Rachel joined UCLan as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development) in 2017. She is responsible for the ongoing development of UCLan’s learning and teaching strategy, ensuring that we deliver an outstanding student experience in a modern learning environment.

Rachel works closely with senior colleagues at UCLan to help shape, develop and deliver UCLan's strategic aims, delivery plans and key objectives and to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the University.

Prior to joining UCLan, Rachel worked with the Open University, where she held the position of Director of Strategy, Planning and Resources. She had strategic responsibility for student experience and enhancing student employability and career progression.

As well as her experience within higher education, Rachel has delivered major change projects in other sectors. In her role as Head of Curriculum Design and Development for the Police Service, Rachel managed the redevelopment of the national police curriculum and led the work to develop the world’s first professional body for policing, the College of Policing, on secondment to the Home Office.

Rachel brings invaluable leadership skills and experience in large-scale change to the Executive team and is strongly committed to UCLan values and its mission. Together with senior colleagues, Rachel will work in partnership with students to realise our ambition to be sector leading for the quality of our teaching and the student experience.

Rachel has degrees and qualifications from the University of Bradford, Durham University, South Bank University and Oxford University.

Current responsibilities

• Degree Apprenticeship Strategy and its delivery
• Delivering an outstanding student experience and high levels of student satisfaction
• Teaching Excellence Framework
• The sustained achievement of high quality teaching and research in a modern learning environment through the UCLan Learning and Teaching Strategy.
• Strategic Lead for the Lancashire Forensic Science Academy
• Equality and access and participation

Committee membership

• Vice-Chancellor's Group
• Student Experience and Engagement Committee (Chair)
• Academic Board (member)
• ASQAC (member)
• Course Planning Committee
• Academic Leadership Group

Representation on External Bodies

• University Alliance Teaching Excellence Alliance
• Lancashire Forensic Science Academy Strategy Group (Joint Chair)