Leadership changes within Student and Applicant Services

Friday, 28 July 2017

Three major changes to leadership within Student and Applicant Services (SAS) will take place over the coming weeks: 

Head of Student Wellbeing

We are delighted to announce that Selina Patankar-Owens has accepted the position of Head of Student Wellbeing and will take up her new position from 1 September 2017. 

Dr Alicia Peña Bizama will move from her current position as Head of Student Wellbeing to a part-time role as a Wellbeing Consultant from that same date. 

Director of Student Support Services and Operations

With effect from 1 August 2017, we are pleased to announce that Dr Paddy Woodman will take over the role of Director of Student Support Services and Operations on an interim basis. The role was previously held by Julie Poulton, and assumes responsibility for Teaching & Learning (T&L) Operations within SAS. 

In this role, Paddy will have oversight of, and management responsibility for, the T&L Support Centres, Exams, Timetabling, Graduation, and Student Support Services. 

We will be advertising for a full time replacement for the post from early September – more details to follow in due course. 

Head of Function

Following Andrea Cheshire’s departure from the University on 31 August, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Gavin Brooks, will assume responsibility as interim Head of Function for SAS. 

Gavin will provide leadership and support for staff in SAS whilst maintaining his current role as PVC and as Head of Service. 

The University aims to advertise for a full time Head of Function early in the autumn term – Gavin will keep SAS colleagues informed of how the recruitment process develops.   

During the interim period, Gavin will establish and Chair a new SAS Senior Management Team, comprising Paddy Woodman, Andrea Kreideweiss, Selina Patankar-Owens and himself, with the intention of meeting regularly in order to help manage the Function in the most effective way.