In April 2018 Professor Colin Grant took up the post of Vice-Principal (International) at Queen Mary University London. He formerly held the same role at the University of Southampton. He is Chair of the Russell Group International Forum, and a member of both the Universities UK International Strategic Advisory Board, and of the DAAD Global Strategic Partnerships Review Committee.
Dr Janet Brown was appointed Chief Executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority in 2007. Her background was in the private sector, working in science and technology. She worked in the electronics sector for almost two decades, spending a considerable time in the US with the likes of AT&T, Bell Laboratories and Motorola. She returned to the UK to take up a post with Scottish Enterprise before moving to the SQA.
Professor John Hearn is Chief Executive of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN). WUN works in research, education and mobility; with a focus on climate change and food security, public health in non-communicable disease, reform of higher education and research, and understanding cultures. His background is in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at the Universities of Edinburgh, University College London, Wisconsin, ANU and Sydney.
Graham holds a chair in sustainability in business at the University of Surrey, where he is also Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and a member of the Executive Board of the University.
Graham is currently co-editor of the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, lead judge for the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow awards and Chair of Considerate Hoteliers. He also holds the title of Distinguished University Professor at Wakayama University, Japan.
John is an international skills sector expert with extensive experience of leading global technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes. He supports UK stakeholders and international partners in developing sustainable projects contributing to global skills initiatives. John previously worked as International Development Director for the Sector Skills Council for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (SEMTA), and as the Association of Colleges’ International Director.
Joanna is Chief Executive and Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Previous posts include Vice-Principal (International) at King’s College London, Director of Universities UK International and Head of Higher Education at the British Library. Joanna remains a Senior Research Fellow at King’s College and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Southampton. She sits on the Editorial Board of the Round Table and is Advisor to the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
Carolyn Robson, Chief Executive Officer of the Rushey Mead Educational Trust and Executive Principal at Rushey Mead Academy, has spent all of her working life in the service of young people and families both in Leicester and as part of regional and national bodies. The Rushey Mead Educational Trust is an innovativenew partnership of primary and secondary schools situated in the East Midlands. Rushey Mead Academy is a vibrant and highly successful city comprehensive academy.
Jan is Principal of Somerville College Oxford. Under the last Labour Government she was Leader of the House of Lords and a member of Gordon Brown’s cabinet, then served for five years as Leader of the Opposition in the Lords. She previously worked in the European Commission, for Neil Kinnock and for the Labour Group in the European Parliament. Jan is still an active backbencher and holds senior non-executive director posts, including as Vice Chair of the Conference of Colleges.
Professor Sir Peter Scott is professor of higher education studies at the UCL Institute of Education. Prior to that he was Vice-Chancellor of Kingston University. He has also been pro vice-chancellor for external affairs at the University of Leeds, as well as professor of education and director of their Centre for Policy Studies in education. Before Leeds, he was for 16 years editor of the Times Higher Education supplement.
Vivienne Stern is the Director of the UK Higher Education International Unit which represents the UK higher education sector internationally. Prior to her role in the Unit, Vivienne was Head of Political Affairs at Universities UK where she was responsible for developing and implementing the political strategy for the membership body representing 134 UK Universities.