Our people

The Sustainability Strategy Group (SSG) advises the University Executive Group on the strategic direction, planning and implementation of the Leadership in Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy (2022-2026). Its implementation is related to four key areas:

• Sustainability in leadership
• Academic innovation and impact
• Campus and practices
• Engagement and partnerships

The group is led by the University’s Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve Rothberg. It’s membership includes senior leaders from academic and professional services directorates, the Students’ Union, a recognised Trade Union representative, and three co-opted staff and student members. Find out more about the Sustainability Strategy Group’s purpose. 

Group members 2024/25

• Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Chair), Professor Steve Rothberg.
• Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sustainability, Professor Liz Price.
• Head of Environment and Sustainability, Lachlan Fulton.
• Assistant Director FM and Sustainability, Damion Shaw.
• Faculty Director of Education (nominated by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor  Education), Peter Wolstencroft.
• Faculty Director of Research and Innovation (nominated by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research), Professor Paul Dewick.
• Faculty Head of International (nominated by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor International), Dr Rachelle Viader-Knowles.
• Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Hewitt.
• Chief People Officer nominee, Heather Adkins-Whitehead.
• Director of External Relations nominee, Ian Christon. 
• Students’ Union President, Leila Enoki. 
• Co-opted professional services staff member, Laura Stoker. 
• Co-opted academic staff member, Sophie Bessant.  
• Co-opted student member, Eva Nikolova.
• Trade Union member, Dr Lucy Burke.

The Estate Strategy Group (ESG) advises the University Executive Group on the University’s Estate Strategy and Estate Masterplan. It takes into account the overall strategic direction of the University and its linkage to environmental sustainability, including:

• the delivery of building projects aligned with the University’s zero carbon targets and aspirations.
• Our carbon management plan. 

The group approves capital and revenue investments for estate projects up to a value of £1m and makes recommendations on estate projects costing over that value.

Groups members 

• Chief Operating Officer (Chair).
• Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
• Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education.
• Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange.
• Pro-Vice-Chancellor International. 
• Director of Strategic Planning. 
• Chief Finance Officer.
• Chief Property Officer.
• Legal Service representative (nominated by the Director of Legal Services).
• Finance representative (nominated by the Chief Finance Officer).
• Assistant Director of Capital Development. 
• Assistant Director of Estates Management.
• Assistant Director of Property and Space Management. 
• Students’ Union President or nominee.

The People, Finance and Resources Committee is one of four Board of Governors Committee groups. 

One of the primary functions of the group is to consider and advise the Board of Governors or determine, as appropriate, the University’s strategies relating to a range of issues, including the Leadership in Sustainability strategy. 

Find out more about out Board of Governors.

The Responsible Futures (RF) Group leads a range of activities to embed environmental sustainability and social responsibility into formal and informal learning and research across the University. They are responsible for maintaining and improving our Responsible Futures accreditation.

The group is led by Professor Liz Price MBE, the University Deputy-Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability. Its membership consists of staff from the University and the Students’ Union and two student representatives. 

Group members 2024/25

• Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sustainability and Chair, Professor Liz Price
• Student RF Project Assistant, Portia Flynn 
• Faculty of Arts and Humanities representatives, Clare McTurk and Keith Crome
• Faculty of Business and Law representative, Roz Marron.
• Faculty of Health and Education representative, Maz Erskine-Shaw
• Faculty of Science and Engineering representatives, Rachel Dunk
• University Education Innovation Scholar, Theresa Nicholson
• Sustainability Manager, Sophie Leigh
• Community Engagement Manager, Tom Chew
• Technical Services representative, Lindsay Smith
• University Teaching Academy representative, Nicola Grayson
• Rise representative, Matt Carney
• Campus Trade Union representative, Lucy Burke
• Students’ Union President, Leila Enoki
• Students’ Union Head of People, Lesley Edwards
• Students’ Union Membership Development Manager, Hannah Snape
• Students’ Union Project Officer, Phoebe Bristow

It’s imperative that we create opportunities to engage our students in strategic decision-making across the University, and particularly in relation to sustainable development issues. Our students and staff participate in a wide range of committees and groups concerned with planning, resourcing and strategic decision-making to progress sustainable development issues, as well as in the development and ongoing oversight of the of the University’s Carbon Management Plan and Leadership in Sustainability Strategy (2022-2026).                   

As such, our students are represented at a wide range of executive, governing body level,  and committee group meetings, including the Sustainability Strategy Group, Estates Strategy Group, Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Group, Equality, Diversity and and Inclusion Strategy Board, Responsible Futures Group, Academic Board, Education Committee and Board of Governors.                                              

The Sustainability Strategy Group (SSG) is an example of this, advising the University Executive Group on the strategic direction for the Leadership in Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy as related to its four key areas (Leadership, Academic Innovation and Impact, Campus (estates) and Practices, and Engagement and Partnerships). The SSG and its membership is made of senior leaders from a wide range of academic and professional services departments, and student representatives including the  Students’ Union elected president or nominee, and three co-opted staff and student member positions.                                            

The Estate Strategy Group (ESG) advise the University Executive Group on the Estate Strategy and Estate Masterplan, taking into account the overall strategic direction of the University and linkage to environmental sustainability, including the delivery of building projects aligned with the University’s zero carbon targets and aspirations, and its Carbon Management Plan. Student representative on the ESG include the Students’ Union elected President or nominee.               

Find out more about student representation on University committees.

This group coordinates and has oversight of the University’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (MHWS) action plan. It ensures that mental health and wellbeing are embedded in our other strategies and activities that may impact mental health and wellbeing.

They advise the People Strategy Board by considering the overall strategic direction of our links to:

• UK Healthy Universities Guide
• Suicide-Safer Universities
• Student Minds
• Mental Health at Work Commitment
• other relevant guidance and best practices

The group is led by our Director of Human Resources. Its membership is made of senior leaders from a wide range of academic and professional services departments, the Students’ Union, and two co-opted staff members. 

We have five networks providing a voice for our employees to engage with and consult on EDI-related matters. Members have an opportunity to put forward their views, at a time and in a way that influences the process of making decisions and helps develop effective solutions.

The University has five networks covering:

• disability
• gender
• rainbow LGBTQIA+
• race 
• working parents and carers