma and HIV.
Prior to joining GSK, he was a clinical academic, Professor of Medicine and led the Division of Medicine at UCL. His research spanned from work on medicinal chemistry and structural biology, through to cellular work, studies in humans and use of large electronic health record databases.

Jude Waites
President
Jude is President of ESN UK - a Scottish charity that supports international students across 14 institutions in the UK, and part of the Erasmus Student Network which spans 44 countries across Europe and beyond. As President, Jude leads on the Charity’s external representation, policy work, and oversees the broader work of their Board. Having been involved in the organisation for the last three years in a policy capacity, he co-wrote their International Student Perspective UK research project, has sat on Taith’s advisory committee, and worked closely with the EU Delegation to the UK on developing the future of youth mobility.

Professor Richard Wells
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)
Richard is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) for the Coventry University Group. He overseas all the Group’s global activity including all aspects of student recruitment, transnational education and its network of global hubs. He has established major academic partnerships together with branch and branded campuses in several areas of the world including the Gulf, South East Asia, South and East Asia and China. He holds a number of advisory roles to both public and private organisations and is a long term advisor to the European Union.

Dr Ether Wilkinson
Director of Innovation and Learning
Esther joined the RAU in early 2023 after spending most of her 25 year career in sector agencies in higher education and research.
Esther spent nine years as Head of International at Jisc, the UK agency for digital, data and technology for higher and further education where she led international activities, partnerships and developed an international strategy.
Prior to this, Esther worked in various roles in higher education, previously as Assistant Director in the Universities UK International Unit delivering UK Government and overseas programmes. Esther also delivered a number of projects in the UK Research Councils for over 13 years; these included £multi-million Government longitudinal studies across the medical and social sciences, and as part of the team establishing the RCUK Strategy Unit (precursor to UK Research and Innovation). Other roles included working on the Beagle2 Mission to Mars at the Open University as ‘Planetary Protection Officer’ and a brief spell as a Police Officer in City of London Police.
She has a First Class BSc (Hons), Diploma of Imperial College, and PhD in Chemistry from Imperial College.
As Director of Innovation and Learning, Esther leads professional services in core areas which support the academic endeavour at the University, including research, knowledge exchange, international and partnerships, laboratories, library and learning technology support.

Lorna Wilson
Managing Director of Research and Innovation Services
Lorna is Managing Director of Research and Innovation Services at Durham University, and Chair of the Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) in the UK. Lorna joined Durham in 2017 as Head of Research Development, and in 2021 took on the role of Director of Research Development and Operations, becoming MD in January 2024. Previously to joining Durham she worked at Newcastle University in a number of roles. She is a member of DSIT’s Independent Advisory Board on Research Security, the Higher Education Security Forum, the Horizons Institute Advisory Board, was previously a member of UKRI’s Research Organisation Consultation Group, ROCG (2019-2023), and is co-founder and previous co-chair of Women@DU. She represents the ARMA community on a number of policy groups and sector organisations on key topics such as (for example) research security, reducing research bureaucracy, and co-production. She is also currently a member of Council for the International Network of Research Management Societies (INORMs).

Thomas Wilson
Turing Academic Coordinator & Programme Director BA hons European Theatre Arts
Thomas Wilson is the academic lead for the Turing Scheme at Rose Bruford College, and course leader of the college’s BA (Hons) European Theatre Arts degree. His teaching/research interests include Theatrical Biomechanics, devised/physical theatres, practical artistic research and performer training. In his role as course leader, he manages the integrated international mobilities to partner HEIs and theatre companies that all ETA students undertake in their second year. He is an Associate Editor (Training Grounds) at the Theatre, Dance and Performance Training Journal.

Lord Jonny Oates
Chief Executive
Lord Jonny Oates is Chief Executive of United Against Malnutrition and Hunger, which campaigns on global malnutrition and hunger. Jonny is a member of the House of Lords and is Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Africa. During the Coalition Government (2010-2015), he was Chief of Staff to the Deputy Prime Minister, and Deputy Director of Communications in 10 Downing Street. From 1999-2001 he worked in the South African Parliament and in the late 1980s taught in a rural secondary school in Zimbabwe. His memoir, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, was published in October 2020.
Audience
International Higher Education Forum 2025 welcomes academics and professionals passionate about international higher education. Below, you can explore the job titles and organisations that attended the previous edition.