Unis Wales Team | Universities Wales

Chair – Professor Julie Lydon

Professor Julie Lydon OBE, was elected as Chair of Universities Wales in August 2017. Professor Lydon took up the position of Vice Chancellor of the University of South Wales (formerly University of Glamorgan, prior to the merger with University of Wales, Newport, that formed the University of South Wales in April 2013) in April 2010. She was previously Deputy Vice Chancellor and the Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic Department) at the University, which she joined in 2006. From 2003 to 2006 Professor Lydon was Assistant Vice Chancellor at UWE Bristol, with oversight for academic quality, student services, academic secretariat and timetabling. Previously, she was Associate Dean of the Business School at the University of Wolverhampton.

With a strong personal interest in standards and quality in higher education, she was previously an auditor for the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and is currently a member of the QAA Advisory Panel for Wales. Other representational roles include board membership of UCEA, HECSU, University Alliance, HEFCW Student Experience, Teaching & Quality Committee and she is a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. When time allows, her research interests include organisational change and collaboration within higher education.

Email: chair@uniswales.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)29 2044 8020

Director – Amanda Wilkinson

Amanda has been Director of Universities Wales since November 2004. Previously she held posts with the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) as Director for South West England, Head of Policy for Wales and Senior Adviser on Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) matters for the UK. During her early career she worked for the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation and the Valuation Office Agency. Amanda has served on numerous advisory bodies representing local government, business and higher education. She holds a degree and a postgraduate qualification from Staffordshire University.
Email: office.manager@uniswales.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)29 2044 8020

Assistant Director – Lisa Newberry

Lisa Newberry has been at Universities Wales since July 2008, having spent eight years in the Welsh Government’s Higher Education Policy team. During her time as a civil servant, Lisa was part of the Devolution of Student Support Project, providing the link between Wales and Whitehall. Since 2007, Lisa has been a Development Coach for the Prince’s Trust, working to support young people in Wales. Lisa has been awarded an Executive MBA and a Postgraduate Certificate in Management from the Chartered Management Institute as well as being an associate member of the same organisation.
Email: l.newberry@uniswales.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)29 2044 8022

Policy Adviser – Ben Arnold

Ben Arnold joined Unversities Wales in August 2011. He first worked at Oxford University while training to become a barrister. After his call to the Bar in 2001 however, he chose to pursue higher education as his main career and led strategic planning first at Oxford Brookes University and then at the University of Wales, Newport, where he became a Director and member of the senior executive.
Email: b.arnold@uniswales.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)29 2044 8028

Policy Adviser – Kieron Rees

Kieron Rees joined Universities Wales in March 2017. Prior to joining, Kieron managed the External Affairs team at Carers Trust Wales and had overall responsibility for the organisation’s policy, public affairs and campaigns work. Before this, Kieron worked at the National Union of Students Wales across a range of policy and research areas including higher education, skills, and widening access. Kieron currently sits on the governing body of Gower College Swansea and was formerly Chair of Public Affairs Cymru. He has a BA in English Literature from Swansea University and a PGCE in English from the University of Wales.

Email: k.rees@.uniswales.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)29 2044 8025

International Policy Adviser – Gwen Williams

Gwen has worked for Universities Wales since June 2014. Prior to joining HEW, Gwen worked at Welsh Higher Education Brussels (WHEB) leading on Biosciences and Advanced Manufacturing research groups, and was responsible for following developments in Education policy. Prior to joining WHEB, Gwen spent two years working as a European Parliamentary Officer at the UK Representation to the EU. She has an MSc. in European Politics from the London School of Economics and is a graduate of Durham University.
Email: g.williams@uniswales.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)29 2044 8027

Office Manager – Laura Fergusson

Laura joined Universities Wales in November 2016, providing part-time support to the office manager, and from March 2017 took over the post on a full-time basis. She is responsible for managing the Director’s diary and keeping the office running smoothly! Prior to joining Unis Wales, Laura ran her own business offering antenatal courses and baby development classes, following a career break after the birth of her 4th child. Previously, Laura worked in the Welsh Government’s Health Department as a policy development officer for secondary care health services. She has a degree in English Literature & Language studies from Cardiff University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Service Management, from the University of Wales, College of Medicine.
Email: office.manager@uniswales.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)29 2044 8020