The UVAC Board comprises experts in higher level vocational learning drawn from a range of higher education, further education and lifelong learning sectors. With observers from related organisations, the UVAC Board possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience on higher level, work-based and vocational learning. Click on the links below to find to more about our Board.
- Professor Joy Carter (Chair) – Vice Chancellor, University of Winchester
- Ms Dawn Whitemore, Head of University of Derby Corporate
- Mr Garth Rhodes – Head of Flexible Learning, Northumbria University
- Dr Stephen Boffey – Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Hertfordshire
- Mr John Widdowson – Principal and Chief Executive, New College Durham and Chair of the Mixed Economy Group of Colleges
- Professor Margaret House – Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic, Middlesex University
- Mr Alan Mould – Chair of the LLN Directors Group and Director of Lancashire LLN
- Ms Davina Foord – Policy Adviser, Universities UK (Observer)
Professor Joy Carter - Chair
Vice Chancellor, University of Winchester
Professor Carter is Vice Chancellor at the University of Winchester. She was formerly Pro Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs at the University of Glamorgan where she had responsibility for all academic matters, including Teaching and Learning and Quality. Joy began her career as a lecturer in Sedimentary Geochemistry at the University of Reading, where she later became a Reader in Environmental Geochemistry and Health. She published extensively in the field and served on Research Council Committees and as Chair on the Board of the European Group of the International Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health. Joy later went on to become Dean of Science and Director of Science Research and Consultancy at the University of Derby. She has a particular interest in widening access and student retention.
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Ms Dawn Whitemore
Head of University of Derby Corporate
Dawn Whitemore is Head of the University of Derby Corporate which is the business-to-business division for the University of Derby. Her experience of operating at a senior level in both industry and the public sector has enabled her to drive the business agenda forward in a positive and inclusive manner. Prior to joining the University of Derby, Dawn was Vice Principal for North Warwickshire and Hinckley College (NWHC) responsible for Employer Engagement, marketing, student services, Higher Education and a number of curriculum areas. Before joining NWHC, Dawn was a self-employed consultant, where her client base included the likes of City & Guilds, Toyota and other smaller businesses and charities, mainly supporting business change. Dawn started her career in education as a part –time lecturer (in her spare time) at Wilmorton College where she then progressed to Manager, Director. At the time of merger of three colleges in Derby and the birth of Derby College she became Vice Principal and finally, Executive Director (Deputy Principal). Dawn’s career started in the print world progressing from Printer to National Bespoke Sales Manager at Bemrose Plc. In all these she has produced strategies to resolve issues, drive growth and ultimately make a difference and a positive impact on the bottom line. Dawn is absolutely passionate about education at all levels and understands the transformational role it has on both business and individuals.
Mr Garth Rhodes
Head of Flexible Learning, Northumbria University
Garth Rhodes has worked in the post-16 sector within the field of Vocational Education and Training for over 25 years. During this period he has developed a considerable knowledge and expertise in the strategic development and implementation of work-based learning, accreditation of prior learning and competence-based training and education. Garth is the Head of the Flexible Learning Centre in the School of Health, Community and Education Studies at Northumbria University where he leads a team of academic staff responsible for developing and implementing flexible education and negotiated work-based learning provision across a range of professional areas including, Health & Social Care, the Children’s Workforce and Education.
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Dr Stephen Boffey
Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Hertfordshire
As Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire Stephen’s brief includes Widening Participation, recruitment and admissions. He is a member of the Management Group of the Lifelong Learning Network for the Eastern Region (‘MOVE’), the Area Steering Group for Aimhigher, the Association of Collaborative Providers of HE in FE Colleges, and chairs the University’s Recruitment and Admissions Committee and the Management Committee for the Hertfordshire HE Consortium (a partnership of the University with the FECs of Hertfordshire). Stephen’s role as Pro Vice-Chancellor is combined with his responsibilities as Dean of the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies. This faculty is the base for a range of activities including widening participation outreach, foundation and bridging programmes for international students, the Hertfordshire HE Consortium, and the Joint Honours programme.
Having held postdoctoral fellowships at the Universities of Marseille and York Stephen joined the University of Hertfordshire (then Hatfield Polytechnic) as a lecturer in Biochemistry and has subsequently held the posts of Associate Dean (Academic Quality) for Natural Sciences and Director of Admissions. His research in plant molecular biology resulted in the publication of highly cited papers on the replication of chloroplasts in addition to books, a patent, and many articles in molecular biology textbooks. He has served on the Council of the Society for Experimental Biology, the Biosciences Advisory Group of the HE Academy, is a Fellow and past Vice-President of the Institute of Biology and is a trustee of SETPOINT Herts.
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Mr John Widdowson
Principal and Chief Executive, New College Durham and Chair of the Mixed Economy Group of Colleges
John Widdowson joined New College Durham in August 1998, having previously worked as Vice Principal at Cambridge Regional College for ten years. Prior to entering Further Education, John worked as a lawyer in Local Government and has retained some academic interests in legal training. As Principal, John has been keenly interested in developing the College’s role in the community, extending the range of activities and partnerships through which the College works. He chairs the County Durham Area Steering Group for Aimhigher and is a member of the Board of the Further Education National Consortium. John was elected Chair of the Mixed Economy Group of Colleges in 2005 and was re-elected in 2007.
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Professor Margaret House
Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic, Middlesex University
Professor Margaret House has been a member of staff at Middlesex University since 1986. She was appointed Dean of the School of Social Sciences in 2000; Dean of Health and Social Sciences in 2002; and became Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic in September 2005. Professor House has gained a national and international reputation for research into the management and monitoring of river water quality. She was responsible for the development of the House Index of Water Quality. Her present research ranges between modelling the impact of forestry on Loch Ness, the role of ethnic minorities in the implementation of Agenda 21 and water harvesting in Spain. Margaret is responsible for steering and developing the academic provision of the University. She is the Executive lead in the University on the student experience and she initiated a successful bid to HEFCE by the Middlesex University Institute of Work Based Learning for a three year project on employer engagement. Professor House takes a lead role for the University on the development of collaborative links with local and national partners and works closely with schools and colleges in supporting and developing a range of awards and qualifications. Margaret is a member of the Higher Education Academy National Teaching Fellowship Award panel.
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Mr Alan Mould
Chair of the LLN Directors Group and Director of Lancashire LLN
Alan Mould became Chair of the LLN Directors Group in March 2011 and has been Director of the Lancashire Lifelong Learning Network since 2008. Alan’s role at the LLN includes project and strategic management, ensuring adherence to the business plan, budgetary controls, reporting to HEFCE and partner institutions, primary relationships with partners and staffing. Prior to joining the LLN, Alan was HE Manager at Mancat (now The Manchester College) and previously held other roles at the same college.
Davina Foord
Policy Adviser, Universities UK
Photograph and biography to follow.