GDP: Governance in Wales

Professor Cara Aitchison has been President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff Metropolitan University since 2016 when she joined from Plymouth Marjon University where she was Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive (2013-2016).

Senior manager with a demonstrated history of leadership in the higher education industry, including in regulation and assurance, programme funding and research. Also experienced in local government, agriculture and rural affairs. Skilled in Strategic and Business Planning, Data Analysis and Science. Professional with an MBA from Oxford Brookes University.

Jacqui is Deputy Director of Assurance and Outcomes at the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), where she leads on institutional engagement, outcome agreements, learning and quality, governance and the assurance and accountability framework. She is also an independent governor at Bath Spa University. Prior to taking up her role at the SFC in March, Jacqui ran her own consultancy, supporting higher education providers on governance, regulatory and other matters. Jacqui started her consultancy after working for 11 years at the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Office for Students in a variety of roles. In her spare time, Jacqui writes and presents a monthly quiz at her local pub and also enjoys long distance walking – she is currently tackling the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path, having most recently completed the 630-mile South West Coast Path just before the pandemic lockdowns

Dr Ruth Gilligan is Assistant Director for UK Equality Charters at Advance HE. She is responsible for the strategic leadership of the Athena Swan Charter for gender equality and the Race Equality Charter which operate in the UK and internationally

Victoria joined Advance HE in February 2019 from the Office for Students and after 11 years at its predecessor the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). As Assistant Director, Governance she leads the development and delivery of Advance HE’s approach and work to support good governance to ensure it meets the needs of its members and clients in their rapidly evolving operating environments.

David Morris is currently Head of Lifelong Learning Policy in the Welsh Government where he was been working on the Tertiary Education and Research Act since 2019. Prior to joining Welsh Government David worked at the University of Greenwich, Wonkhe, and the National Union of Students.

Sophie graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in law, and subsequently worked in the law school’s pro bono department.