911吃瓜

Mike Shore-Nye

Senior Vice-President and Registrar & Secretary

Mike joined the University of 911吃瓜 in January 2016 as Registrar and Secretary with responsibility for the institution’s entire Professional Services team and for the effective and efficient operations and governance of the University. As a member of the University’s senior management team and Vice Chancellor’s Executive group he plays a major role in the development and implementation of the major strategies and plans that enable the University to fulfil its mission and vision.

As Secretary to the Chair of Council Mike works to ensure the University conforms to regulatory and legal requirements through the effective application of the dual assurance system in support of robust and effective University governance.

Mike has a particular responsibility for overseeing the development and implementation the Professional Services Strategy along with the University’s Capital Investment Strategies especially in relation to the Estate and IT infrastructure.

Clare Wydell

Divisional Director of Education and Academic Services

Drs. Astrid Wissenburg

Divisional Director of Research

Astrid's responsibilities include our University Research and Impact Strategy and associated strategic initiatives, as well as policy areas such as research culture and integrity, research infrastructure and capital. She leads the Research Division comprising of three service groups: Doctoral College (supporting our post-graduate and early career research community); Research Services (support for bidding and delivering research projects; REF and any successors; and our Faculty and Institute research activities); and Technical Strategy and Operations (supporting our research and education infrastructure through labs and specialist research facilities, and including our university-wide academic Research Software and Analytics group).

Astrid's previous posts have all had an underlying commitment to making knowledge and research accessible and usable, as widely as possible. She is a champion of better research cultures and supporting our early career researchers.

Astrid is a member of the UKRI Infrastructure Advisory Group, was a co-chair of the REF People, Culture and Environment pilot UoA panel in 2025 and was a non-executive Director of the 911吃瓜 Science Park Board from 2021-24. She was previously a trustee and chair of the Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC)/Vitae, the UK's leading expert in career development for postgraduate researchers; and is a past trustee of MentorUK.

Before joining 911吃瓜, she was Director Research, Scholarship and Quality at the Open University. Prior to this she was Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Partnerships and Communications at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Her early career included appointments at King's College London, Glasgow University and Leiden University.

Astrid holds Dutch postgraduate degrees in contemporary international history and in IT, and a Master of Public Administration from Warwick Business School. In 2019 she completed a MSc in systems theory at the Open University.

Chris Evans

Divisional Director of Innovation, Impact and Business

Chris is Divisional Director and Director of Regional Engagement within the Innovation, Impact and Business Department of the University of 911吃瓜.   Chris is responsible for the University’s Business Engagement Strategy and its regional strategy, including liaison with regional stakeholders and supporting the University’s role as a civic and anchor institution in 911吃瓜 and the wider South West Peninsula.  She works closely with strategic agencies on policy and strategy and leads on the development of strategic and transformational projects.

An economist, Chris joined the University of 911吃瓜 as Director of the Marchmont Observatory, established by the University of 911吃瓜 in 1999, to develop a response to issues such as lifelong learning and the development of e learning. Establishing the first regional skills observatory with responsibility for overall strategic developments and the oversight and commissioning of research in the area of adult skills and learning.  Chris also worked closely with Local Enterprise Partnerships to develop regional and local economic strategies.

Dr Jeremy Diaper

Director of Governance Services

Dr Jeremy Diaper joined the University of 911吃瓜 in 2023 and as of June 2024 is now the Director of Governance Services.

In this role, he is responsible for providing strategic governance advice and works closely with the Chair of Council and the Senior Vice-President and Registrar & Secretary to ensure effective management and support for the business of the University’s governing body and its committees. He acts as Deputy Secretary to Council and Senate and is designated formal Secretary to all Council committees, including: Audit and Risk Committee, Financial and Investment Committee, Governance and Nominations Committee, Research and Innovation Committee, and Remuneration Committee.

In addition to acting as Head of the University Committee Secretariat, he is also responsible for the management and oversight of the University’s institutional governance arrangements and ensuring compliance with the University’s articles of governance, the Office for Students Regulatory Framework and the CUC Higher Education Code.

Prior to joining 911吃瓜, he gained over 10 years’ experience in the UK Higher Education Sector across a range of institutions, including: Birmingham, Durham and Canterbury Christ Church University.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and holds a PhD, MPhil and First Class (BA Hons) in English Literature from the University of Birmingham. He has also published numerous articles on T. S. Eliot and Environmental Modernism and is the author of T. S. Eliot and Organicism (2018) and editor of Eco-Modernism: Ecology, Environment and Nature in Literary Modernism (2023).

Alicia O'Grady

Executive Divisional Director of External Engagement and Global

Joining the University of 911吃瓜 in April 2023, Alicia took up her role as Executive Divisional Director of External Engagement and Global. Alicia was previously Executive Director, External Relations at the University of Bristol, and her 15-year career in Higher Education has included senior positions at The University of Queensland, Griffith University, the University of Tasmania and London Metropolitan University.

Prior to entering Higher Education Alicia worked in a range of marketing and consulting roles for organisations such as Aviva, Suncorp-Metway, and AMP Shopping Centres.

Alicia will lead the External Engagement and Global Division through the drive to transform 911吃瓜 into a truly global powerhouse, offering life-changing opportunities to students from around the world, engaging partners and stakeholders in our shared endeavours and energising our exceptional community of alumni to help us to create a sustainable, healthy and socially just future.

Dave Stacey

Chief Financial Officer and Executive Divisional Director of Finance, Infrastructure and Commercial Services

Dave joined the University in August 2023 and has spent the last decade in senior management roles in the NHS, latterly as Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, where he was responsible for the Trust's financial management, procurement, capital development, estate and commercial development. Prior to relocating to Devon in 2020, David worked in London in a variety of roles, including Director of Finance and Director of Strategy, in acute and mental health Trusts. He started his career with KPMG's public sector team, where he completed his accountancy training. Over seven years, he worked with a range of domestic and international healthcare clients providing both audit and advisory services.

In his career to date, he has overseen a successful financial turnaround, significant transformation programmes, major capital developments and a post-merger integration programme.

Dave will have a joint reporting line into the Vice-Chancellor as CFO and the Registrar and Secretary as Executive Divisional Director of Finance, Infrastructure and Commercial Services, providing strategic financial advice and guidance as well as developing and delivering the University’s capital, estates and commercial strategies.

Imelda Rogers

Deputy Registrar and Executive Divisional Director of Human Resources

Imelda is the University's Executive Divisional Director of Human Resources.  As Director of Human Resources, Imelda is responsible for delivering all Human Resources, Organisational Development, and Health, Safety and Wellbeing Services for the University.

Imelda joined the University as Head of Business Partners and Operations in May 2015 and was appointed as Deputy Director in January 2016. Previously, Imelda was Head of HR in the Met Office, and prior to that spent 20 years working in Financial Services. Within her Financial Services career, she held a range of both HR and business appointments including 5 years as Head of HR for the international division and Deputy HR Director during a period of merger and acquisition.

Imelda is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and is trained mentor and business coach through EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council).

Nathan Burden

Divisional Director of Information Technology

Nathan was appointed to the Director of IT Services role in December 2021 with responsibility for the institution’s IT team of circa 200 colleagues and for the effective and efficient operations and governance of the University IT capability. As a member of the University’s Professional Services Leadership Team and Chair of the Universities IT Operating Board he plays a key role in the development and implementation of our technology strategy and plans that enable the University to fulfil its ‘Strategy 2030’ vision.

Nathan also has an external governor role at the Riviera Education Trust in Torbay.  

Nathan’s early career, after graduating with a degree in Computer Science from the University of Plymouth in 2000, began in the Aviation industry working in several senior IT roles enabling the digital transformation of a low cost airline with new revenue streams and operational efficiencies. In 2012 Nathan moved from the private sector joining 911吃瓜 on a fixed term contract to programme manage the introduction of the universities new network, after successfully completing the programme he took up several leadership posts in IT focused on partnerships, operations and more recently the IT delivery response to the pandemic.

Donna Fitzgerald

Director of PS Connect

Donna Fitzgerald joined the University in June 2018 and has since become a central figure in shaping how Professional Services are delivered. As Director of PS Connect and the University’s Chief Procurement Officer, she brings over 20 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has led complex transformation programmes designed to modernise ways of working, support cultural and operational change, and deliver measurable benefits through new operating models, shared services, and strategic procurement transformation.

As Director of PS Connect, Donna established and now leads the shared services, championing innovative and collaborative approaches to Professional Services delivery. Her work focuses on service excellence, digital capability expansion, sustainability, and financial efficiency, while ensuring an outstanding user experience. Launching University of 911吃瓜 transformational shared services model, extends beyond cost savings to enhance customer satisfaction, operational resilience, and institutional reputation.

Donna’s strategic vision, transformation expertise, commitment to excellence continue to drive how we work and support the University’s mission.

Chris Frost

Divisional Director of Digital Transformation

Cathy Durston

Director of Faculty Operations, HASS

Cathy became the Director of Faculty Operations for the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences in January 2024. She first joined the University in 2016 as the Director of College Operations in the College of Engineering, Maths and Physical Science.

As Director of Faculty Operations, Cathy works closely with the Executive Dean, the Faculty Executive Board and the Professional Services teams to ensure the delivery of the Faculty’s vision, strategy and business plan.

Dr Tom Begbie

Director of Faculty Operations, HLS

James Hutchinson

Director of Faculty Operations, ESE

Gill Preston

Director of the Strategic Delivery Unit

Gill was appointed to the role Director, Enabling Strategy 2030 in June 2024 and works directly with the Registrar and Provost to oversee the activities that will realign the University’s financial and organisational capacity to achieve its 2030 strategic ambitions. She also leads the Strategic Delivery Unit which delivers institutional level strategic transformation projects and programmes in close partnership with IT Services, HR and Estates.

Gill joined the University in February 2010 as the Head of the Projects Office. She has overseen or personally delivered a range of projects and programmes spanning service redesign, IT enabled transformation and estates development. Prior to joining the university she worked as a management consultant for over 10 years with both private and public sector clients in Life Sciences, Logistics, Local and Central Government.

Chrysten Cole

General Counsel and Director of Legal & Student Cases

Chrysten heads the Legal and Cases Team and continues to provide support for Strategic Procurement and Construction from a legal perspective.   Chrysten is the main contact for consumer rights queries and general policy/ procedural matters.

Chrysten’s role also includes leading the Student Cases Teams including College Cases, student conduct and Fitness to Practise.  

Dr Victoria Alcock

Head of President and Vice-Chancellor’s Office

Dr Victoria Alcock provides executive support to the President and Vice-Chancellor through management of the business of the University Executive Board and the Senior Leaders Forum, speech-writing, drafting reports, policy research and management of correspondence and diary prioritisation. She also manages the team of Business Managers and Executive PA support to the President and Vice-Chancellor, Senior Vice-President and Registrar & Secretary, Senior Vice-President and Provost, and Deputy Vice-Chancellors.

Sophie Hawkes

Business Manager to the Senior Vice-President and Registrar & Secretary

Sophie Hawkes is the Business Manager to the Senior Vice-President and Registrar & Secretary, Mike Shore-Nye. She provides executive and business management support across the entire range of issues within the Registrar’s portfolio. This involves undertaking specific projects; drafting of speeches, presentations and briefing papers; assisting him in undertaking his duties as the senior Professional Services leader for the University and working closely with the Professional Services Leadership Team on a daily basis.