Pen profiles of nominees

The following people are standing for election to the Board of Trustees

Office holders

James Crooks - nominated for the position of UCISA Chair CIO Durham University

Pen Profile

James is currently the Chief Information Officer at Durham University. He joined Durham in February 2023 bringing over 20 years’ experience in technology leadership roles across Higher Education, Financial Services, and UK Government, most recently as Director of Learning and Information Services for the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). James has served on the Board of Trustees of UCISA since June 2022.

Please describe how your experience will support UCISA delivering the strategic plan

A key challenge for all organisations is that digital, technology, systems and data are no longer solely the responsibility of the IT team. These are all enterprise-wide capabilities that must be embraced, owned, and used by everyone, and I look to bring colleagues, students, researchers and partners together to enable, build, and grow this digital capability. I truly believe that the organisations who can openly acknowledge and embed this understanding across their communities and culture, are the ones who have the most to gain – whether through increased market share, adopting new and different business models, or simply the flexibility to scale their operations up or down with ease, and at pace. The digital age brings such significant, but often untapped, potential for transformation across all areas of business, education and research, but must be managed and enabled through appropriate levels of strategic control, security and governance.

I have written several IT and Digital strategies and plans, which have encompassed all of the above areas and have very much shared the same underlying values and guiding principles of UCISA’s strategic plan.

I have always been a passionate advocate of the enabling capabilities of digital technology, and can confidently articulate, present, and share this with people and groups of all levels of experience, status, and understanding. I have delivered presentations on a range of topics – including digital skills, recruitment and retention, cyber security, and digital strategy - to senior leadership teams, external suppliers, and communities at various organisations, conferences and other events both nationally and internationally, and would be keen to continue to support these opportunities for sharing and advocacy in my role as trustee. My leadership style acknowledges the importance of balancing authority and confidence, with humility and service, which is essential in any organisation but particularly so in Higher Education, where so many of our colleagues are proven experts - often world-leaders - within their field. I believe this balanced and customer-centric approach, continues to serve me well in tangibly leading and building relationships based on trust and confidence, in the wider sector community.  

Please describe your motivation for applying to be a UCISA Trustee or USL Director:

I have applied for the role of Chair of UCISA for a number of reasons, but having had the pleasure of serving as trustee for three years, my primary motivation is to continue to play my part I can in supporting, enabling, and influencing positive change across the sector. This remains one of the most exciting times to be a technology leader, nor has there been a greater opportunity for technology to enable innovation and change across education. With the ongoing financial crisis the sector faces, which is arguably its biggest challenge to date, UCISA’s role in supporting collaboration and transformative opportunities, has never been more important. As Chair I believe I can make a valuable contribution in leading the Board of Trustees to realising the potential that our community has to deliver positive change for students, our colleagues, our technology partners, and the UK education sector as a whole. I believe my skills and experience will allow me to help support Deborah, our fellow trustees, team UCISA, and our various collaborative groups, to deliver the strategic plan and continue to develop and grow UCISA in the best interests of its members.

James Smith - nominated for the position of deputy UCISA Chair CIO Middlesex University

Pen profile

I am a firm believer in the power of education to transform lives, and proud to play a part in that effort. I have spent my entire career working in and around the use of technology to support Higher Education and am currently Chief Information Officer at Middlesex University.

I previously served as Chief Information Officer for Birkbeck, University of London, where I was responsible for ensuring Information Services (incorporating Library and IT Services) supported teaching, research, and the management and administration of the enterprise.

My earlier career background is in business analysis, project management and the design, build, implementation and support of corporate information systems. I’ve been involved with UCISA for the last decade – for much of it as a member of the UCISA CISG committee – which I chaired from 2021-2025. I have served as an elected UCISA trustee since 2021. In my work with UCISA to date I have helped to organise and present at events, organised and chaired webinars, and lead representation work on behalf of the sector on areas of common interest.

I think UCISA is a critically important part of our corner of the HE sector. Whilst successive government policy shifts have encouraged our institutions to be more competitive, the value of the collaborative spirit fostered by UCISA – providing networking, (at times ‘group therapy’), information sharing, skills development, and collective action on issues of shared concern - is immense. It has been a privilege therefore to volunteer as a trustee for the organisation, and I hope to support it continuing to flourish into the future as Deputy Chair.

Please describe how your experience will support UCISA delivering the strategic plan

I have significant experience of digital transformation and technology management in the Higher Education sector – having worked in this area for nearly 20 years. As such I have experienced the value that UCISA brings to the sector – to share knowledge and expertise, and to support colleagues working across institutions. In many cases UCISA provides an essential support network – many of those working in IT in our institutions will not necessarily find others in their own organisations who understand the difficulties and frustrations they face – but they can and do find them via UCISA in similar roles at other institutions.

I have worked ‘at the coal face’ in business analysis, project management, business systems architecture, design, implementation and support. In more recent years, in more senior positions I have been responsible for driving technology strategy development and implementation – and injecting the potential of digital technologies into top level institutional strategy. In my current role I am a member of the executive leadership team, and have significant interaction with the governing body – giving me an appreciation of the wider context in which our organisations operate and the opportunities both perceived and actual (not always the same) for the use of technology.

I have worked as CIO in two UCISA member institutions – with responsibility for 120+ staff in each, and have managed project teams spanning organisations, and understand that clear, accurate, open and honest interactions with colleagues are essential to ensure both delivery of required business outcomes, but also job satisfaction for those involved.

In addition to my technical and leadership experience, I believe I have a good set of communication skills, and have frequently presented on these topics at a range of UCISA events.

I believe I understand UCISA’s strategic vision – both appreciating its importance for our sector and individuals working with technology in it – and that my skills would also be useful as a trustee of the organisation in delivering this vision.

Please describe your motivation for applying to be a ucisa Trustee or USL Director:

As already stated, my primary motivation for standing for election as UCISA Deputy Chair is that I value the experiences, support and opportunities UCISA has provided me, and the organisation I work for, over many years – and I am keen to continue to support it in this way to ensure that it is able to continue, and further develop this work going forwards. I have enjoyed my 4 years serving as an elected trustee and am keen to continue serving on the board of trustees.

Nominees for the one elected position on the UCISA Board of Trustees

Karen Bates Deputy Chief Digital and Information Officer London Business School

Pen profile

With a varied career spanning over 30 years, I have dedicated the last decade to driving transformative change within the Higher Education sector, following nearly two decades in Local Government. As a leader in Digital and Organisational Transformation Programmes for 15 years, I possess deep expertise in Programme Leadership, Change Management, and Contract Management.

My academic pursuits saw me complete an MBA in Strategic Leadership (2020) and an Executive Education Programme at London Business School (2023) focused on Women in Leadership, I have s strong commitment to continuous personal and professional growth, and working in the technology discipline, there is always something to learn!

I am passionate about fostering a collaborative and coaching environment, empowering my teams and organisation to achieve success through strong and positive leadership. Drawing from my experience in leading efficiency programmes in local government, I have successfully introduced new approaches to deliver high-quality services in the Higher Education sector cost-effectively. In the current environment, and challenging geopolitical landscape, I am dedicated to ensuring the sector navigates its financial challenges by promoting collaboration and innovation.

I believe that by cultivating strong, trusted relationships within Higher and Further Education, UCISA can amplify its influence as the sector's voice. I am committed to pursuing what is right, even when it is not the easiest path, embracing new challenges to expand my networks and capabilities. My passion lies in motivating others to reach and exceed their potential and am committed to enhancing DEI activities within the technology sector in Higher Education, both to attract and develop diverse talent.

Beyond my professional role, I regularly mentor through a charity called The Girls Network, and the Black Employee Network within London Business School.

Please describe how your experience will support UCISA delivering the strategic plan

With over 15 years of leadership experience spanning both the Higher Education and Local Government sectors, I have navigated the complexities of advancing the digital agenda, particularly in the post-COVID era where demand has surged alongside investment challenges for many institutions. Since 2022, I have had the privilege of serving on the Board of Trustees for UCISA, collaborating with the Board and Leadership Team to ensure robust representation and support for our members. My insights from several years at the University of Portsmouth and 3.5 years at London Business School have allowed me to engage and influence board discussions, offering diverse perspectives on shared challenges.

Collaborative efforts within the sector allow institutions facing similar challenges to collectively influence the market, evident in UCISA's expanding representation work, now reaching international levels. I am eager to leverage my commercial and contract management expertise to support this growing body of work, helping UCISA harness its collective influence to effect meaningful change. My career has involved leading multi-million-pound programmes, often with complex shared service structures or tri-partite agreements, and I have successfully led bids to central government and facilitated their delivery. With a background in business and digital transformation, I aim to support UCISA's growth and achievement of outstanding results for the sector.

A key area I've contributed to is addressing the challenge of attracting and retaining highly skilled technical professionals, as highlighted in UCISA's vision for professional development and collective expertise enhancement. After actively shaping the UCISA / HAYS Academy, I've witnessed the benefits of this unique programme, including a graduate joining our cyber security team earlier this year. Over the past year, I've supported fellow Trustees and the UCISA team by participating in various events, panels, and talks. A highlight was contributing to the Best of British reporter series following UCISA's award, discussing with James Crooks and Paul Butler the crucial topic of why a CIO needs a seat at the top table.

Sharing my passion for the Higher Education sector and the pivotal role technology professionals play in institutional success is a core reason I fully embrace the opportunity to support UCISA as a Trustee.

Please describe your motivation for applying to be a UCISA Trustee or USL Director:

Having had the privilege to be a co-opted member of the Board of Trustees for the last three years, I put myself forward a fourth time, in full appreciation of the commitment and time it takes. I believe I have added value to the Board over the last three years, bringing helpful challenge and support as needed. I have been able to support events and special interest groups, working with the established Trustees in positioning UCISA as the voice of the sector. Over the last year much has been achieved, and the year to come will be equally demanding and exciting, but I am approaching in the knowledge of the value I can bring.

I wish to continue to have the opportunity to develop the approach to our collective talent shortages, and to be able to continue to drive our DEI efforts. I believe my background in both the Local Government Sector and Higher Education, as well as not being a pure technologist, but a grounding across a range of disciplines can continue to add value, more so as we navigate significant financial and economic instability.

Another motivation for applying again to be considered for a position on the Board of Trustees is to have the privileged opportunity to work closely with a team of experienced CIOs, collaborating on behalf of the sector. I am sure I will continue to learn and grow whilst giving back to the sector and organisation that has provided so much growth within my career to date.

Simon Corbett CIO Northumbria University

 Pen Profile

Simon leads Digital, Technology & Transformation Services, the team responsible for all technology and transformational change across Northumbria University, keeping staff and students connected, working collaboratively, and unlocking potential in a digital world.

As Chief Information Officer, Simon provides strategic leadership and management of the University’s Digital, Technology & Transformation service. He works closely with the University Executive to shape and deliver the University Vision, Strategy and supporting plans.

As a member of Northumbria’s University Executive, Simon supports colleagues as to how technology can support the achievement of organisational wide ambitions, providing resilient infrastructure enabling business outcomes around teaching, research, and Knowledge Exchange.

Prior to joining Northumbria, Simon was a Senior Manager at Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Prior to 2005 Simon ran his own privately owned software development company based in Newcastle upon Tyne and Houston, Texas.

Please describe how your experience will support UCISA delivering the strategic plan:

I have been CIO at Northumbria for six years and prior to that working in IT for over 25 years across various sectors. I have written IT and digital strategies, as well as led large scale transformation projects across offshore oil and gas, construction, financial services, government and higher education and so bring an experience broader than just education. Hopefully over the last year as a trustee I have demonstrated my knowledge, collaboration and professionalism and how I can support UCISA to drive and deliver its strategic plan.

Please describe your motivation for applying to be a ucisa Trustee or USL Director:

Having been a UCISA trustee for the last twelve months I feel I have added value, providing guidance and support and being part of representation groups. I have therefore seen the value of being a trustee in helping the wider sector and the change that can make for the better across Higher Education. Personally, I appreciate the insight being a trustee provides and the collaboration with my peers who are similarly motivated.

Nathalie Czechowski CIO University of South Wales

Pen Profile

Originally from France, I relocated to the United Kingdom upon completing my studies with the aim of improving my English language proficiency—a choice that ultimately led to my permanent settlement and career development in the UK. My professional journey encompasses a variety of experiences across multiple corporate sectors, including positions at Nestlé and Mondi Packaging. In 1999, I transitioned into the Higher Education sector as a programmer.

My career has been characterized by the development of leadership skills and an understanding of the importance of diversity within teams to achieve successful outcomes. Collaboration with UCISA, in various capacities, has illustrated the impact of its collaborative approach on the sector. Over time, I have observed the benefits of collective working. UCISA is a significant institution that leverages the sector's voice to address challenges collectively, which would be difficult to tackle individually. This improves the overall outcome for both the sector and the institution. Being part of UCISA offers the opportunity to support the sector as a whole. Engagement with UCISA has facilitated my professional growth and encouraged me to embrace challenges, contributing to my development as an executive leader.

As a Chief Information Officer within the Higher Education sector, I am dedicated to driving strategic digital transformation aimed at achieving business outcomes, reducing costs, and facilitating overall transformation. My commitment to Higher Education is deeply rooted in my passion for its core values, including the commitment to widening participation.

I possess extensive expertise in developing and implementing digital strategies that are responsive to potential policy changes in the UK and Wales. Our latest strategy focuses on creating seamless, connected communities of learning and working, both online and offline. This strategy leverages emerging technologies to foster authentic and immersive learning experiences, advances our smart campus initiative to deliver personalised experiences, reduce costs, and support the university’s sustainability commitments—all while ensuring a safe and secure environment. I am leading our transition towards a connected data environment that supports predictive and prescriptive analytics, which is critical for enhancing student success, reducing overheads, and achieving carbon neutrality. Due to current financial challenges, at USW we are re-architecting our infrastructure to transform our infrastructure into a commodity model, reducing our overall expenditure by £1 million per year. IThese initiatives address common challenges within the sector, positioning me to contribute significantly to UCISA’s mission to guide the sector through these challenges.

My leadership style is distinguished by strong interpersonal skills, which have been vital in establishing and sustaining high-performing, motivated teams within a multicultural, fast-paced global environment. I advocate for a culture of transparency, trust, constructive critique, and innovation. As a proficient communicator, I excel in conveying complex information across various levels and routinely lead discussions on sensitive and demanding topics as the chair of the Digital Strategy Board.

My extensive professional network, both domestic and international, underscores my active participation in cross-university committees and international projects. Serving as a member of the UA IT group, a board member for the UKK/JISC Software negotiation, and a trustee of UCISA for the past three years, I offer a wealth of expertise that I am keen to utilize in advancing UCISA’s strategic objectives, particularly in steering intricate dialogues concerning supplier relations and cyber essentials.

Please describe how your experience will support UCISA delivering the strategic plan

With over 14 years of dedication as a member of the CISG committee, including two years of leadership, and my recent role as a UCISA trustee, I have been deeply involved in shaping the framework and strategic direction of our sector. My tenure in CISG was marked by the development of a comprehensive skills matrix and unified job descriptions, alongside a review of our operating methodologies. This period also saw the orchestration of numerous events aimed at addressing the pressing challenges of our sector.

My commitment to fostering a united sector is driven by a strong belief in the collective benefits it can yield. This belief has motivated me to engage with various action groups, including Blackbaud, TC Global, and skills development initiatives, focusing on resolving the specific issues our sector faces. My involvement ensured that we maintained a Welsh perspective and contributed positively towards successful outcomes for the benefit of all involved.

In my role within the Welsh IT group HEWIT, I have taken a leading stance on critical cybersecurity challenges. I led the development of a proposal to circumvent an impasse concerning the delivery of new Welsh NHS education provisions, necessitating cybersecurity essentials compliance. This proposal, developed through close collaboration with the Welsh NHS for Education and through leading targeted workshops, was successfully accepted, allowing institutions a four-year window to meet cybersecurity requirements. I am also taking the lead on exploring opportunities for collaboration and potential for shared services.

Collaboration is a core principle of our IT department, as demonstrated by our cloud migration initiative. After presenting our strategy to the sector and addressing numerous inquiries, we organised workshops with other universities, including Bath Spa, to address common challenges collectively. We have also shared our future plans with a broader group of universities at a meeting in Greenwich this year. The next phase of our strategy involves developing working relationships with other universities such as Huddersfield and Swansea, identifying areas where resources can be shared, such as desktops as a service.

Furthermore, as a member of the University Alliance (UA) IT director's group and a representative for USW in UA's Teaching & Learning committee, I demonstrate my passion for education and our sector's advancement. This role ensures I remain well-informed about new policy proposals and their potential impacts, thus facilitating the effective delivery of our digital services. I also serve on the UUK/JISC Software negotiation board, where I am an active participant.

Inclusivity remains a pivotal challenge within our industry, prompting me to implement improvements to our recruitment processes, such as providing interview questions in advance, based on insights gained at a UCISA leadership conference. My commitment extends to promoting STEM among young girls, supporting female-focused cybersecurity activities, and developing a three-year graduate scheme to enhance IT talent.

Please describe your motivation for applying to be a UCISA Trustee or USL Director:

My motivation to apply for the trustee position at UCISA stems from a deep sense of collegiality and a profound appreciation for the invaluable experiences gained through my close collaboration with UCISA over the years. Eager to contribute back to the sector and to UCISA itself, I am enthusiastic about embracing greater responsibilities within the organisation. Serving as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at USW for the past six years has not only equipped me with a solid understanding of our sector's challenges and opportunities but has also afforded me the time and capacity required to fulfil the demands of this role effectively.

I believe my accumulated experience positions me well to support and guide the strategic direction of UCISA, while simultaneously presenting me with a stimulating opportunity to further my own professional growth. My commitment to the organization and the sector is driven by a desire to leverage my skills and insights to foster UCISA's continued success and to contribute meaningfully to its mission of enhancing the impact and effectiveness of technology in education.

Iain McCracken Director of Service Delivery London School of Economics and Political Science

Pen profile

First and foremost, Iain is a dedicated family man, husband to Becky, father to Rose and Mae, stepfather to Phoebe, and devoted walker of Caius the dog (who, unlike the rest of the family, listens to him most of the time).

An experienced IT professional, Iain is celebrating 20 years in digital technology this year, a milestone that makes him feel both proud and slightly older than he’d like to admit. His career began in the Kent and Medway Health Informatics Service (NHS) before he transitioned to Higher Education in 2015. Since then, he has held leadership roles spanning award-winning service management, operational leadership, and strategic delivery. In 2022, he joined the University of Sussex as Assistant Director, IT Infrastructure, before taking on his current role as Director of Service Delivery at the London School of Economics (LSE) in 2024. Here, he has the privilege (and occasional challenge) of shaping a globally leading service management function within IT and beyond.

Passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, Iain uses his experience, and privilege to support the next generation of technology professionals. He delivers presentations to young adults in local colleges, teaches specialist service management content at university level, and champions engagement with digital technology from underrepresented demographics. Outside the digital world, he plays rugby and volunteers as a rugby coach for a local youth team, with a particular focus on increasing girls and young women’s participation in the sport. Working with a fantastic team he is delivering of a clear player pathway to the senior game.

Iain has been an active member of UCISA for over eight years, previously serving as Vice Chair of the Support Services Group (SSG). During this time, he has chaired the annual support services conference, led numerous webinars, and contributed to the UCISA Building on Success strategic plan. A true champion of the sector, he is passionate about the value of collaboration in connecting and transforming the higher education IT community.

Since being co-opted as a UCISA Trustee, Iain has played a key role in initiatives that drive sector-wide impact, including:

• Representation – Elected as lead Trustee to support UCISA's sector-wide engagement, notably in negotiations with VMWare/Broadcom.
• Continual Professional Development – Helped launch UCISA’s mentoring scheme and continues to mentor two fantastic digital leaders from across the sector.
• Enterprise Service Management (ESM) Community of Practice – Leading the charge to establish a dedicated space for ESM professionals to share expertise (and occasionally vent about service management woes).
• Corporate Membership Engagement – Frequently chairs events with UCISA corporate members, ensuring their contributions support the wider UCISA community.
• Social Secretary – An unofficial but highly rewarding role, ensuring UCISA events maintain a healthy balance of professional networking and extracurricular fun.

Beyond the world of higher education, Iain is also a trustee of a local school and a member of a multi-academy trust, where he has the dubious honour of influencing decisions on educational policies, curriculum development, and strategic business direction.

Authentic, driven, and ever-so-slightly caffeine-fuelled, Iain is committed to making a tangible impact in both his professional and personal life. With a leadership style that blends strategic thinking, humour, and an unwavering belief in sector-wide collaboration, he continues to be a passionate advocate for UCISA and the higher education IT community.

Please describe how your experience will support UCISA delivering the strategic plan

Early in my career, I established my personal values—values that continue to guide me in both my personal and professional life. These values align closely with those of UCISA. Below is a summary of my ‘TOPCAT’ values:

• Teamwork - Working collaboratively and effectively with others towards a common goal.
• Openness - Being receptive, transparent, and willing to communicate honestly.
• Passion - Driven by a strong sense of purpose and enjoyment in my work.
• Collaboration - Sharing ideas, knowledge, and responsibilities to maximise contributions.
• Accountability - Taking responsibility for actions and decisions, both individually and collectively.
• Trustworthiness - Building and maintaining strong relationships based on mutual respect and dependability.

Given this strong alignment in values and purpose, I was naturally drawn to the UCISA community when I joined the higher education sector in 2015. Since joining the Support Services Group in 2018, I have valued every interaction with peers across the sector. Supporting UCISA’s strategic delivery both as a co-opted trustee and as vice chair of the Support Services Group has been an absolute pleasure, and it would be an honour to continue for at least another 12 months to further influence the sector as a trustee.

UCISA enables the HE/FE sector to harness a unique collective voice, and its commitment to open collaboration remains a true strength of the community. In 2020, I was privileged to chair the UCISA Support Services Conference—the first-ever virtual annual conference. Despite the challenges of delivering this new format, it demonstrated the passion of the community as support staff came together in unprecedented circumstances, many engaging for the first time in months.

The experience and willingness to embrace the unknown that I bring to UCISA stand me in good stead to continue my role as trustee. The sector faces continuous challenges, and an effective trustee team must act with agility, responding to new sector-wide issues with limited foresight of what may come next.

Over the past 2 years as a trustee, I have been immensely impressed with the level of engagement among fellow trustees and their collective desire to do more for the community. At the start of my tenure, I focused on absorbing information, understanding UCISA’s operations, and establishing my role within the group. Since then, I have had the privilege of contributing to significant sector-wide initiatives, supporting UCISA as both a critical friend and a sector digital expert to drive meaningful improvements.

As a trustee, I am passionate about taking sector-wide content and creating transparent platforms for collaboration and knowledge sharing. This ensures that UCISA can truly represent the sector both operationally and strategically.

My career has allowed me to work across roles focused on people, process, and technology a unique blend that enables me to speak with confidence on digital technology, enterprise service management, and organisational change. As outlined in my pen portrait, I actively use my experience to support underrepresented demographics and promote inclusivity in both my professional and voluntary activities. One of my core beliefs is that ‘being an experienced person, teaching a less experienced person to become an experienced person’ is fundamental to positive change. This ethos drives my mentoring work, where I am fortunate to support a small cohort of aspiring professionals.

In summary, my values and demonstrated experience strongly align with UCISA’s mission. I am excited about the opportunity to continue contributing as a trustee, promoting collaboration, transparency, and accountability across the sector. I look forward to working alongside my fellow trustees to shape UCISA’s strategic direction and ensure that we continue to deliver value to our community.

Please describe your motivation for applying to be a UCISA Trustee or USL Director:

I am deeply passionate about UCISA’s values and mission and firmly believe in its potential to drive meaningful change across the higher and further education sectors.

As an active member of the UCISA community, I have contributed through the Support Services Group, the Enterprise Service Management Community of Practice, and as a co-opted trustee for the past two years. These experiences have reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration, and I am eager to continue using my skills and experience to support UCISA’s growth and impact as a trustee.

Krishnananda Pilicudale Director of Digital Information University of Huddersfield

Pen profile

Krish is an experienced senior technology and operational leader with a passion for digital transformation. He has 20 plus years track record of successfully leading, facilitating and delivering business and technology change initiatives for Higher Education (HE) and banking along with substantial domain knowledge in HE, trade finance banking, and retailing. He has successfully headed and closed end to end full life cycle projects on enterprise systems, infrastructure, cloud migration, software development and database management.

Please describe how your experience will support UCISA delivering the strategic plan:

I have 15+ years of leadership experience in a large complex organisation, with a proven track record of managing and delivering results. Extensive experience at board level, with a deep understanding of the strategic and operational challenges facing large organisations. I am adept at building and leading high-performing teams, and driving change through innovation and collaboration. For instance, I have worked at a senior leadership level at King’s College London as Head of Enterprise Solutions implementing ERP and currently at the University of Huddersfield leading on development and delivery of Digital strategy. In my current role at the University of Huddersfield as Director of Digital Information, I am responsible for Computing and Library Services delivering a range of services to the University including central IT function and library services. I am a member of the University Council (Board of Directors), University Senior Leadership Team, University Senate, Joint Consultative and Negotiation Committee (JCNC), University Business Continuity Management Group and many more. As a member of the University Council and the University Senior Leadership team, I have the experience of assessing strategies applying business acumen and subject matter expertise in shaping the strategies to deliver the objectives. 

At Huddersfield, I have led and defined a comprehensive transformational seven year digital strategy comprising the vision, goals and outcomes. To achieve this, I have engaged and communicated with stakeholders and committees across the University in a consultative manner gaining feedback and buy-in to the digital strategy. I have also produced a roadmap of initiatives through the identification of technical debts, emerging technologies and business improvement initiatives needed to transform the University’s digital estate and enabling University strategy. 

I have extensive experience and knowledge of leading transformational programmes delivering better outcomes involving process, technology and organisational changes. I have played a key role in change initiatives to meet business, schedule and budget objectives. I have led and delivered change programmes focussing on the people side of change – including changes to business processes, systems and technology, job roles and organisation structures. For instance, in my current role, a large number of digital strategy initiatives such as data centre migration to Azure, sector leading Teams automation, Teams telephony, Curriculum Management programme, etc. has delivered significant outcomes transforming the University’s operations. Also, whilst at King’s College London, I was the technical lead for implementing transformational £15M Finance and HR programme which involved substantial changes to business processes, job roles, technology stack and organisational changes.

Cyber security is pivotal for all organisations due to the ever evolving threats it poses to its existence and business continuity. I have substantial experience in this domain and have led a transformation across the organisation to mitigate and secure the university. For instance, a recent audit on cyber security has benchmarked University of Huddersfield digital cyber security as sector leading.

As evidenced above, I have extensive experience in digital transformation leadership in Higher Education which will be instrumental in supporting UCISA's strategic plan for 2022-2027. My role as Director of Digital Information at the University of Huddersfield has demonstrated my ability to lead transformational strategic change, which aligns closely with UCISA's vision.

• Trustworthiness: I believe in the importance of integrity and transparency in all my personal and professional endeavours. Also, as a Board member since 2019 at the University of Huddersfield, I have built relationship with all Board members upholding these values. I will ensure that my actions and contributions are always in the best interest of our members and the sector in line with UCISA’s core values.
• Collaboration: I am a firm advocate for collaborative efforts. My experience in working with diverse teams internally and externally has allowed me to harness the power of collective intelligence and shared goals in achieving the transformation. I am eager to contribute to UCISA's initiatives by fostering partnerships and engaging actively with stakeholders.
• Passion: My enthusiasm for digital transformation is unwavering. I am driven by the potential of technology to revolutionise education. I would bring this passion to the forefront, advocating for continuous innovation contributing to enhancing the depth and breadth of engagement.
• Inclusivity: I am dedicated to championing diversity and inclusivity. Ensuring that all voices are heard and valued is crucial for the success which I have experience of as a strategic leader over 15 years. I would use this experience and strive to make UCISA's resources and opportunities accessible to all members, regardless of their background or experience.

Please describe your motivation for applying to be a UCISA Trustee or USL Director:

I am deeply passionate about UCISA and recognise the vital role it plays within the Higher and Further Education community. With a substantial portion of my career dedicated to Higher Education, I possess a comprehensive understanding of the sector's challenges and issues at both macro and micro levels. Over the past few years, UCISA has significantly evolved, providing crucial support to the sector in navigating various strategic and operational challenges. I am eager to contribute to UCISA's mission by leveraging my expertise in digital strategy, cyber security, cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, integration, and more.

Throughout my career, I have actively engaged with UCISA in several capacities:

• Served on the UCISA CISG committee, sharing best practices and helping address sector challenges.
• Co-chaired the UCISA BTS Community of Practice.
• Been part of UCISA group representative for Tribal negotiations for the sector.
• Actively participate in the UCISA Directors forum by responding to colleagues in the sector where I can.
• Actively collaborate sharing information and best practice with number of peers in the sector.
• Presenting in UCISA Leadership conferences over the years
• Encourage other senior managers in my organisation to be part of UCISA community such as UCISA CISG and UCISA EA group wherein University of Huddersfield colleagues are part of the committee.

I hope this provides a clear picture of my engagement with UCISA activities and my experience at the Board level, enabling me to contribute effectively to UCISA’s strategic plan whilst upholding its values.