Political Affairs in higher education 2024

Currently a Director at Shearwater Global, Chris is a political advisor with over a decade’s experience of working in and around Westminster. He began his career in 2011 working for a backbench Lib Dem MP in Coalition before moving to Party Headquarters as Chief of Staff to Party President Baroness Brinton from 2015-18.

A parliamentary candidate at the 2017 general election, Chris has served on a number of policy working groups, including on Democracy and Public Debate and the Future of Work. Until recently he also served as Vice-Chair of the party's Federal Conference Committee.

I lead on our policy work on innovation, knowledge exchange, research commercialisation, local growth and enterprise by researching evidence, developing proposals, engaging with members and lobbying officials.

I worked in a university for seven years on quality assurance and teaching and learning and in GuildHE for five years working on human resource, leadership and management and quality issues. I studied combined social sciences at university.

I enjoy working in a sector that is full of intelligent, supportive and committed individuals who genuinely want to support students and achieve great things. I especially like working on collaborative projects that bring together universities and other partners such as employers and charities that enhance the impact and value of what universities do.

Guy leads Focaldata's Political and Social research team. He has previously worked as a Special Adviser in 10 Downing Street and the Department for Education, run data operations for the 2021 Canadian federal election campaign, and over the last decade has worked across think-tanks, legislatures, and governments in three countries.

Harriet is a Political Affairs Manager within the Communications Group at UUK. She coordinates UUK’s engagement with MPs, Peers, advisors and other stakeholders including think tanks. On top of UUK’s day-to-day political activities, Harriet provides the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary University Group. Harriet works across a number of UUK’s policy areas, but has a particular focus on access, admissions, health and skills.

Harry Anderson is Deputy Director for Policy and Global Engagement at Universities UK International (UUKi), the body which represents the UK’s higher education sector and supports universities with their global engagement. As Deputy Director, Harry oversees UUKi’s work across a range of policy areas, including Global Research & Innovation, International Mobility, and Transnational Education (TNE). Prior to his current role, Harry led UUK’s policy work related to immigration as well as free speech and academic freedom, and previously worked on education and skills policy for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

James Frayne is a founding partner of policy research agency Public First. James has been running opinion research projects for more than twenty years. He has a particular interest in the working-class swing voters of the Midlands and North of England. Before setting up Public First in 2016, James had a range of roles in the political and corporate worlds, in both London and New York City. He was Director of Communications for the Department for Education when the Department was launching its free schools and academy programmes.  

Jovan works as Head of Analysis in UUK’s Policy group, overseeing strategic analysis to support delivery of UUK policy objectives.

During his time at UUK he has worked across a range of policy areas including the impact of funding reforms on students and higher education providers, financial sustainability of universities, Innovation policy and the Quality and Value of higher education. ​

Jovan previously worked at the Learning and Skills Development Agency, and holds a BSc in Biological Sciences from King's College London.​

Karmjit Kaur leads the political affairs team at UUK, managing the relationships with ministers, advisers and other political stakeholders, and the UUK’s influencing among parliamentarians and key policymakers.

She has 15 years' experience in public affairs, political campaigning and influencing, and communications. Before working in higher education, she worked in the health and international development sectors, working on a range of political campaigns including the government's child obesity strategy, reducing child poverty and bringing down maternal mortality rates in developing countries.

She enjoys the collaborative, team-work environment at UUK, alongside the opportunity to work with universities to offer the best life-changing university experience to those who have considered it to be out of reach. She also values the inclusive culture and environment at Universities UK, prioritising an open and safe space to discuss issues and challenges that affect us all, beyond just our day-to-day jobs – including the UUK’s Women and Gender Equality Network and community volunteering policies.

Methela is responsible for coordinating UUK’s influencing activities ahead of the general election, ensuring priorities are communicated to key decision makers. They also support the day-to-day engagement with parliamentarians and government. Prior to joining UUK, Methela worked for several health charities and a medical royal college, influencing a range of issues, including tackling workforce shortages in the NHS and increasing investment in cardiovascular disease research.

Mike spent 21 years in the Department for Education and in many varying roles. He became Deputy Parliamentary Clerk in 1995 before moving to the position of Lords Researcher to Baroness Ashton working direct to the Minister on all aspects of Lords Business. Mike then returned to the Parliamentary Team as Parliamentary Clerk in 2007.

Mike has worked with and trained numerous Bill teams across Whitehall including the CO, DfID, HO, MoD, MoJ, HMRC, DCLG, BEIS, IPSA, DfE, DVLA and DfT.

Jim was the local MP for Eastwood and then East Renfrewshire serving from 1997 to 2015.

During that time, he served under both Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. While in government, he served in Senior Ministerial and Cabinet roles.

Jim is now Managing Director of Arden Strategies, a political consultancy firm advising corporates and governments across the world. He is a trustee of the Foundation for Jewish Heritage and is on the Advisory Board of the CST.

He is a marathon runner and keen footballer.

Pippa is a multiple award-winning journalist who has covered Westminster and international politics for more than two decades and exposed the Partygate and Barnard Castle scandals. She is Political Editor of The Guardian and before that was Political Editor of the Daily Mirror, and City Hall Editor at the Evening Standard.

Tom has worked in the Political Affairs team at UUK for 2 years. In addition to his role as communications lead for research activity, he has spent the past few months working on influencing legislation, including the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill.

As Chief Executive, her primary focus is on influencing policy, political engagement, relationships with members and organisational leadership. Her background is in higher education policy and politics. After a degree in English Literature, she spent a year in Italy followed by two working in Parliament. She held several policy roles in Universities UK before becoming Head of Political Affairs in 2011. She became Director of Universities UK International in 2014. In September 2022, she took up the role of Chief Executive of Universities UK.