Richard’s working life encompasses three separate careers: an in-house business systems consultant, working in industry, the health service & higher education; then a developer and implementer of business computer systems; and finally as the University of Hertfordshire’s Head of Legal Services. His interests and expertise include organisation & process review & change management, systems development & implementation, and higher education commercial services & governance.

Helen brings professional experience from senior management at the Universities of Brighton and Oxford to her work at SUMS. After building a career in public relations and marketing, she led Oxford's undergraduate admissions office, where she was responsible for achieving major changes in governance and operation. Helen recently completed her doctorate, in which she investigated the responses of English universities to the introduction of £3000 fees for Home/EU undergraduates in 2006.

Gaynor Edwards is a chartered accountant with over ten years experience with Big Four firms and extensive senior management experience in commercial enterprises including TNT Express Worldwide and APL Logistics, implementing financial and business applications and enhancing reporting to improve performance.

Alison has more than 20 years’ senior HR experience, most recently as HR Director at the University of Leicester. Her early career was spent as a research scientist. Her publications include Getting to Grips with HR (Leadership Foundation, 2009) and Managing People (Open University Press, 2003). Her expertise includes HR strategy, pay and reward process design, organisational restructuring and conflict resolution.

Anne has expertise in scheduling systems and timetabling having worked for Scientia Ltd. for many years as an implementation consultant. This is coupled with significant experience of HE; Anne having held management positions within universities, leading on systems implementation and project. Anne is consulting for SUMS in the area of space management: policy, timetabling system requirements and process review.

Iain has 20 years experience in Change Management, as an internal and external consultant. He works across Organisation Design, Performance Management, Strategic Planning, Process Design, and Business Transformation. He particularly enjoys customising private sector good practice for the HE sector.

Jon has a background in global consulting and industry with major blue chip organisations. He has worked in both the public and private sectors on projects relating to process improvement, organisational transformation, outsourcing, financial and risk management, shared services and procurement. Past clients include the Greater London Authority, bp, SABMiller, HM Treasury, WPP, Volvo and the NHS.

Kathryn specialises in HR consultancy, recruitment, organisational restructuring and cultural change. She has delivered projects for a variety of high profile public sector and commercial organisations including the National Employment Panel (DWP), various government departments, the Natural History Museum, and Tate Galleries. She has also been involved in the set up of a number of shared service centres including DHL’s global centre in Prague.

Debbie joined SUMS in 2002 as a consultant specialising in IT and Marketing/CRM having previously worked for Andersen Consulting in South Africa and London and for UBS Warburg in London. Debbie contributes to SUMS work for members as advances of web technology and marketing come together in the CRM and Student Journey Mapping.

Stewart has particular skills and experience in Facilities Management and Change Management. He has worked in an operations/commercial capacity for Serco, Johnson Controls, The Home Office and DOH. He has helped many major private and public sector organisations to efficiently achieve high quality delivery and management of facilities and/or services whether in-house or outsourced and has a detailed knowledge of PPP and construction.

Lesley worked with Pharmaceuticals and Software Suppliers before moving into Financial Services. As a Project and Programme Manager at Prudential for over 12 years she delivered many large projects, and has special interest in all aspects of project lifecycles.

Sue Shepherd is a marketing and communications specialist with over twenty years' experience gained both in blue chip companies and as Director of Marketing at the Universities of Brighton and Kent. In addition to marketing, Sue's expertise encompasses events management, internal communications, alumni relations and fundraising. She has a particular interest in the senior management of universities.

Graham’s background in the commercial sector included 10 years consultancy experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers working with large multinational corporate clients. His experience in HE has covered a wide range of assignments including research administration, administrative and support services and student residences. He is committed to helping universities align their operations with institutional strategy by changing operations and/or refining the strategy.