Who's Speaking?

Annie was Admissions Officer at the University of York, before she took up her post with the Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (SPA) programme in January 2007.  SPA has been created to act as a central source of expertise on best practice in higher education admissions, as recommended by the Admissions to Higher Education Steering Group report on fair admissions (‘The Schwartz Report’, 2004).

Usman Ali is the Vice President (Higher Education) previously being elected on the NUS National Executive Committee, Block of 15 in 2009 and is now the first Muslim Vice President in the history of the National Union of Students. He was also the Chair of the Communications Scrutiny Committee and the Nominations committee whilst being on the ‘block.’ Prior to the NUS, he was the President and Vice President Activities at the University of Salford, where he studied Business Information Systems with a 1 year industrial placement.

Susan joined fdf in August 06 to take forward fdf’s widening participation strategy with an initial focus on enhancing Information, Advice and Guidance support for Foundation degree provision and supporting progression to and through Foundation degrees for less advantaged learners.

Jo Wiggans is Director of Aimhigher Greater Manchester, a partnership of ten local authorities, 150+ high schools, 22 colleges, 7 higher education institutions plus workbased learning providers, Connexions services and others.  The initiative has a budget of more than £5million per annum, most of which is devolved to partners to deliver targeted programmes of activities to encourage young people from underrepresented groups to progress to higher education.  The programme for young people includes IAG interventions, summer schools, campus visits, masterclasses and curriculum enrichment, Aimhigher Associates and ambassadors.  

Steve Kendall is Associate Dean of Partnerships at the University of Bedfordshire, which has more than 3,000 students following its collaborative provision, across three major partnership networks. 

Julian Skyrme is Head of Undergraduate Recruitment and Widening Participation at The University of Manchester, overseeing its strategy and operational activity on equity of access to higher education, school and college liaison, scholarship provision and fair admissions. Previously he taught as a Head of Social Sciences in a large Sixth Form College before progressing to Assistant Vice-Principal with responsibility for UCAS applications.

Director of Continuum John Storan is Professor at UEL. He is the Founding and current Chair of the Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE). As Director of Action on Access he jointly leads the National Coordination Team for Widening Participation funded by HEFCE.

Pam Tatlow has been the Chief Executive of the university think-tank, million+ since 2007. Under her leadership, million+ has published a series of reports and played an influential role in the political debate about the contribution of universities to the economy and society. 

Alasdair Smith has been a Professor of Economics at the University of Sussex since 1981 and was Vice-Chancellor of the University from 1998 to 2007.

Tony Acland is Director Aimhigher Hampshire & Isle of Wight and has worked in HE as a lecturer, manager and consultant for over 30 years, specialising in widening participation strategies in further and higher education.