Shows
Job Shadowing HESimon Goldsmith: Environmental Sustainability in Higher Education
Simon Goldsmith is Head of Sustainability at the University of Greenwich. He works with colleagues across and outside the institution to help embed environmental sustainability into all aspects of university life, and to support the strategic goal of the University of Greenwich being a recognised leader in this field by 2030.
Simon explores various strategic initiatives that the University is progressing, discusses the different opportunities at the 3 different campuses, and reflects upon the importance of partnerships. He also shares how each of us can make a difference to creating a more sustainable society, and why working in sustainability c...2025-07-0939 minJob Shadowing HESteph Glen: Timetabling and Space Operations
My guest in this episode is Steph Glen. Steph has been a Higher Education professional since 2007, initially working her way through a series of progressively senior roles in Timetabling including nearly 10 years at the University of Nottingham, and since December 2024 holding the newly created strategic role of Head of Teaching Space Operations at UCL, the UK’s largest university.
In this episode, I find out from Steph about the significant impact she has made within her career so far to improve the student experience, and the strategic focus she places on building collaborative relationships with colleagues to he...2025-06-2534 minJob Shadowing HEJenny Jenkin and Tessa Harrsion: Career Transitioning
Jenny Jenkin and Tessa Harrsion have each had 25 year+ careers in Higher Education, and both held registrar positions at various institutions.
During the past few years, they have each forged new career directions outside universities but still working with HE. The episode explores the motivation for change and how they have experienced their transitions.
They also reflect upon the similarities and differences they now find in comparison with institutional life, as well as thoughts about the current and future direction of Higher Education.
This podcast is kindly sponsored by Ellucian Student pow...2025-06-1147 minJob Shadowing HEAnna Quinn: Heading up Student Services
My guest in this episode is Anna Quinn, Head of Student Services at the University of Northampton. In addition to leading her large team, Anna contributes to the strategic development of the University such as its bid for the University Mental Health Charter and work on student suicide prevention. She also talks in this episode about the work she has led since 2017 on addressing sexual misconduct, and the grounding this has offered the University in addressing new Office for Students requirements. Anna also shares her reflections on leadership development and the future direction of Student Services.
This epi...2025-05-2833 minJob Shadowing HEGemma Kenyon: Directing Careers and Employability for Student Success
My guest in this episode is Gemma Kenyon, Director of Careers and Employability at City St George’s University of London. Gemma shares more about her role and how she has successfully directed and embedded a student employability and career focus into institutional life. We talk about how she and her team have gone about collaborating successfully with academic colleagues to achieve this goal, how work is prioritised to best support student success and what the future focus of careers and employability might hold. We also discuss Gemma’s career to date – including navigating being a young leader – and the skil...2025-05-1434 minJob Shadowing HEDr Brooke Storer-Church: Leading GuildHEDr Brooke Storer-Church is Chief Executive Officer of Guild HE which represents around 70 diverse institutions in the Higher Education sector. In this episode, Brooke reflects upon why diversity is so important to UK Higher Education, and talks about the way in which Guild HE is working to support and champion this part of HE . She also discusses her career pathway into and through Higher Education, as well as what’s been her focus, along with that of her team, since she became CEO in June 2024.
This episode is kindly sponsored by Gatenby Sanderson, the UK’s leadership expert. We partner wit...2025-04-3037 min
Job Shadowing HELeadership Reflections Mini-Series: Kerry Shepherd and Ben Tucker
Kerry Shepherd and Ben Tucker are founders and partners of the executive search firm, Minerva, sponsor of this Leadership Reflections Mini-Series.
In our discussion, we explore some of the themes from earlier episodes of the mini-series and put those topics into the wider Higher Education leadership context of 2025. As professionals who have contact with a significant number of institutions and leadership candidates, Kerry and Ben also share their observations of the leadership qualities that are now being sought, as well as consideration of how emerging leaders can be supported through development programmes to best support the future leadership of...2025-04-0936 minJob Shadowing HELeadership Reflections: Professor Pip Beard, Head of the School of Life Sciences, Keele University
Professor Pip Beard is Professor of Viral Pathology and Head of the School of Life Sciences at Keele University. Pip took her up post as Head of School following the initial part of her career in practice and subsequently in research institutes, and she continues to hold a national and international government advisory role in her professional field.
In this episode, Pip reflects upon taking up a Head of School role and how she has found the first two years in post. She considers the value of leadership development programmes she undertook prior to her u...2025-03-1929 minJob Shadowing HELeadership Reflections: Jim Irving, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students & Governance)
My guest in this episode is Jim Irving, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students and Governance) at Southampton Solent University, who has developed his higher education career over the past 25 years across a series of progressively senior professional services posts.
Jim reflects on his leadership path so far and delves into a range of topics including what motivated him to pursue a career in Higher Education leadership, successfully navigating relationships across an institution and how he’s responded to times that have been professionally tough. He also discusses the art of leading through influence, and the importance of sup...2025-03-0541 minJob Shadowing HELeadership Reflections: Professor Randall S Whittaker, Principal & CEO
My guest in this episode of the Leadership Reflections mini-series is Professor Randall S Whittaker, Principal and CEO of Rose Bruford College, one of the UK's leading specialist performing arts Higher Education Institutions.
As a renowned figure for his work on representation and diversity, Randall reflects upon his leadership journey including what he has learnt along the way, how creativity forms a core part of his leadership approach and why engaging with the wider sector is so important for career development and establishing a voice. He also considers the instrumental role of specialist institutions as part...2025-02-1934 minJob Shadowing HELeadership Reflections: Professor Shân Wareing, Vice-ChancellorMy guest in this episode of the Leadership Reflections mini-series is Professor Shân Wareing, Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University. In this episode, Shân shares more about her professional background and progressing her career through an educational development route and into senior leadership.
With a prime motivation to want to see students flourish and for institutions to work effectively, Shân reflects upon her pathway to becoming a Vice-Chancellor, including what she learnt along the way, her approach to team leadership, managing resilience. She also considers why it’s important to be supporting emerging leaders of the futur...2025-02-0533 minJob Shadowing HEErica Conway: Myth-Busting the Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
My guest in this episode is Erica Conway, Chief Financial Officer at the University of Birmingham and Chair of the British Universities Finance Directors Group (BUFDG).
In this episode, Erica offers insight into the role of Chief Financial Officer, and how she works in partnership with university colleagues and governors to enable the institution to achieve its strategic goals. She also offers her reflections on the financial state of the wider sector, how finance professionals can be supported in fulfilling careers within Higher Education, and the benefits that she draws from her engagement as a trustee and governor with organisations bey...2025-01-2239 minJob Shadowing HEHolly Duglan: Market Exit and MergerHolly Duglan is a Registrar and Secretary who had a leading role in managing the market exit of Writtle University College and its merger with Anglia Ruskin University in February 2024.
In this episode, Holly talks about what led to the decision to exit the market as an autonomous institution, the 'red lines' determined by the Board of Governors to secure the future of its specialist provision and the role she took as Registrar and Secretary in navigating the process. She also reflects upon managing the market exit and merger alongside 'the day job', the pivotal role of legal advice and the m...2025-01-0832 minJob Shadowing HEVivi Friedgut: Life as Founder and CEO of BlackbullionVivi Friedgut is Founder and CEO of Blackbullion, the learning platform for students who want to gain control of their money. Vivi is recognised nationally as one of the top 10 tech influencers and in this episode she shares more about why she set up Blackbullion, how it has evolved and how she works with numerous institutions across the UK and beyond. She also reflects upon the current financial position of the HE sector and talks about what she would like to see looking better for students in HE by the end of the decade. Blackbullion produces regular reports for th...2024-12-1829 minJob Shadowing HERevd Ian Worsfold: Chaplaincy in a Diverse HE CommunityReverend Ian Worsfold is Coordinating Chaplain at City St George’s University of London, who, with his team of chaplains from different faiths, play a central role in supporting the pastoral needs of the highly diverse student and staff body.
In this episode, Ian discusses how the role of chaplaincy has evolved at the institution during the past ten years, considers the importance of adapting to the needs of different communities, reflects upon what it means to ‘disagree well’ in a societal era of polarisation and provides insight into the Doctoral research he’s currently undertaking to influenc...2024-12-0431 minJob Shadowing HEDr Monika Nangia: Diversifying Leadership in Professional ServicesDr Monika Nangia is Academic Registrar and Director of Student & Academic Services at Durham University. She is also leading The Power of Storytelling Project as part of the Higher Diversity Coalition. Data shows that ethnic diversity in professional services leadership - especially in student and academic services leadership - is concerningly low.
In this episode. Monika discusses her motivation for gathering stories from senior colleagues from ethnically diverse backgrounds, shares themes arising from their career experiences and discusses her vision for the future.
Please note that some of the stories may be uncomfortable to hear, bu...2024-11-2033 minJob Shadowing HEKelli Wolfe: Addressing Staff BurnoutKelli Wolfe is Deputy Academic Registrar at the University of Roehampton. In this episode, Kelli talks about her role as Deputy Academic Registrar as well as the career path that led to it. She also shares background to her recent research entitled 'The Impact of High-Performance Work Practices on Employee Burnout Experience in UK Higher Education: A Professional Services Perspective' which was published by Taylor and Francis in August 2024. Kelli additionally offers reflections on solutions to avoiding and addressing work intensity and burnout, and how these can be enacted.
2024-11-0631 minJob Shadowing HEDr David Gilani: Navigating Student Belonging and EngagementDr David Gilani is Head of Student Engagement and Advocacy at Middlesex University.
In this episode, David shares more about his leadership of, and thoughts on, student engagement and what that means to support student success. He also reflects upon his own career path to date, and how and why the student engagement professional niche has become so much more prominent across the sector in recent years. David also offers insight about the benefits of being part of an institution’s board, and looks forward to where the sector focus on student belonging needs to be in the...2024-10-2335 minJob Shadowing HEDr Diana Beech: Leading London HigherDr Diana Beech is the Chief Executive of London Higher, the largest representative body of its kind in England. In this episode, Diana shares more about the role of London Higher and the type of work that she and her team lead to support the success of HE. She also delves into her career path to date, including her time at the Higher Education Policy Institute, and at the Government's Department for Education where she supported four different Ministers of State.
This episode is kindly sponsored by Anderson Quigley which builds better leaders for a better society. They are industry experts...2024-10-0931 minJob Shadowing HEAkhil Yerneni & Claire Carter: Demystifying Executive SearchAkhil Yerneni and Claire Carter are both partners at the Executive Search firm, Anderson Quigley. In this episode, Akhil and Claire demystify the role of an executive search firm in relation to both permanent and interim roles for HE professional services and academic staff and, amongst other topics, offer advice on how and when to work with firms to maximise engagement.
This episode is kindly sponsored by the Academic Registrars Council (ARC). ARC is the national forum of senior managers responsible for the academic administration of student matters in publicly funded universities and colleges of Higher Education within the UK.
2024-09-2538 minJob Shadowing HEAndrea Bolshaw: Being An Interim
Andrea Bolshaw is an Interim Registrar and Secretary. She started her Higher Education career as a Graduate Trainee, and subsequently carved out a career path through increasingly senior positions that took her to becoming a Registrar and Secretary in a permanent role. In 2023, she took a major professional decision to leave permanent employment and move into the freelance world. Since that time, she’s been Interim Registrar and Secretary at two institutions, and in this episode she shares her experiences and reflections on life as an interim.
2024-09-1128 min
Job Shadowing HEProfessor Susannah Quinsee & Ian Anderson: 'Remembering Our Why' – Reflecting on ChangeProfessor Susannah Quinsee is Vice-President (Digital and Student Experience) at City, University of London and Ian Anderson is Principal Enterprise Architect at Ellucian. In this episode, Ian and Susannah reflect upon many of the themes that have arisen across the mini-series and consider how institutions are managing change. They draw together thoughts on how this might be done while also providing some sense of stability, consider the critical importance of building human connections, discuss the value of recognising success and milestones and provide some inspiration on why we should keep going and be proud of UK Higher Education.
2024-07-1739 minJob Shadowing HELuke Phillimore: Change is all about the peopleLuke Phillimore is Associate Director of Change at the University of Nottingham and is also the Network Coordinator for the Association of Higher Education Professionals Change Network. In this episode, Luke focuses on why people are at the core of change, the importance of empowering people through the change process and why the most relevant outcome of change is people's acceptance to adopt it. As part of this discussion, Luke also explores the role of the Lean Six Sigma methodology, how to influence people when you don't have authority and the unexpected opportunities that can arise through engaging with exter...2024-07-1033 minJob Shadowing HEKrissi Sanft: Together We Can Achieve Extraordinary OutcomesKrissi Sanft is Managing Director of Portare Solutions, a boutique consultancy firm focused on change and transformation. Portare Solutions has a strategic partnership with Ellucian to accelerate, support and enhance the transformation to Software as a Service (SaaS) student information systems for HEIs. In this episode, Krissi provides an overview of her career path and the work of Portare Solutions, reflects upon the similarities and differences in managing change in HE compared with other sectors, discusses how to keep people front and centre within the transformation process and what steps can be taken to mitigate some of the challenges...2024-07-0326 minJob Shadowing HEGreg Sheridan: Responding to a Cyber AttackGreg Sheridan is Senior Registry Digital Manager at the University of the West of Scotland. In this episode, Greg shares his experience of the cyber attack on his institution in July 2023. He explores both the rapid and longer-term change that he needed to progress to build back better the student record system, and how that process was as much about people, mindsets and decision-making, as it was about the system.
This podcast mini-series is kindly sponsored by Ellucian. Ellucian combines higher education expertise, focused innovation and deep partnership to help institutions navigate transformation. Unlock success w...2024-06-2632 min
Job Shadowing HELouise Savage: The School Perspective on University ChangeLouise Savage is Head of School Operations in the School of Education at the University of Nottingham. In this episode, Louise talks about her experience of engaging with change from a school perspective including in her roles as both a stakeholder and a leader. She explores navigating that often delicate balance of local and institutional needs, discusses how effective consultation, engagement and networks can create better outcomes and delves into why retaining the art of conversation is so important.
This podcast mini-series is kindly sponsored by Ellucian. Ellucian combines higher education expertise, focused innovation and deep partnership...2024-06-1933 minJob Shadowing HEHelen Langley: The Pivotal Role of the Project ManagerHelen Langley is Project Manager in the Change Support Unit at City, University of London. In this episode, Helen provides an overview of the projects she has and is managing at City to enhance the student experience. She also shares more about how she got into project management, offers insight into the project framework used by City and reflects upon the downs and ups of being a project manager in a fast-paced and changing environment.
This podcast mini-series is kindly sponsored by Ellucian. Ellucian combines higher education expertise, focused innovation and deep partnership to help inst...2024-06-1229 minJob Shadowing HEBen Rogers: Making a Difference for Tomorrow's PeopleBen Rogers is Director of Registry Services at Cardiff Metropolitan University and is also Chair of the UK's Academic Registrars Council. In this episode, Ben talks about being the co-sponsor of an institution-wide change project at Cardiff Met to review student journey processes from enrolment through to graduation and the implementation of a new student records system. He shares background to the project, its costs and benefits and the approach to getting buy-in. He also delves into supporting colleagues through change, including his approach to communication and engagement as well as supporting himself through the more challenging moments of change. ...2024-06-0528 minJob Shadowing HEProfessor Mairi Watson: Readiness for ChangeProfessor Mairi Watson is Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire, prior to which she was Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience. In this episode, Mairi offers a senior leadership perspective of leading change, the importance of ambition, the scope for taking risks and being brave, and why supporting colleagues' readiness for change is such a vital part of leading change well.
This podcast mini-series is kindly sponsored by Ellucian. Ellucian combines higher education expertise, focused innovation and deep partnership to help institutions navigate transformation. Unlock success with the com...2024-05-2929 minJob Shadowing HEYemi Gbajobi: Changing LivesYemi Gbajobi is the Chief Executive Officer of Arts Students' Union at the University of the Arts London. In this episode, Yemi talks about her role and career path, discusses the pushes and pulls of the relationship between students' unions and universities, shares how she navigates the intersectionality of being a younger, Black, female leader in Higher Education, reflects upon how she learns from working with other organisations, and considers how to plan for students of the future.
This episode is kindly sponsored by Blackbullion, the platform for students to learn about money and apply for more money in the UK’s lar...2024-05-0842 minJob Shadowing HERachel Reeds: Thriving in HE Professional ServicesRachel Reeds is Senior Admissions Manager at Anglia Ruskin University. In this episode, Rachel talks about about the twists and turns of her career path, discusses the lynchpin role admissions professionals play in supporting students' HE journeys, shares her views on authentic leadership and provides insight into what she's gained from studying on the PG Certificate in HE Administration Management and Leadership run by AHEP.
Rachel also tells more about the book that she has written to support HE professionals, due to be published in the coming months.
This episode is kindly sponsored by Blackbullion, the platform...2024-04-2428 minJob Shadowing HEKerry Matthews: Never Forget... Why You Do The Job You DoKerry Matthews is Chief Student Officer at the University of Surrey, and holds strategic leadership responsibility for the seamless student journey. In this episode, Kerry shares insight into her role and career path to date, talks about her approach to leading cultural aspects of change, delves into what it's like to be a member of a University Executive Board and reflects upon why it's important to never forget why you do the job you do.
2024-04-1030 minJob Shadowing HEJohn Schless: It's all about the Student ExperienceJohn Schless is Head of Student Experience at the Royal College of Art.
In this episode, John shares his leadership experience at the Royal College of Art as well as the transition to his current post from previously being Chief Executive of the Students' Union at the University of Greenwich. With the benefit of leading the student experience from 'both sides', and having perspectives from a large post-92 Students' Union, a world-leading postgraduate specialist medium-sized institution as well as an earlier career background in fundraising, John explores leading through change, the importance of influence and his ultimate motivation in making a diff...2024-03-2731 minJob Shadowing HERebecca O'Hare: Student Accommodation - it's not just a roomRebecca O'Hare is Deputy Director of Residential Services at the University of Leeds. In this episode, Rebecca shares more about how student accommodation is a central part of the student experience, talks about her career path in different types of student accommodation jobs and highlights the role she took in response to the national Living Black at University report, commissioned by Unite Students and carried out by Halpin Partnership. Rebecca also discusses how her background in fine art influences her approach at work, and how social media has supported her professional presence and development.
This episode is kind...2024-03-1331 minJob Shadowing HEAshleigh Hope & James Rew: Accessing Our ConservatoiresAshleigh Hope is Head of Access and Participation at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and James Rew is Access and Participation Manager at Leeds Conservatoire.
In this episode, Ashleigh and James discuss the HE conservatoire setting, the benefits of working in a small specialist institution and how they have each developed their access and participation career paths to date. They also look at the backdrop of leading access and participation work in conservatoires when there is significant declining opportunity for young people to access early performing arts experiences in parts of the primary and secondary state education sector. 2024-02-2831 minJob Shadowing HEJosh Gulrajani: The Art and Science of HE PlanningJosh Gulrajani is Director of Planning, Performance and Student Statutory Returns at Aston University.
In this episode, Josh explains the remit of a planning director and, with my episode co-host HE consultant David Marks, delves into the topics of student number planning, the broader planning process and recent sector experience of Data Futures. Josh also shares his career path so far, discusses the value of engaging with wider professional activities and offers advice on getting into the planning profession.
This episode is kindly sponsored by Dixon Walter. Dixon Walter is a Search and Selection Firm devoted to the appointment of outstanding...2024-02-1432 minJob Shadowing HEJulie Kelly and Lesley O’Keeffe: The Balancing Act of the Academic RegistrarJulie Kelly is Academic Registrar at the University of Hertfordshire and Lesley O'Keeffe is Registrar at Brunel University. They are also both members of the Executive Committee of the Academic Registrars Council, the national body that represents the profession.
In this episode, Julie and Lesley explore the vast and pivotal role of the Academic Registrar in supporting the student journey, the variations in roles and titles across the sector, their different routes into Higher Education careers and how you create line-management relationships with subject experts. They also offer advice to colleagues who may aspire to be an Academic Registrar in th...2024-01-3124 minJob Shadowing HEAlison Benson: Under the Bonnet of University Governance ManagementAlison Benson is Strategic Planning Manager (Governance) at the University of Leicester. She has worked in Higher Education since 2016 and currently leads a team that manages the top-level corporate and academic governance of the university.
In this episode, Alison explores the purpose of university governance, what's involved in its effective management and how you know if it's working well. She also shares wider aspects of her professional life including navigating part-time working in a predominately full-time HE culture and the leading role she is taking in the sector to support governance professionals in their career pathways. 2024-01-1731 minJob Shadowing HEVictoria Holbrook: Engaging the HE SectorVictoria Holbrook is Assistant Director (Consulting, Governance and Insight) at Advance HE, which is a member-led charity that works with partners across the globe to improve higher education for staff, students and society.
In this episode, Victoria shares her career path through roles in organisations that support the HE community, discusses why good engagement with stakeholders matters and provides insight to the expertise she brings to help HEIs with problem-solving; she also offers views on the challenges facing the sector, and shares tips on how to get into her type of job.2024-01-0324 minJob Shadowing HEJamie Jones: Building a new university from the ground upJamie Jones is Vice-Principal (Operations and Infrastructure) at ARU Peterborough, a new £30 million university that opened its doors to its first students in September 2022. Jamie has worked in Higher Education for over 20 years.
In this episode, he shares his leadership involvement in setting up a new institution, discusses why he was attracted to the opportunity, uncovers his career path to date, talks through his working life now - including his approach to work-life balance, and offers advice on how to progress into executive operational roles.
2023-12-1337 minJob Shadowing HESelina Hannaford: What exactly is a Chief Of Staff?Selina Hannaford is Chief of Staff at City, University of London. She has worked in Higher Education for 20 years and during part of that time has been the Chief of Staff to four different Vice-Chancellors or Presidents.
In this episode, Selina shares her career journey to date, sheds light on what a Chief of Staff does, uncovers the importance of the working relationship between a Chief of Staff and a Vice-Chancellor, discusses the importance of authentic leadership and offers advice on how to get into the Chief of Staff role.
2023-11-2931 minJob Shadowing HEThe Job Shadowing HE Trailer: Coming Soon!Susannah Marsden introduces her new podcast, Job Shadowing HE, where guests from across the Higher Education sector talk about their roles, their career paths and how to get in and get on in those jobs.
2023-11-0800 min
All Things Cardio-OncologyDr. Susannah Stanway: Cardio-Oncology in lower and middle income countriesDr. Susannah Stanway Consultant in Medical Oncology in the Breast Unit at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust speaks about her work in cardio-oncology including her involvement with lower and middle income nations.
Information about the London Global Cancer Week can be found here: https://www.lgcw.org.uk/
Article: "Baseline cardiovascular risk assessment in cancer patients: Cardio‐Oncology Study Group of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology in collaboration with the International Cardio‐Oncology Society" https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ejhf.1920 2020-07-2824 min
Oh God, What Now?Apodcalypse Now: Remainiacs Live in London 17 Dec 2019We got knocked down but we’ll get up again. Join the panel of REMAINIACS for our last live show of 2019 and our last full podcast of the decade – recorded onstage in London’s Leicester Square Theatre on Tuesday 17 December.It’s election post-mortem time but there’s no room for misery. How did the Remain parties blow it so spectacularly? Was it really all down to Corbyn’s massive turn-off factor? Where should Remain’s tattered but unbowed legions put their energies now? And what awaits in the 2020s?Plus our panel play one final...2019-12-201h 42