Chief Executive: Nicola Dandridge

Responsible for the leadership and management of Universities UK

Nicola joined Universities UK as Chief Executive in September 2009. She was previously chief executive of the Equality Challenge Unit, the higher education agency which promotes equality and diversity for staff and students. Nicola originally qualified as a lawyer, initially working in the City before moving to Glasgow to requalify in Scotland where she worked for 10 years specialising in equality law. She was educated at Oxford, London Metropolitan and Glasgow universities.

Chief Operating Officer: Jeremy Holmes

Responsible for internal leadership and coordination of all UUK's activities

Before joining UUK Jeremy was Chief Executive and Registrar of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and led its reorganisation into a separate regulator and professional body. He spent 10 years in the advertising industry and was Managing Director of the Economists Advisory Group. Jeremy also has significant involvement in the non-profit sector as a board member and trustee. He holds a degree from the University of Oxford and a Diploma from New York University.

Director of Policy: Paul Clark

Responsible for overseeing the full range of higher education policy development at UUK, coordinating priorities and shaping the future policy agenda on behalf of member institutions

Before joining UUK, Paul worked as a manager in a number of institutions in the higher education sector and the public sector, including holding senior management positions at the University of Oxford. He has also worked in local politics and in several not-for-profit roles. Paul was educated at the University of Oxford, and holds an MBA from the University of London.

Deputy Director of Policy: Chris Hale

Responsible for working with the Director of Policy in the planning, coordination and management of UUK’s policy work

Chris has significant expertise in research policy and funding and leads on a number of cross-cutting projects, including efficiency in HE. Before joining UUK Chris worked at the General Medical Council and the University of Sussex. He holds a degree from the University of Sussex and an MSc in public policy from University College London.

Director, Member Services: Dr Antoinette Titchener-Hooker

Responsible for member services and engagement

Previously deputy director of policy development at UUK, Antoinette has significant experience of policy analysis and development in higher education, particularly in the areas of funding, business and industry, and leadership and governance. Antoinette has worked at the National Audit Office on value for money studies in HE and in the chief executive’s office of a large local authority. She was educated at the University of Manchester, where she also completed a PhD.

Director of Communications: Nigel Semmens

Responsible for communication strategy including media profile, the web, Parliamentary work, campaigns and events

Nigel has worked in the fields of communications and fund-raising for 25 years with posts at Sotheby’s, the South Bank Centre and the British Council. He joined Universities UK in September 2009 after seven years at the National Gallery, London. He holds a degree from the University of Oxford.

Director of Resources: Chris Lambert

Responsible for the management of Woburn House and the CVCP property portfolio, and UUK resources including finance, information technology, human resources and facilities.

Chris’s broad management experience includes positions as company secretary at Dower Green Holdings Ltd, commercial director at Robenau Toys Ltd, investment manager at GLE (venture capital division) and commercial manager at the General Optical Council. He holds a degree from University College London and an MBA from Middlesex University.

Director of the UK Higher Education International Unit: 
Dr Joanna Newman

Responsible for the management of the International Unit and delivering UUK’s international strategy.

Joanna Newman is Director of the UK Higher Education International Unit (IU). Joanna was formerly Head of Higher Education at the British Library, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and an Honorary Fellow at the University of Southampton. She is also a Council Member of the Wiener Library.

Director Universities Scotland: Alastair Sim

Responsible for the leadership and management of Universities Scotland

Alastair took up the directorship of Universities Scotland in July 2009. His previous experience is as a senior civil servant in Scotland and on secondment to the European Commission. He has worked as private secretary to UK government ministers, and has developed policy and legislation on constitutional reform and environmental protection. From 2004 to 2006, Alastair was seconded to the University of Glasgow as an executive director. He holds degrees from Oxford, Delaware and Glasgow universities. 

Deputy Director (Policy), Universities Scotland: Simon Jennings

Responsible for overseeing policy development at Universities Scotland, with a particular responsibility for funding and governance

Simon joined Universities Scotland in July 2010 from the University of Edinburgh, where he was head of public policy and deputy director of planning. Prior to his seven years at Edinburgh, Simon worked for the Joint Information Systems Committee and the National Library for the Blind. He holds degrees from Oxford and Sheffield universities and is studying towards an MSc in public relations at Queen Margaret University.

Director Higher Education Wales: Amanda Wilkinson

Responsible for the leadership and management of Higher Education Wales

Amanda has been Director of Higher Education Wales since November 2004. Previously she held posts with the CBI as director for south west England, head of policy for Wales and senior adviser on SME matters for the UK. During her early career she worked for the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation and the Valuation Office Agency. Amanda has served on numerous advisory bodies representing local government, business and higher education. She holds a degree from Staffordshire University.