The Governing Body comprises of four members (Company Directors). These are:
The Chairperson and Non-Executive Director
Professor Helen Higson
Helen is an external member, independent of NUKH, who acts as Chairperson to the Governing Body and provides necessary leadership and diplomacy skills and is capable and willing to hold the directors and executive team to account.
Until 1st March 2021 Helen was Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Aston University, a role she held for more than ten years. She is now Professor of Higher Education Learning and Management in Aston Business School. Helen is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE, and a National Teaching Fellow. She is a trained Executive Coach, specialising in helping organisations align their workforce, structure, and systems with their strategy. Her recent research, policy and consultancy work includes intercultural training, employability, and skills development, facilitating a coaching culture, closing the degree attainment gap. Helen serves on a number of regional and national boards, including Ravensbourne University London, the Society for Research in Higher Education (SRHE), and the Ikon contemporary art gallery. Helen was awarded an OBE in 2011 for services to Higher Education. In September 2020 she was appointed Vice Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands.
Non-Executive Director (Deputy Chairperson) and Independent Member
Christopher Wood
Chris is an external member, independent of NUKH, who provides independent insight, perspective and appropriate challenge to the Governing Body, and also acts as Chairperson to the Risk and Audit Committee.
Chris qualified as a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young in 1990 and has since worked in senior finance and leadership positions with a wide range of public, private, and not-for-profit organisations both in the UK and overseas. Most recently, as CEO and managing director, Chris led businesses operating in the education and business service sectors. Chris is currently the Bursar, and a Fellow, of St Hilda’s College, Oxford. He also sits as a non-executive director and audit committee chairman for Publica Group, which provides public services on behalf of local authorities, and as an independent member of the audit and risk committees of the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Architects Registration Board. Alongside these roles, Chris is a chartered marketer and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Director and CEO, Navitas University Partnerships Europe (UPE), and COO, Navitas Global
Paul Lovegrove
Paul is CEO of Navitas UPE and is accountable officer for the NUKH provider level registration with the OfS. Paul leads on strategy and overall performance of the UPE Division.
Director and Executive General Manager, Finance, Navitas University Partnerships Europe (UPE)
Rachel Wilkinson
Rachel is the Executive General Manager for financial operations providing financial diligence and relevant qualification to the Governing Body. Rachel also holds membership on the NUKH Risk and Audit Committee.