Board of Governors

Richard Bacon is an expert on governance spanning the public and not-for-profit sectors. He led the public sector assurance team at PwC, working most recently with teaching and research-intensive universities. He chairs the Audit Committee of the Royal Society.

Richard is also a keen musician, singing with the Bristol-based choir Exultate, and occasionally with the Choir of Bristol Cathedral, where he is Chairman of the Choral Foundation. His involvement at the cathedral has led to a number of governance assignments in the Church of England and in Wales and he is Chair of the Bristol Diocesan Board of Finance.

Jenny (CBE, FRAeS, FCGI, DEng) is a past President of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Jenny's long and successful career in the aerospace industry began in 1971, as a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate apprentice with British Aerospace. Jenny's career encompassed flight software for the world's first fly-by-wire aircraft, the Airbus A320 in the 1980s; wing control surfaces and landing gear systems for the Airbus A320 and A340 in the 1980s/early 1990s. Thereafter holding increasingly senior positions, Jenny led large engineering teams working on improvements to Airbus in-service aircraft, and on Nimrod and Airbus A400M wing designs.

Her career culminated in industrial responsibility for determining the future of UK civil aviation through its forthcoming technology programmes when, working with Government and other industry leaders, Jenny established the huge multi-million pound UK Aerospace Research and Technology programme, designated 'Next Generation Composite Wing'.

Jenny works tirelessly as an active supporter of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) development in schools. She is keen to encourage diversity in the aviation industry and to dispel engineering stereotypes. In May 2013 she became the first-ever female President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, of which she is a Fellow. She was Chair of its Education and Skills Committee and the RAeS Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Group. She will chair the RAeS medals and Award Committee from 2020. She is a member of the RAeS Nominations Committee and represents the Society on the Tribology Trust Awards Committee. 

In 2019 Jenny was awarded a CBE for her services to Aerospace Engineering. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Engineering from University of the West of England in July 2013, an honorary Doctorate of Science from Kingston University in 2016 and is a Fellow of the City and Guilds of London Institute (October 2013).

Laura is retired from her role as a partner at Burges Salmon LLP, where she spent all of her 30-year career as a lawyer, and where she led a team of competition and regulatory lawyers. She spent four years on the firm’s Board where she had oversight of all the People aspects of the business. She was also a trustee of Bristol Charities from 2009-2018, and was also Vice-Chair.

Laura is currently a Committee Member (non-executive director) of Exeter Racecourse (owned by Jockey Club Racecourses).

Carolyn is an experienced, highly skilled senior executive and Non-Executive Director, with significant experience in the NHS and Higher Education in England and Wales.

Originally qualifying as a Registered General Nurse, she later developed a clinical career – including a period of time in Western Australia – before moving into training and senior management. Carolyn held a number of senior roles in the NHS in Bristol before moving into Higher Education in the University of Bristol and latterly Cardiff University as College Registrar.

Carolyn has now developed a portfolio career which includes non executive and voluntary roles.

With over 25 years international strategic human resource expertise at an executive level within start-ups, private and public sector organisations (including the National Health Service and PricewaterhouseCoopers), Domini is a passionate people developer and life-long learner with strong leadership and management acumen.

Domini is both a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD) and a Senior Certified Professional with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP). In addition, she is certified as a Prince 2 project manager, Prosci Change Manager, British Psychometric Society Assessor and an executive coach.

Outside of the work environment, Domini is a proud mother of three brilliant young men and serves in the community at Elim Bath Church. She is also a Trustee at Leaf Academy Bristol and serves as Chair of the People & Culture Committee. She is passionate about Trinidad and Tobago cuisine, travelling and mentoring young people.

Ian is an actuary with over 25 years of experience in financial services and is currently Chief Operations and Technology Officer of St. James’s Place, where he has extensive responsibilities and experience across technology, transformation, financial services operations as well as governance and regulation.

He is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries as well as being a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, of The Institute of Leadership and Management and of BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT.

Ian is a Trustee and Director of The Holiday Homes Trust, a Director of The Scout Association Trust Corporation and a Director of The Monsters Foundation.

Grant Mansfield is the Chief Executive and Founder of Bristol-based Plimsoll Productions, one of the largest and fastest growing independent TV production companies in the UK.

Before launching the company, in September 2013 he spent three years in LA as CEO of Zodiak USA, leading a large creative team producing shows for a wide variety of US Networks. Previously, as Managing Director of RDF and before that Director of Programmes at Granada TV, Mansfield was the creative lead for two of the UK’s most successful production companies, producing shows as diverse as “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here”, “Coronation Street”, “Cold Feet”, "Tonight" and “Ladette to Lady”.

He began his documentary career at the BBC in Bristol where he created and produced some of the corporation's most popular documentary series, including “Driving School”, “Vets in Practice” and “War Walks”.

Plimsoll Productions’ rapid growth has been recognised with national awards from the Sunday Times and the British Chamber of Commerce and Grant Mansfield was recently voted the Daily Telegraph’s SME Business leader of the year. In 2019 Grant led a process to sell a minority stake in Plimsoll to private equity Group LDC. In 2022 he spearheaded a majority stake sale to ITV Studios in a landmark deal, valuing the company at £131 million. In addition to his non-executive Board role at UWE Bristol, Grant is also Vice President of Maggie's Cancer Care.

Jamie has over 30 years’ experience in internal audit, risk management and compliance within both the public and private sectors. This includes 12 years in accountancy practice where he led engagements with the majority of higher and further education institutions in the south west, including UWE Bristol. As a former student, and proud Bristolian, Jamie has a real passion for UWE Bristol and for the HE Sector in general.

In December 2019, Jamie left his role with the global professional services firm, Vistra, where he led the audit assurance and risk management functions, to form Bristol Risk Solutions, providing business continuity, cybersecurity, governance, business transformation and assurance services.

Jamie is Treasurer of Christ Church Downend, where he is also a Sunday School Teacher, and an ardent fundraiser for Haven Home Orphanage in Visakhapatnam in south-east India, which he has visited a number of times.

Tim is a partner at international law firm Osborne Clarke LLP. Tim is based in the firm's Bristol office, where he specialises in investment funds with a particular focus on the real estate sector.

Tim is Osborne Clarke's Chief Operating Officer and a member of Osborne Clarke's Executive Board. He is the Osborne Clarke Sponsor for UWE Futures, a joint initiative between UWE Bristol and Bristol based law firms to encourage UWE Bristol students from ethnic minority backgrounds to consider careers in law.

Tim is a keen (if rather slow) runner and indoor rower and has an interest in all things military, having been a Naval Reservist for 15 years.

Margaret is a former Director of Education, with extensive experience working in local government, schools and other education settings to improve the education outcomes for children and young people. She has led and managed a diverse range of education support services and is an accredited Ofsted inspector. She has extensive experience of Chairing a number of Multi Academy Trusts, Governing Boards, is a member of the DfE South West Advisory Board and Independent Adviser to SEND Improvement Board at Bristol City Council.

Margaret co-chairs the Bristol Education Race Equality Steering Group, a member of the University of Bristol EEDI Oversight Committee.

Margaret works with schools and other settings on all aspects of school improvement, including strengthening leadership and governance, advising on developing a culture of equity, inclusion and diversity. She is passionate about how education can transform lives and be a gateway to greater opportunities, social engagement and improved health in addressing the under representation of minoritised groups.

Dave is a Vice Chairman of Deloitte LLP and is an elected member of the Deloitte North and South Europe Board. In this capacity he chairs the UK/Swiss Partnership Council, chairs the Governance and Compensation Committee, and is a member of the Partner Matter and Fairness Committee, Nominations Committee, Compensation and Partner Units Committee, Remuneration Committee and Transformation Committee.

Dave leads the Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Growth Industry Sector for Deloitte in the UK.

Dave is a Chartered Engineer and spent his early career as an engineering officer in the Royal Air Force. Since joining Deloitte as a consultant in 1994, he has worked across all industry sectors – in the UK and internationally – using his extensive technology and business transformation experience to drive innovation with purpose. Dave is passionate about developing talent and creating inclusive teams that embrace diversity and value strong ethics and moral courage to deliver impacts that matter.

Outside work Dave is a family man, married to Alison and the proud parents of a daughter and two sons. He is an avid motorsport fan (both watching and participating), and enjoys music festivals and off-grid adventures in his campervan. He is currently training as a sound healing practitioner with the College of Sound Healing. 

Dave is a member of the Institute of Coding Governance Board and is a Mentor in Residence for the UWE Team Entrepreneur Programme, where he has supported a number of student business founders.

Professor Elena Marco is Pro Vice-chancellor and Head of College of Arts, Technology and Environment at UWE Bristol. Elena is internationally recognised as a strategic and transformational leader in teaching and learning, known for her continued commitment to student success, as well as for her positive influence on colleagues. She is committed to equity for all and takes particular interest in the advancement of women and Black, Asian global majority groups in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Elena has worked in Higher Education since 2002, having started her career as architect in Bath, following her studies at the University Politécnica de Cataluña. She also leads the sustainability portfolio for the University where she chairs the Sustainability Executive Committee ensuring that sustainability considerations are embedded across the University's teaching, research, campus operations and civic engagement work. In 2024, she also become part of the UWE Bristol Board of Governors, responsible for setting the strategic direction, vision and ethos of the University, overseeing its financial performance and holding the executive accountable for the educational and research performance of the organisation.

Externally, she is significantly influencing the transformation of Built and Natural Environment professions as a whole, through her portfolio of external non-executive appointments, developing strategic responses to global challenges such as climate change and diversity. Elena was elected Architect Board Member at the Architects Registration Board in 2019 and in 2021 she was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship for her, for her impact and transformational contribution to climate-change teaching practices in HE, and for her contribution to mitigating climate-change in the construction industry through professional practice and research projects. She gained her doctorate and professorship in 2021 having lead her team through complex responses to the pandemic and secured improvement in the NSS scores from her students.

Elena's architecture and built environment career spans industry and academia, beginning at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios when she was completing her final architecture thesis project where she raised to Project Architect before pursuing an academic career in academia at UWE Bristol. During her time at UWE, she engaged in research with practice impact and pedagogic research alongside building a significant leadership profile, where she was highly commended in the 2021 RIBA President's Research Awards. She was the Head of Architecture and the Built Environment from 2014-2022, and Associate Head for Architecture from 2011-2014. Over the years, she has been invited to give countless keynote lectures or seminars/workshops on sustainability and architectural education in Britain, Europe, Australia, Sri Lanka and elsewhere.

Profile details to follow.

Kolawole Samuel Olure(KSO) completed his MSc in Environmental Health at UWE Bristol and currently serves as the re-elected President and Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Students’ Union at UWE. As a dynamic and driven individual, he brings a wealth of experience and passion to his role, striving to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all students. His leadership journey is anchored in championing the values of equality, diversity, and inclusivity on campus.
 
In addition to his responsibilities at UWE Bristol, Kolawole serves as an Advisory Board Member for the One City Living Rent Commission (Bristol City Council). This initiative, established by Bristol City Council and the City Office, aims to make Bristol an affordable living-rent city and empower tenants' rights in the private rented sector. His involvement in this commission underscores his commitment to social justice and community empowerment.

Entrepreneurship has always been a significant part of Kolawole's life. Over the years, he has successfully managed multiple businesses, leveraging his business acumen to create opportunities for others and drive positive change in his community. His educational journey began with a bachelor’s degree in animal science at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Ogbomosho, Oyo State. During his undergraduate years at LAUTECH, his innate leadership qualities became evident as he actively engaged in political activism, championing causes dear to his heart and advocating for student rights and welfare.

Additionally, Kolawole founded the Kolawole Samuel Olure Foundation (KSO), an NGO dedicated to promoting positive social change, alleviating suffering, and empowering vulnerable individuals through sustainable initiatives and advocacy.

As President of The Students’ Union at UWE, Kolawole's re-election is a testament to the positive impact of his leadership. He continues to work tirelessly to ensure that student voices are heard and their needs are met. His vision includes enhancing student engagement, promoting sustainability, and fostering an inclusive community where every student feels valued and supported.

In his free time, Kolawole enjoys playing football, reading, and continuous learning. He stays updated with current affairs and explores innovative ways to benefit the student body. His passion for making a positive impact, combined with his diverse experiences and entrepreneurial spirit, equips him to lead The Students’ Union at UWE to even greater heights, creating an enriching and inclusive experience for all students.

He has been deeply invested in amplifying the voices of the diverse student body, ensuring that every student feels heard, valued, and supported. One of his proudest achievements has been fostering inclusivity and organizing initiatives such as employability events to assist students in transitioning into the workforce with confidence and success during and after university.

Beyond his academic and leadership pursuits, Kolawole is honoured to serve as a councillor at Stoke Park and Cheswick Parish Council in Bristol, where he actively contributes to local governance and community development initiatives. His commitment to serving both the University and local communities exemplifies his dedication to creating a positive impact in every sphere of his life.

Previously Vice Chancellor of the University of South Wales (2010-2021), since her retirement she has focussed her non-executive roles to support education and charities. Her current board memberships include Board of Trustees Nelson Trust, Solent University Southampton and the University of the West of England. She is also an associate of Advanced HE with a particular interest in the development of leadership for women and good governance practices. She was awarded a DBE for services to higher education in the 2022 New Years Honours awards.

In January 2023 she was appointed by the Welsh Government Minister for Education as the first Chair of the Commission for Tertiary Education and research, a new arm’s length body responsible for the oversight and funding of all post sixteen education and research in Wales.

Julie became Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Wales Group on 11 April 2013, having previously held the role of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glamorgan from April 2010. Following completion of an honours degree in economics, she worked for the Tube Investments group for ten years in a variety of management roles. She has a strong reputation of academic leadership, including the merger which resulted in the formation of the University of South Wales, curriculum design, widening access, innovation, partnerships and quality.

Rob works as a lawyer in Osborne Clarke’s competition and trade team, where he qualified in 2022. He is also a trustee of SpecialEffect, an Oxfordshire-based charity which aims to support individuals with disabilities to access technology, especially videogames. He currently sits on Osborne Clarke’s Mind and Body committee, working on inclusivity for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions and those experiencing mental health challenges.

Previously a member of Law Society Disabled Solicitors Network, where he was part of the students and training project group, Rob used his experience of completing a part-time training contract when campaigning for part-time training contracts to become more widespread in the legal profession. Additionally, Rob has worked closely with Aspiring Solicitors, who supported him in gaining a training contract. This has included acting as a panel member on several of their vacation scheme and training contract advice days, and currently acting as a professional ambassador.

A keen sportsman, primarily in rugby and rowing before his injury, Rob has gone on to coach the Bristol Bears wheelchair rugby team. He maintains his love of rugby through watching Bristol, Gloucester and the occasional international match.

Ganapathi Subramaniam works for UPS, a Fortune 50 logistics provider, leading their Information Security function for Europe, Middle East, Africa, India and Latin America regions. Cyber Risk Management and Privacy are some of his core competencies.

With around 30 plus years of industry experience, he has held security leadership roles in various companies both in India and in the UK managing global teams. Some of his previous employers include Microsoft India (as its Chief Security Officer), Accenture India, PricewaterhouseCoopers UK, Ernst & Young UK and Flipkart (a multibillion online marketplace in India), where he was hired to run its Information Security function.

He has delivered and overseen the implementation of a number of security technology, security transformation and cyber risk management initiatives.

Between 2019 and 2022, he served as an Independent Trustee of Internet Watch Foundation, UK. In addition, he served as a member of their Finance Committee.

As a columnist, he has been writing regular columns in various international journals and has also been a regular conference speaker in various countries around the world, on security and risk. He wrote a regular column in the ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association, USA) journal.

As a visiting faculty, he had taught at leading academic institutions both in India and abroad. He served as a member of the Board of Studies of Department of Banking Technology, School of Management, Pondicherry University, India.

He has completed his Master's degree in Computer Applications from Pondicherry University and Master's degree in Financial Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management, affiliated to University of Mumbai, India. In addition, he holds a number of security and privacy certifications.

Jennifer is an experienced not-for-profit trustee and company director. She has a strong community focus, and has served as an independent board member, strategy committee member, and audit and risk committee member for several public sector and not-for-profit organisations.

Her current roles include serving as the co-opted independent member for the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) Audit Committee and the Wiltshire County Council Audit and Governance Committee. Previously, she has served as the co-opted independent member for the Somerset Council Audit and Risk Committee and as a trustee and Chair of North Somerset Arts.

Over her career spanning two decades, originally with the Big 4 accounting firms and management consultancies and later in industry, she has worked with leading companies and public sector organisations across most continents to deliver major programmes of work. Her areas of expertise include finance transformation and innovation, strategic risk management, and technology-enabled change. She has been accountable for achieving cost efficiency and revenue growth targets of >£100m, as well as delivering equivalent synergies for >£5b merger integrations. Most recently, she is currently the executive director of a finance transformation consultancy firm, with offices in the UK and Australia, engaged by Boards to design, plan, and execute complex business and cultural change.

Jennifer holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management and Bachelors of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.

Steve has been the Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer of UWE Bristol since 2008. The Vice-Chancellor is the academic leader and chief executive, responsible for the strategic oversight, financial sustainability and academic direction of the University. More information can be found on the Vice-Chancellor’s profile.