Vice-Chancellor's Group
The Vice-Chancellor's Group, along with the Board of Governors, lead the University and are responsible for ensuring we fulfil our mission and values. As a leadership team they have clear responsibilities to drive improvement and growth around our key objectives of student recruitment and experience, financial stability and continued focus on our people.
The Vice-Chancellor is the principal academic and administrative officer of the University and is responsible to the Chairman of the Governors.
As Vice-Chancellor, Graham is responsible for the leadership and management of the University within the principles laid down by the Board of Governors, of which he is an ex-officio member. Graham is supported by the Vice-Chancellor's Group, which includes the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the Chief Officers and the Pro Vice-Chancellors.
Graham is a member of Universities UK, a Non-Executive Director of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Chair of Lancashire Innovation Board, Chair of the Maritime Skills Commission, Chair of MillionPlus, Chair of the University Vocational Awards Council, Deputy Chair of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association and member of Lancashire Enterprise Partnership.
Experience
Graham returned to the University after spending five years as the Vice-Chancellor of Solent University in Southampton. During that time, the University opened an iconic learning and teaching building, a new indoor sports complex and industry-ready nursing and maritime simulation centres. The University also rose significantly in all major league tables, recorded its highest ever results for student satisfaction, employability and progression and was awarded TEF Silver. This culminated in being shortlisted for the University of the Year 2019 in the Times Higher Education Awards.
Before joining Solent University as Vice-Chancellor, Graham worked as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Central Lancashire. He joined the Senior Management Team in 2003 and held posts as Dean of Academic Development and Director for Cumbria.
In 2007/08 Graham was seconded to work as the national skills research director for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority at Sellafield Limited. In March 2008 he took up the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Skills and Employer Engagement) and was appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) from 1 January 2010 with overall responsibility for the University's academic and research activity.
Graham also worked closely with partner institutions, particularly in Hong Kong, China and the Middle East, and he received an Outstanding Foreign Expert Award from Hebei Province, China. During 2014 he was also appointed as Honorary Professor at Hebei University in Baoding, and in 2015 was appointed as a Visiting Professor by the National Academy for Education Administration, Beijing.
Qualifications
- BA (Hons) Sport and Recreation Studies, Madeley School of Physical Education (now Staffordshire University).
- MSc Sports Science, Loughborough University.
- PhD Exercise Physiology, University of Wales, Bangor.
- PGCE, University of Wales.
Committee membership
- University Board
- Chair: Academic Board
- Chair: Confucius Institute
- Chair: Strategic Management Team
- Chair: Vice-Chancellor’s Group
- Director: UCLan Professional Services Ltd
- Director: UCLan Overseas Ltd
- Director: UCLan CY IPS Ltd
- Director: UCLan Cyprus
- Director: Centralan Holdings Ltd
External bodies
- Chair: Maritime Skills Commission
- Non-Executive Director: East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Chair: Lancashire Innovation Board
- Deputy Chair: Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA).
- Chair: MillionPlus
- Member: Universities UK
- Chair: University Vocational Awards Council
- Member: Lancashire Enterprise Partnership
Contact Details
Tel: 01772 892509
Email: vcoffice@uclan.ac.uk
George joined the University in February 2018 as Interim Deputy Finance Director (FP&A) and was recruited as Chief Finance Officer in December 2019. He is responsible for strategic leadership over the University’s financial management ensuring its financial sustainability.
George has over 20 years’ experience of providing effective financial management in large, complex and multinational organisations. Before joining the University he was the Director of Finance (FP&A) at Ingeus, a leading global provider of employment and training services. He then set up his own financial consultancy to provide commercial expertise to both private and public sector companies.
George is a graduate of Oxford Brookes University and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
Current responsibilities
- Ensuring effective governance and controls over the University’s financial operations, including the setting and monitoring of departmental budgets.
- Managing the University’s purchasing activities in order to deliver legal compliance and value for money.
- Ensuring that appropriate financial information systems, policies and procedures are robust and fit for purpose.
- Ensuring the efficient use of the University's financial, physical and intellectual assets in support of its investment plans.
Committee membership
- Vice-Chancellor’s Group
- Group Death in Service Scheme Trustee
- Treasury Management Group
- Fraud Response Group
- Tax Management Group
- Finance Improvement Programme Board
Board Member
- Centralan Holdings Limited
- UCLan Overseas Limited
- UCLan Cyprus Limited
- UCLan CY IPS Limited
- UCLan Lanka (Private) Ltd
Contact Details
George Charles
Telephone: +44 (0)1772 892160
Email: cfo@uclan.ac.uk
Executive Assistant
Denise Helm
Email: dhelm1@uclan.ac.uk
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations) is a key role in the University’s Senior Leadership, supporting the Vice-Chancellor in the leadership, management and effective operation of the University.
Ruth’s portfolio responsibilities cover a range of professional services, and she has led the development of the new University Strategic Plan to enhance both the academic and business-related performance across the institution. Ruth is Vice-President International and Academic Registrar.
Ruth took up the role as Deputy Chief Executive in November 2021 having previously held the position of Chief Marketing Officer.
Ruth is a key member of the University’s Vice-Chancellor’s Group supporting the Vice-Chancellor in the leadership, management and effective operation of the University.
Ruth’s portfolio responsibilities cover a wide range of professional services including Estates, Academic Registry, Learning and Information Services and External Relations. She led the successful development of the University’s Strategic Plan which enhances the academic and business-related performance across the institution.
Ruth is Vice-President International and Academic Registrar.
Ruth joined UCLan in 2018 as Executive Director for Strategic Marketing before joining the Vice-Chancellor’s Group as Chief Marketing Officer in 2019.
Experience
Before joining UCLan Ruth was Chief Executive at Marketing Lancashire for six years, charged with enhancing the county’s national and international profile, showcasing its strengths as a thriving economic region and driving inward investment. Before joining Marketing Lancashire Ruth was Managing Director at Shearings Leisure Group and Sales and Marketing Director at Gold Medal Travel Group.
An alumna of the University of Central Lancashire, Ruth was named as one of the Top 12 influential businesswomen in the North West by Insider Media and received the ‘Contribution to Lancashire’ Award at the Lancashire Business Awards.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations) Portfolio Responsibilities:
- Academic Registry
- Communications, Events and PR
- Estates and Capital projects
- External Relations and Public Affairs
- International Recruitment and Admissions
- International Partnerships and Study Abroad
- Learning and Information Systems
- Marketing and Development
- Safety, Health and Environmental Compliance
- Sport
- Strategic and Commercial Projects
- Sustainability
- UK Recruitment, Admissions and Partnerships
- Widening Participation and Public Engagement
Qualifications
- BA (Hons) European Business and Languages, The University of Central Lancashire
- Postgraduate CIM Advanced Certificate in Marketing, University of Salford
Committee membership
- Vice-Chancellor’s Group
- Academic Board
External bodies
- King’s Commisioner
- Vice Chair Preston Town Deal Board
- Member of the Preston Regeneration Board
- Association of Heads of University Administration
Contact details
Ruth Connor
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 892502
Email: RJConnor@uclan.ac.uk
Executive Assistant
Katherine Axon
Tel: +44 (0)1772 892511
Email: KAxon1@uclan.ac.uk
Professor Cathy Jackson was appointed as Pro Vice Chancellor Academic Leadership (interim) in September 2023. Prior to this she had been Executive Dean of the Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences and was the Founding Head of the Medical School joining UCLan in 2014 to set up the medical school at that time and led the team through to full accreditation of the program by the General Medical Council.
Professor Jackson also founded the National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine within the University, an internationally recognised organisation focussing on enhancing health and patient outcomes through education, research, and public engagement globally in remote and rural areas.
In her current role Professor Jackson has responsibility as the University Lead for both the West Lakes and Burnley Campus sites, in addition leading on new developments in all clinical areas for the university.
Professor Jackson builds productive relationships with key stakeholders and health care providers both within the UK and internationally to ensure that the university further builds on its strengths in the areas of healthcare education, research, and knowledge exchange.
Professor Jackson gained both a BSc Hons (1st Class) in physiology and a degree in medicine from the University of Manchester. She gained an MD(PhD) from the University of Dundee for clinical research on airways inflammation. Professor Jackson is the embodiment of UCLan “changing lives”, her mother having been educated at UCLan as a mature student in her 30s which in turn changed not only her own life, but also that of her own three children.
Beyond the University Professor Jackson undertakes clinical sessions in both Primary Care and at the interface with secondary care. Previously she has been Deputy Chair of the NIHR HTA committee for Primary Care and Public Health and a member of NICE for over 10 years in addition to numerous other regional, national, and international committees
Professor Jackson remains research active, and her main areas of research interest lie in remote and rural medical care provision, airways inflammation and medical education. She has over 300 publications both online educational resources and peer reviewed publications and receives regular invitations to speak at conferences and learned institutions. She has authored numerous book chapters and a full text on the subject of clinical communication skills.
Current responsibilities
- To provide academic leadership for the university and line management of the Deans of School.
- To provide leadership for West Lakes and Burnley Campus sites
- To oversee the strategic growth of clinical developments both within the UK and overseas
- To provide the Vice-Chancellor’s Group with insight and advice for clinical and medical activity.
- To represent the University on key external Health and related organisations.
- To develop external relationships with key stakeholders in clinical and educational areas.
Member of the following University Committee
- Academic Board (AB)
- Academic Leadership Group (ALG)
- College of Professors and Readers Committee (CPRC)
- Medical Degree Apprenticeship Steering Group
- National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine (NCRRM)
- Strategic Management Team (SMT)
- UCLan Community Dentists Limited (UDDL)
- Vice-Chancellor's Group (VCG)
- Students and Teaching Committee
- Resource Allocation Group
- Research, Knowledge Exchange, and Ethics Committee
- West Lakes Campus Strategy Group
- Burnley Campus Strategy Group
- Portfolio Planning and Review Committee
- Capital Expenditure Board
- Chair of Strategic and Operational Committees for NCRRM (National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine)
Contact details
- Academic Board (AB)
- Academic Leadership Group (ALG)
- College of Professors and Readers Committee (CPRC)
- Medical Degree Apprenticeship Steering Group
- National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine (NCRRM)
- Strategic Management Team (SMT)
- UCLan Community Dentists Limited (UDDL)
- Vice-Chancellor's Group (VCG)
- Students and Teaching Committee
- Resource Allocation Group
- Research, Knowledge Exchange, and Ethics Committee
- West Lakes Campus Strategy Group
- Burnley Campus Strategy Group
- Portfolio Planning and Review Committee
- Capital Expenditure Board
- Chair of Strategic and Operational Committees for NCRRM (National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine)
Contact details
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Leadership)
Professor Cathy Jackson
Email: CJackson19@uclan.ac.uk
Executive Assistant
Carolyn Broomhead
Tel: +44 (0)1772 892342
Email: CABroomhead@uclan.ac.uk
Professor Crean was appointed as Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise in December 2019, having been Pro Vice-Chancellor for Clinical, Health and Research since July 2017. He previously served the University in a number of senior academic roles including Executive Dean of the Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Director of Dental Research and Knowledge Transfer, and Dean of the School of Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education.
In his current role, Professor Crean is responsible for building productive networks and relationships with key stakeholders to ensure the University increases its activity in Research and Enterprise, directing the themes of those activities towards the local, regional and global strategies.
StJohn gained a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery (BDS) from University College London in 1981 before attaining an MB BS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) from University College London School of Medicine in 1992. He gained a PhD from the UCL in 2000, a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education from the University of Cambridge, and has recently been awarded LLM (Medical Ethics and Law) with the University of Edinburgh.
Beyond the University, StJohn is an Honorary Consultant at East Lancashire Hospital Trust and the University of Morecambe Bay Hospitals Foundation Trust. He is currently the Robert Bradlaw advisor in the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and Editor-in-Chief of the Faculty Dental Journal (FDJ). He has held the posts of President of the North West Branch of the British Dental Association and Chairman of the Fylde Section.
His ongoing research interests include the safe management of medicalised patients in dentistry and the role of oral bacteria in systemic disease, with a focus on neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. He has over 120 peer reviewed publications and receives regular invitations to speak to learned societies and conferences.
Current Responsibilities
- To prepare and optimise the submission for the next REF.
- To prepare and optimise future submissions for the KEF.
- To oversee the strategic growth of Research and Enterprise Services.
- To provide the Vice-Chancellor’s Group with insight and advice for clinical and medical activity.
- To represent the University on key external Research, Health and Enterprise bodies.
- To develop external business engagement formats and events.
- To provide VCG input into the operation of the AUC partnership from the clinical / medical delivery perspective.
Member of the following University Committee
- Academic Board (AB)
- Academic Leadership Group (ALG)
- Centralan Holdings Ltd Board
- College of Professors and Readers Committee (CPRC)
- Degree Apprenticeship Steering Group
- Ethics and Integrity Committee (EIC)
- External Awards Committee
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
- Forensic Science Academy Committee
- Honorary Academic Awards Committee
- Joint Academic Negotiation Committee (JANCC)
- National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine (NCRRM)
- Strategic Management Team (SMT)
- UCLan Hong Kong
- UCLan Technology Shenzhen (UTSL)
- University Business Services Limited (UBSL)
- UCLan Community Dentists Limited (UDDL)
- Vice-Chancellor's Group (VCG)
Research
- Animal Welfare and Ethics Review Board (AWERB)
- Environment Working Group
- Global Research Oversight Group (GROP)
- Human Tissue Oversight Committee (HTOC)
- Institute and Centres Monitoring Panel
- Lancashire Health Research Collaboration Hub (LARCH)
- PVC Research Knowledge Exchange Group
- PVC Research Strategy Group
- REF Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Group
- REF Steering Group
- Research and Innovation Committee (Cyprus) (RICC)
- Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (RKEC)
- Research Governance IRAS review panel
External
- Academic Health Science Network (AHSN)
- Active Lancashire
- AKS Local Governing Body
- Alder Hey
- AUC
- BDA (Fylde section) and NW Branch Council
- Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council
- Business Health Matters ISCF Executive Committee
- Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG (NHS East Lancashire))
- Copeland Borough Council
- East Lancashire Hospital Trust
- ELHT Research & Innovation Operational Delivery Board
- Eden North West
- Health Watch Cumbria
- Heath Watch Lancashire
- Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria
- ICS Partnership Forum
- Innovation Agency
- Home Office
- Lancashire County Council (LCC)
- Lancashire Care Foundation Trust
- Lancashire Digital First Primary Care
- Lancashire HEI and BEIS
- LEP – Lancashire
- Lancashire LEP Health Sector Group
- Lancashire Teaching Hospital
- Million Plus Research and Innovation Network
- Myerscough College
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation (NCIC)
- Northern Health Science Alliance(NHSA) Associate Member/UCLan Representative
- Northern Schools Trust - LLS UTC Governor
- Royal College of Surgeons England Faculty of Dental Surgery
- SEED Health Alliance
- Science Technology and Facilities Council (STFC)
- Sydney Driscoll Neuroscience Foundation Oversight Group (SDNF)
- Catherine’s Hospice Research & Innovation Sub-committee
- Universities Alliance
- Universities Economic Development Unit (UEDU)
- Wellbeing Lancashire
- West Lakes Multi - Academy Trust Board
- Westlakes – Samuel Lindlow
Representation on External Bodies
- General Association of Dental (and Medical) Educators in Europe, (ADEE, AMEE)
- Home Office – Establishment Licence Holder
Contact details
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise)
StJohn Crean
Tel: +44 (0)1772 893393
Email: SCrean@uclan.ac.uk
Executive Assistant
Evgeniya Govedarova
Tel: +44 (01772) 892508
Email: EGovedarova@uclan.ac.uk
Ian joined the University in September 2014. Prior to his appointment Ian was the County Secretary and Solicitor at Lancashire County Council. In addition to being the Chief Legal and Governance Adviser to the County Council Ian also played a major role in creating and supporting a wide range of partnerships and joint ventures including a number of limited companies such as the Lancashire Economic Partnership, Lancashire County Enterprise Limited and Marketing Lancashire.
Ian is Secretary and Legal Advisor to the University Board and Company Secretary to the majority of the University’s subsidiary companies. He also heads up the Legal and Governance team and is a member of the University’s Vice-Chancellor’s Group.
Current Responsibilities
Ian is the University’s chief legal advisor and Secretary of the University Board and its Committees and Secretary of the University’s various subsidiary Companies. Other responsibilities are:
- Corporate Governance (including oversight of compliance with the Office for Students Regulatory regime)
- The provision and procurement of legal advice to the University and its Companies
- Oversight of Internal Audit Regime
Ian is a Member of the Vice-Chancellor's Group.
Contact details
University Secretary and General Counsel
Ian Fisher
Tel: +44 (0)1772 894003
Email: ifisher@uclan.ac.uk
Executive Assistant
Lisa Atty
Tel: +44 (0)1772 892569
Professor Andrew Ireland is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students and Teaching), providing strategic leadership across the organisation in the areas of student experience, teaching excellence, curriculum design, student support services and academic quality assurance.
Andrew joined the University in September 2013 as the Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication. In 2014 he was appointed to the position of Executive Dean as the University restructured into Faculties. He then led the Faculty of Culture and the Creative Industries for four years; in that time it won the Times Higher Education Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts and Professor Lubaina Himid CBE won the prestigious Turner Prize among other highlights. In March 2018 Andrew was promoted to a new Pro Vice-Chancellor role to provide strategic cross-institutional leadership and vision for the digital and creative industries, overseeing the Faculty of Culture and the Creative Industries and the Faculty of Science and Technology. In November 2019 Andrew took up his current role as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students and Teaching).
Prior to working at the University of Central Lancashire, Andrew worked in the broadcast industry and held a number of academic posts in television production before moving into academic management in the Media School at Bournemouth University. In 2004 he became a National Teaching Fellow in the “Rising Stars” category for his HEFCE-funded work in group work assessment in media practice. His research interests include broadcast historiography and re-enactment techniques.
Andrew graduated from Bournemouth University with an Honours degree in Media Production. He achieved a SEDA accredited PG Cert in Professional Development and was awarded a PhD in 2012 entitled Conditions of Time and Space: A Re-enactment Experiment with the British TV Series Doctor Who.
Current Responsibilities
- Strategic leadership of teaching excellence, learning, teaching and assessment, graduate attainment and success
- Ensuring a superlative student experience
- Providing strategic oversight of the Institution’s response to the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
- Providing strategic leadership to the Centre for Collaborative Learning
- Providing strategic leadership for Academic Quality and Enhancement
- Overseeing the Student Services provision of the University
- Providing strategic oversight of the University’s Access and Participation Plan
- Providing strategic oversight of the University’s Student Achievement Services.
- Strategic Leadership of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Committee Membership
- Academic Board
- Vice-Chancellor's Group
- Chair of Student & Teaching Committee and Chair of Academic, Quality & Standards Committee
- Chair of the EDI Committee
- Chair of the Safeguarding, Mental Health & Wellbeing Committee
- Deputy Chair of the Portfolio Planning and Review Committee
- Chair of the Race Equality Chartermark Self-Assessment Team
- The Foundation Trust
Representation on External Bodies
- Chair of Uni Connect Future U Steering Group
- National Teaching Fellow
Contact details
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students and Teaching)
Professor Andrew Ireland
Tel: +44 (0)1772 892503
Email: AIreland@uclan.ac.uk
Executive Assistant
Alison Wolstenholme
Tel: +44 (0)1772 894733
Email: AWolstenholme1@uclan.ac.uk
Ken joined the University in August 2016. He is responsible for ensuring that the University offers a professional, flexible and innovative Human Resources function with responsibility for staff recruitment, administration, engagement and development.
Ken’s role involves driving the organisational development and culture change to underpin the realisation of the University Strategy.
Ken, who originally hails from Burnley, was HR Director of BBC North from 2008-2016. He oversaw the corporation’s HR agenda during and after the £200m implementation of the new BBC North organisation including the migration of staff to the Media City location and the development of a new creative and collaborative culture. Prior to this he held senior Human Resources and Organisational Development roles at British Aerospace, Halifax and HBOS.
Ken graduated from the University of Oxford with a First Class Honours Degree in Jurisprudence (Law and Philosophy).
Current responsibilities
- Staff recruitment
- Staff development and engagement
- Reward and recognition
- The People Team Service and administration
- Trade Union liaison
Committee membership
- Vice-Chancellor's Group
- EDI Strategy Group
- Death in Service Trustee
- Staff Survey Group
- Strategic Management Team
- University Professional Services Limited (UPSL) Board
Contact details
Chief People Officer
Ken Lee
Tel: +44 (0)1772 892391
Email: Klee9@uclan.ac.uk
Executive Assistant
Cath Kilmartin
Tel: +44 (0)1772 892507
Email: CAKilmartin@uclan.ac.uk