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Biographies of the Members of the University Council

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David Normington

Sir David Normington

Sir David Normington is the University’s Chair of Council and Pro-Chancellor. Sir David began his first term of office as Chair and Pro-Chancellor on 1 August 2017. Prior to this, Sir David has served as an Independent Member of Council since August 2011. Sir David chairs the Nominations Committee, Remuneration Committee (except when it is considering the Vice-Chancellor's remuneration), Honorary Degrees Committee and the University of Warwick Foundation and is a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Sir David was a civil servant for 37 years, working in the fields of employment, education and criminal justice. He was Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and Skills from 2001 to 2005, at a time when the Department was responsible for further and higher education and skills in addition to its responsibilities for children and schools. From 2006 to 2010 he was Permanent Secretary at the Home Office leading a department with over 30,000 staff and responsibility for controversial issues like immigration and law and order. He worked with five Home Secretaries over his five-year term as Permanent Secretary and led a major transformation programme to restore the Home Office’s capability and reputation.

After retiring from the civil service at the end of 2010, Sir David was the First Civil Service Commissioner and the Commissioner for Public Appointments from April 2011 to March 2016. In these roles he regulated appointments to the civil service and public bodies, seeking to ensure that they were on merit after fair and open competition.

Sir David received a KCB in 2005 and was appointed GCB in the 2011 New Year’s Honours list. Sir David has an M.A.(Oxon) in Modern History and is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development. Sir David was a Trustee of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) from 2011 - 2018. He is currently the Chair of Birmingham Royal Ballet, a Royal Ballet governor.

Jayne Nickalls

Jayne Nickalls is Vice-Chair of the University Council.

Jayne began her first term of office in January 2023 which is due to end on 31 December 2025.

Jayne has had a thirty-year executive career, with leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, with organisations operating in complex environments. This was followed by eleven years with a non-executive portfolio, latterly with Jadu (ongoing) and the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), which has just ended. At the PPF Jayne was a member of the Risk and Audit Committee and Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

Jayne led Directgov (the UK citizen information service, now GOV.UK) for over five years, leading the organisation from start-up to an established business, at the heart of the government's digital strategy in the Cabinet Office.

Jayne is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).

Louise Ainsworth

Louise is an independent member of the University Council. Louise began her first term of office in August 2019 and her second term is due to end on 31 July 2025. Louise is also a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Louise is also currently Chief Executive Officer, EMEA, Media Division of Kantar and has worked across the advertising and media industry for more than 18 years, with extensive experience in senior consulting. Louise has held leadership roles in research, digital publishing, advertising and digital advertising agencies, including OgilvyOne, and at the BBC.

Louise has also worked at Shell Aviation and as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company. Louise spent six years at The Nielsen Company, leading Nielsen’s online media and advertising measurement & research business in EMEA.

Yewande Akinola

Yewande Akinola MBE

Yewande Akinola is an independent member of the University Council. Yewande began her first term of office in February 2020 and her second term is due to end on 31 July 2026. Yewande is also a member of the University Estate and Environment Committee and Honorary Degrees Committee.

Yewande is an award winning Chartered Design Engineer and Innovator, specialising in Design and Construction, Innovation and Manufacture of buildings and systems for the built environment. She has worked on projects in the U.K., Africa, the Middle East and in East Asia.

Yewande is also a TV presenter for Engineering Television programmes.

Yewande was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2020 New Year Honour’s list for services to Engineering Innovation and Diversity in STEM.

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Junaid Bajwa

Junaid Bajwa is an independent member of the University Council. Junaid began his first term of office in May 2023 and this term is due to end in July 2026.

Junaid is a triple board certified practising physician in the NHS (the UK’s National Health Service), and the Chief Medical Scientist at Microsoft Research. His work focuses on transforming the practice of medicine with trusted, reliable and human centred AI. He leads much of Microsoft’s future clinical, scientific and regulatory strategy, plus leads some of Microsoft’s global engagement with premier healthcare, and life sciences organisations.

Junaid is also a Board member of one of the UK’s largest research hospitals (UCLH), Board member of the MHRA (the UK’s regulator for medicines, and medical devices in the UK), and Governor at Nuffield Health (the UK’s largest Health Charity). He was previously the Global Lead for Strategic Alliances and Solutions for the Global Digital Centre of Excellence at Merck Sharp & Dohme, where he led a range of strategic initiatives to improve patient care, including establishment of internal partnerships across the enterprise and external partnerships across the health care ecosystem. He cofounded “VelocityHealth” as Europe’s first prevention focused digital-health accelerator, in partnership with Telefonica, and led his team to deliver the “NHS Testbed” in partnership with Verily Life Sciences (part of Alphabet), which the Health Service Journal recognized the “Best Pharmaceutical Partnership with the NHS” in 2018.

Previously, Junaid has worked across primary care, secondary care, and public health settings in addition to acting as a payer, and policy maker within the UK, where he specialized in informatics, digital transformation, and leadership. He has consulted for health care systems across the US, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Europe, in addition to being seconded by the NHS to work with IBM. Junaid completed his MBA at the Imperial College Business School in London and has studied health strategy and quality improvement at both Harvard and the Institute of Healthcare Improvement in Boston. Academically, he is a Clinical Associate Professor at UCL (University College London), an Associate Fellow at the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI Center), and a Visiting Scientist at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Bal Claire

Bal Claire is an independent member of the University Council. Bal began his first term of office in May 2019 and his second term is due to end on 31 July 2025. Bal is also a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Bal is an independent Management Consultant, helping organisations across a broad range of industry sectors and individuals to grow and succeed. Bal has built a diverse portfolio of roles including holding a number of non-executive positions, including a local NHS Trust and as well as Chairing a charitable Trust of the BT London Telecoms Region Amateur Sports Association. In a previous association with Warwick University, Bal was an independent member of the Faculty Advisory Board for the Medical School.

Bal had a hugely successful career at BT and has a deep understanding and experience of the telecommunications industry. Starting as an apprentice he worked his way up to senior Director roles holding significant accountability and led large-scale business transformation. Bal is motivated and passionate about delivering the right business outcomes that bring real value to customers.

In his spare time Bal fundraises for charity and likes walking and watching a range of sports including Rugby Union, Football and F1.

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Sophie Clark

Sophie is Vice President for Democracy & Development of Warwick Students' Union and is a student member of the University Council.

Sophie began their first term of office in August 2023 and this term is due to end on 31 July 2024.

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Professor Stuart Croft

Stuart became the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Warwick in February 2016, moving from his previous role as the University’s Provost and prior to this as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Arts and Social Sciences). Stuart has been part of Warwick’s community since 2007, when he joined the Politics and International Studies department as Professor of International Security.

Stuart chairs the Financial Plan Sub-Committee and is a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, Nominations Committee, Honorary Degrees Committee, University Estate Committee, University of Warwick Foundation and the Investment Sub-Committee.

Working with colleagues, Stuart is responsible for ensuring the University of Warwick delivers excellent education and research within the region, nationally and internationally. Stuart’s work is in the field of security studies for which he has previously held senior posts at the University of Birmingham, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the British International Studies Association.

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Professor David Davies

Professor David Davies is one of the four academic members of staff who are nominated to represent the Senate on the University Council. Their current term of office on Council is due to end on 31 July 2024.

David is a Professor at Warwick Medical School. They have led the creation of the BSc in Health and Medical Sciences, the first undergraduate programme in the school's history. As Deputy Chair of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine, David guides the Faculty-level implementation of the University Education Strategy, fostering strategic educational themes and enhancing the student experience. In their role as Director of Warwick in Africa, David gives strategic direction and leadership to a partnership of schools and universities in South Africa, Ghana, and Tanzania to enhance teacher professional development to raise achievement and attainment in English and mathematics for learners in the classroom.

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Professor Emma Flynn

Emma Flynn is Provost at the University of Warwick where she supports the Vice Chancellor in the academic leadership of the University. A key aspect of her role is leading the development and delivery of the University’s academic strategy, ensuring that Warwick remains competitive and relevant within HE and beyond. She is responsible for the efficient and effective use of academic resources, including departmental resources, capital planning and space management, and information resources.

Emma joined Warwick in August 2023 leaving Queen’s University Belfast, where she was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise. Emma did her undergraduate degree at Southampton University, and her PhD in the ESRC Centre for Research in Development, Instruction and Training at the University of Nottingham. After a lectureship at the University of St Andrews, Emma joined Durham University where she took on a variety of leadership roles ultimately ending her time there as Deputy Provost. Emma is a psychologist whose research investigates the production and transmission of innovation. She has extensive international collaborative links with biologists, philosophers, computer scientists and statisticians.

Through her leadership roles Emma has worked closely with local, national and international bodies to support the development and utilisation of world-leading research to have significant disciplinary, societal, environmental and economic impact. She has been a member of working groups aimed at improving international partnerships, global talent attraction and retention, and the role of place in innovation strategies. Within the university sector she has overseen international recruitment campaigns, established integrated planning and strategy structures, and led culture change agendas.

James Furse OBE

James Furse is an independent member of the University Council and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee. James is also chairs the Remuneration Committee. He began his first term of office in August 2021 and this term is due to end on 31 July 2024. James was awarded an OBE in the King's 2023 New Year's Honours list for his public service.

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Kate Holden

Kate Holden is an independent member of the University Council and a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Kate began her first term of office in January 2024 and this term is due to end on 31st December 2026.

Kate is a Non-Executive Director and Board Advisor with expertise in business transformation in both the public and private sectors, and has a particular focus on digital service delivery in complex environments. She combines strategic, commercial and international experience with a strong understanding of technology, financial oversight, risk management, diversity and culture.

She currently works across a broad portfolio of organisations, including the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, The Leadership High and several tech start-ups. She consults and advises organisations facing strategic choices and responding to the challenges of today's digital disruptions to achieve scale, grow market share and deliver profitable results. She also enjoys mentoring - both in corporate and start up environments.

This follows 25+ years in senior executive roles with FTSE 100 businesses, multinationals and Tech Startups in the Media, Information Services and Education industries including managing Business Units at RELX PLC, Pearson PLC, Financial Times and McGraw-Hill Education.

Kate is also a freeman of the City of London and a member of the Worshipful Company of Marketors’ governing Board - a City Livery Company which promotes Marketing as a force for economic and social good.

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Richard Hyde

Richard Hyde is an independent member of the University Council. Richard began his first term of office in May 2021 and this term is due to end in 2024. Richard is also a member of the University Estate and Environment Committee and Honorary Degrees Committee.

Richard is Chief Executive of a construction products company. He has combined the leadership of his business with non-executive public sector roles focused on housing, the built environment and regeneration. This has included a number of nationally significant and complex organisations. He is a Chartered Accountant and has a degree in Economics.

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Professor Nina-Anne Lawrence

Professor Nina-Anne Lawrence is a Senate representative on Council.

Nina-Anne is Head of Department and Director of Warwick Foundation Studies (WFS) and her specialism is international education.

She is a global strategic leader with experience gained from living and working in the UK, China, Germany and the Republic of Ireland. She has expertise in balancing academic quality and superior student experience with the strategic goals and objectives of an organisation gained through roles including Director of Academic Affairs, Director of International Affairs, Head of International Business Development, Academic Director and CEO.

Nina-Anne is also the Chair of the University Pathway Alliance, an IC Global Fellow and on the editorial board for the InForm Journal. She has authored the book, Business Presentations, published by Longman.

Professor Andy Lockett

Professor Andy Lockett is one of the four academic members of staff who are nominated to represent the Senate on the University Council. Their current term of office on Council is due to end on 31 July 2024. Andy is Dean of Warwick Business School.

Prior to becoming Dean in 2016, Andy undertook a number of leadership roles in WBS including the Head of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group, Associate Dean, and Pro-Dean. He became Deputy Dean of the school in 2014 with specific responsibility for the school’s research, engagement and impact strategy.

Andy’s research and teaching interests intersect the areas of strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship.

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Professor Mark Newton

Professor Mark Newton is one of the four academic members of staff who are nominated to represent the Senate on the University Council. Their current term of office on Council is due to end on 31 July 2026.

Professor Mark Newton is the Head of the Department of Physics and holds a Chair in Experimental Physics. Mark has published over 150 papers and patents, supervised more than 30 PhD students, a sustained track record of research funding (e.g. active projects total over £10 million of funding) and a strong track record of working with industry. Mark has won both university-level and departmental teaching prizes and is strong advocate of Research led Teaching.

With Professor Julie Macpherson, Mark was winner of the 2017 Royals Society Innovation Award.

Mark has appeared on the BBC’s Bang Goes the Theory and Radio 4 talking about the synthesis of diamond and the high-tech applications of lab-grown diamond, and with Prof Julie Macpherson co-organised exhibitions highlighting the extraordinary properties of lab grown diamond at the 2016 Royal Society Summer Exhibition and 2015 Science Museum Lates.

 

Sam Parr

Sam Parr is the professional services member of the University Council. Sam began his first term of office in January 2024 and this term is due to end on 31 July 2026.

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Adrian Penfold OBE

Adrian Penfold is an independent member of the University Council. Adrian began his first term of office in 2016 and his third term is due to end on 31 July 2025. Adrian chairs the University Estate and Environment Committee and is a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee and Nominations Committee.

Adrian joined British Land in 1996, following his time in local government and with the London Docklands Development Corporation.

At British Land he dealt with major mixed use development projects in the UK and in the Republic of Ireland, with a particular focus on central London, including the award winning Regent’s Place and Leadenhall Building (the 'Cheesegrater').

He was a member of the Barker Review of Land Use Planning’s Panel of Experts and led the Government appointed independent Penfold Review of Non-Planning Consents which reported in July 2010. He was a member of the Government appointed Local Plans Expert Group which reported in 2016 and was a commissioner on the Government's Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission.

He was awarded the OBE in March 2016 for Service to the Property Industry and Public Service to Planning.

He is now a member of the Transitional Board of the Office for Place.

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Maya Prabhu

Maya Prabhu is an independent member of the University Council and Nominations Committee. Maya began her first term of office in May 2023 and this term is due to end in July 2026. Maya is also a member of the Nominations Committee.

Maya leads the Wealth Advisory practice across the EMEA region and the Family Governance practice for the International private Bank. She helps individuals and families articulate the goals for their wealth and then advises on strategies to hold, protect and transfer their wealth and on the establishment of family offices. She also advises families on strategies to plan for and support the harmonious transition of their family wealth and family businesses to the next generation. In this realm, her areas of focus include developing family governance and communication strategies, next generation engagement and development, and in crafting effective and rewarding philanthropy strategies. She has helped many individuals and families to capture their strategies in their own Mission Statement or Family Constitution. Maya is experienced in working with families from a range of cultures including the UK, across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.

Maya holds practicing certificates in Family Business Advising and Family Wealth Advising from the Family Firm Institute (Boston, USA), a Certificate in Executive Coaching from the Henley Business School (University of Reading) and is an accredited mediator from Regents University. She is a member of the teaching faculty for the Family Firm Institute’s GEN courses and for the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioner’s Diploma Certificate in Private Client Advising. She has also guest lectured for the Wealth Management Institute, Singapore. Maya is a Fellow of and serves on the Board of the Family Firm Institute. She volunteers as a community mediator.

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Neil Sachdev MBE

Neil Sachdev is the Treasurer of the University and an independent member of the University Council. Neil began his first term of office in 2016 and his current term is due to end on 31 July 2024. Neil is Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, Investment Sub Committee and the Warwick Business School Advisory Board. Neil is also a member of the Nominations Committee.

Neil joined Tesco PLC in 1978, and was property director there before joining J Sainsbury PLC as commercial director in March 2007. Neil held the position of property director until leaving J Sainsbury PLC in March 2014. He was Chair of the Institute of Grocery Distribution until April 2014.

He is currently Chair of Exclusive Contracts Group Limited, as well as being a governor at Nuffield Health and Network Rail Property.

Neil also is Chair of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation Board for the Ministry of Defence and a Non-Executive Director for the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Programme.

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Wayne Snow

Wayne Snow is an independent member of the University Council. Wayne began his first term of office in January 2024 and this term is due to end on 31 December 2026. Wayne is also a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Wayne is currently a Senior Advisor at the Bank of England where he advises the bank on insurance policy and firm supervision.

Prior to joining the Bank Wayne was the Group Chief Risk Officer for the Liverpool Victoria and Phoenix Group insurance companies and is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries.

Wayne is also a trustee and audit committee chair for Queer Britain, the UK's first national LGBTQ+ museum.

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Anna Taylor

Anna is the President of Warwick Students' Union and is a student member of the University Council.

Anna began their first term of office in August 2023 and this term is due to end on 31 July 2024.