Universities Wales Team

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.

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

Ben Arnold joined Universities 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: Ben.Arnold@uniswales.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)29 2044 8028

Laura joined Universities Wales in November 2016, as our Office Manager, and in summer 2019 took on the new role of Business Manager, with responsibility for the management and co-ordination of the day-to-day operations of the Universities Wales office, providing support to the Director and the various Universities Wales’ committees and sub groups.

Prior to joining Unis Wales, Laura ran her own business offering antenatal and baby development courses, following a career break to raise her young children. 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: Laura.Fergusson@uniswales.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)29 2044 8029

Lynn Deane joined Universities Wales in February 2019 as Office Manager. Her role includes managing the Director’s diary and keeping the office running smoothly. Prior to joining Universities Wales, Lynn held Executive Assistant roles at various organisations including the Welsh Development Agency and Coca-Cola.

Gwen has worked for Universities Wales since June 2014. Prior to joining Universities Wales, 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: gwen.williams@uniswales.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)29 2044 8027

Sara is the International Policy Adviser, supporting the Global Wales agenda, and is Gwen Williams’ maternity leave cover. Sara joined Universities Wales in September 2019. Prior to joining Unis Wales, she worked for the National Council for Voluntary Organisations in England on European Social Fund policy and communications on behalf of the civil society sector. Previously, Sara worked for seven years in the European Parliament as Head of Staff for a Welsh MEP and more recently, was a Group Researcher at the National Assembly.

Sara has a BSc Econ in European Union Studies from Cardiff University.

Email: Sara.Stephens@uniswales.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)29 2267 1228

Elizabeth joined Universities Wales as Senior Market Development Manager in December 2019, and is responsible for the management and implementation of the India strategy as part of Global Wales Programme. Elizabeth is on secondment from her role as Deputy Head of International Partnerships and Relations and the University of Bristol, where she is responsible for the University’s relationship with international sponsor organisations. Previously she was a Stakeholder Engagement Consultant with clients in Higher Education as well as private and third sectors.

Elizabeth’s background is in International student recruitment, working in a range of overseas markets from Hong Kong to India. After completing her degree in Law from Cardiff University in 2009, she joined at Graduate Management programme at the University which led her to working in Central, Faculty and School international teams at Universities throughout the UK.

Email: Elizabeth.george@uniswales.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)29 2267 1226

Maggie joined Universities Wales in December 2018.  Her primary role is to develop links, support the Universities’ work, and initiate research and programs between Wales and the United States.

Maggie previously was Country Manager for The Americas at Bangor University, managing North, Central, and South America recruitment and relationships for the university. She has her MA in Arthurian Literature, and her PhD in Film and Creative Industries from Bangor University as well. She lectures in London for an American study abroad program (CAPA) on Creative Industries and Business, and online with Signum University.  She also freelances in the Creative Sector on script, project, and audience development.

Email: Maggie.Parke@uniswales.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)7384 542518