Please click to expand each speaker profile to read their biography. This page will be updated regularly.
Monday 9 June
Tuesday 10 June
Wednesday 11 June
Thursday 12 June
Your Summer School Host
Mark has worked in the Higher Education Sector at a senior leadership level since 1988 with a strong focus on the development of commercial, estates and facilities management services. He has chaired four different UK national sector bodies bringing together higher education professionals from a wide range of disciplines to share best practice and improve performance. He was appointed by UUK and GuildHE in 2022 as Chair of the UUK/GuildHE Governance Board for the sectors Accommodation Code of Practice. He is a member of the Committee of Management for the National Accommodation Codes of Practice operated by Unipol Student Housing. Mark has previously chaired international and national sector events and presented at leadership development programmes.
Mark has a master’s degree and is a graduate of the sector’s Entrepreneurial Leaders Programme delivered in partnership with Oxford University’s Siad Business School. He is also a graduate of the Work Foundation’s Oxford Balliol College Runge Effective Leadership Development Programme and a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership.
He was Chief Estates and Facilities Officer for Sheffield Hallam University between 2010 and 2020, one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the United Kingdom where he was responsible for its estates, facilities, commercial and academic timetabling functions. He delivered multi-million-pound campus developments including the RIBA award winning Heart of the Campus Social Sciences Building. In driving the sustainability agenda Mark lead the project which saw Sheffield Hallam gain the ISO for Environmental and Energy Management, a first for the sector.
He has throughout his career held a strong interest in education and training. His Directorate was the first in a UK University to be awarded Investors In People Gold and Recognised for Excellence from the British Quality Foundation. He opened the very first NVQ Centre for front line support staff in a UK HEI at Keele University in the 1980’s.
Mark is Vice Chair of DNColleges Group which is a dynamic education provider in South Yorkshire, Greater Lincolnshire, and the Humber Region, focused on transforming its communities through learning. The Group is the largest provider of Higher Education in Further Education and the largest provider of apprenticeships in the UK. He is a Trustee of Sheffield Town Trust the oldest non educational charity in the UK being established in 1297 and he is an active Associate of the Sheffield Mindfulness Centre.
He is a keen walker, mountain biker, runner, and ballroom dancer as well as spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Session 1: Influencing the Board
Trevor is Director of Estates & Facilities at the University of Plymouth where he has responsibility for services ranging from the capital build programme through to day-to-day running of the campuses. He has previously held similar positions at Nottingham Trent University and the University of Westminster, as well as in the health sector.
As a Chartered Surveyor, Trevor's experience has also included professional consultancy and the not-for-profit sector. He is a champion of lifelong learning in all its forms and was previously Chair of the AUDE Professional Development Group. Among his related professional interests, Trevor is Chair of the University Design Forum and is a board member of the Plymouth City Centre Company.
Session 2: Digital transformation of the estate
As the Director of Estates at the University of Oxford, I play an active role in the strategic planning and operational delivery of the university's world-class estate. I have 28 years of Senior NHS estate management experience and 10 years of Russell Group HE Director experience. My role focuses on sustainability and innovation, with a commitment to net zero carbon strategies. I manage campus environments, from heritage sites to new builds, through asset management and IoT deployment, supporting world-class research. I have a focus on the digital estates and am responsible for a unique portfolio of heritage buildings, enhancing the university experience for students, staff, and visitors.
I have significant experience in Campus Master planning. My career is marked by successful project delivery, efficiency improvements, and a dedication to excellence. I am also a Professorial Fellow and governing body member at Jesus College Oxford, a visiting lecturer, author and a trustee for a conservation charity, and a regular judge for various industry awards.
My legacy includes the delivery of a £1bn capital program at the University of Birmingham, a photographic summary of completed projects can be seen at birmingham.ac.uk/university/campus and includes the planning and delivery of a new 50,000 student campus in Dubai and numerous award winning new build and refurbishment projects.
Monday's Evening Speaker
Session 3: The Importance of ED&I to Leadership: being your true self and being an ally
Jane Harrison-White is the Executive Director of the Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE), a role she has held since 2015. In this capacity, she leads initiatives to support university estates and facilities management teams across the UK and internationally, aiming to foster innovation and excellence in creating optimal learning environments.
Jane's career spans over two decades, with significant contributions to both the public and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining AUDE, she served as Head of Research and Policy at the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), where she led substantial investments in academic research and facilitated the translation of research findings into practical applications. Her tenure at IOSH also included active participation in the United Nations 'Work Safe' campaign, where she led research and conferencing efforts across Europe and the Middle East.
Jane's earlier career includes extensive experience in local government estates management, notably with Leicestershire County Council. There, she played a pivotal role in overseeing estates and facilities, contributing to the development of safe and efficient educational environments.
Jane is also a Trustee at E-ACT, a multi-academy trust overseeing numerous academies across England.
An alumna of the University of Leicester, Jane holds a Master's degree in Geographical Information Systems and a Bachelor's degree in Human Geography and Populations. She is a Chartered Director of the Institute of Directors (IoD), a Chartered Member of IOSH, and a member of the Chartered Management Institute. Her commitment to continuous professional development is evident through her attainment of various qualifications, including a Diploma in Company Direction from the IoD and a Level 4 Management of Equality and Diversity in Organisations certification from the Institute of Leadership and Management.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Jane is an avid trail runner, reflecting her passion for adventure and the outdoors.
Stephen Wells has worked as a Director of Estates in the Higher Education (HE) sector for over sixteen years in a variety of different Universities. Currently Stephen is the Director of Estates and Facilities at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich. Stephen is a chartered member of the Institute of Building, with a degree in Project Management for construction and an MBA. Prior to working in the HE sector Stephen held similar roles within the NHS.
Stephen holds a number of non-executive roles, external governor at PETROC, a further education provider in mid and north Devon and is also a co-opted member of the resources and employability committee at the University of Bedfordshire. Stephen has also just finished his term as past Chair of the Association of University of Directors of Estates (AUDE); and continues to lead the special interest group for AUDE on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), AUDE is the representative body for higher education estates and facilities management (FM) in the UK.
Rachael Nightingale is the Head of Business Partnering within the Human Resources department at the University of Plymouth. In her role, she leads the HR Business Partnering and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) functions, focusing on aligning HR strategies with the university's objectives and promoting an inclusive work environment. Rachael is responsible for the provision of expertise and advice to leaders and managers right across the employee lifecycle to influence approaches and outcomes. She is committed to fostering effective workplace relationships and ensuring adherence to university policies and employment laws.
Session 4: Working with other teams and stakeholders in a university landscape
Session 5: The Sustainable Campus
Roddy is a sustainability expert with ideas and vision. He leads the University's Climate Change and Social Responsibility work. He is a strong and well-connected network builder who brings people together to enable climate action.
He is a Project Sponsor for scalar climate and social responsibility projects across all University assets, including the multi-award winning 10 project Climate Neutral Districts Vision.
Roddy sits on a number of panels and boards related to sustainability including:
Chair of Clyde Mission Net Zero Group; Convenor of Climate Ready Clyde; Board member of West Dunbartonshire Energy Company LLP; a member of the EAUC Advisory group; board member of Clyde Climate Forest Programme; external advisor to the Scottish Parliament Sustainability Board; Monklands Replacement Hospital Committee member; Glasgow Metro Strategic Advisory Group member and Trustee of the Friends of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Roddy is an EAUC Fellow and an IEMA Fellow.
Session 6: Tackling the challenges facing FM in HE
Lucy is Associate Director - Facilities & Student Accommodation at the University of Plymouth, delivering in-house and outsourced services. She is chair of the Association of University Director’s (AUDE) Strategic FM group, leading a group representing FM’s across the UK’s higher education sector.
With 30 years experience in facilities management, Lucy has previously held similar roles in university, local authority and charity sectors, leading and developing teams and services. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) where she was a non-executive director, Chair of Members’ Council and chaired the Sustainability Special Interest Group.
Session 7: The Mindful Leader
Mark retired from his role as Chief Estates and Facilities Officer at Sheffield Hallam University in 2020. He has 38 years’ experience in commercial, residential, estates and facilities management services, as well as academic timetabling and health and safety services.
Mark is currently the Chair of the UUK ACoP Governance Board and is also Vice Chair of the DN College Group one of the largest FE providers in the UK and a Trustee of Sheffield Town Trust. He is actively interested in leadership development, coaching and mentoring, business excellence, organisational values and mindfulness.
Tuesday's Evening Speaker
Session 8: The dark art of space management
Mark retired from his role as Chief Estates and Facilities Officer at Sheffield Hallam University in 2020. He has 38 years’ experience in commercial, residential, estates and facilities management services, as well as academic timetabling and health and safety services.
Mark is currently the Chair of the UUK ACoP Governance Board and is also Vice Chair of the DN College Group one of the largest FE providers in the UK and a Trustee of Sheffield Town Trust. He is actively interested in leadership development, coaching and mentoring, business excellence, organisational values and mindfulness.
Session 9: Backlog Maintenance/Compliance
Session 10: How to hold a room
Louisa Clarke is a qualified and highly experienced verbal communication specialist. She trained and worked as a professional actor before studying for an MFA in Voice on the prestigious course at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, graduating with distinction. She is also a qualified Restorative Facilitator.
Since 2014 Louisa has worked in both the creative and corporate sectors. She now runs her own business, Confidently There, working with organisations and individuals alike to promote the effectiveness and power of ethical communication strategies as a cultural choice.
@confidentlythere
Wednesday's Evening Speaker
Session 11: When No Means Grow - Navigating Estate Management during Financially Challenging Period
Syd is the Chair of AUDE, NW Regional Chair and member of the AUDE EDI and Professional Development Groups. He is in his ninth year at the University of Liverpool following on from six years within the NHS and prior to that at Edge Hill University for over eleven years.
Syd's honours degree is in Building Surveying. Now, with over 30 years in the construction, estates and facilities sector, Syds breadth and depth of experience is demonstrated by the range of professional qualifications he holds: Fellow of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers, Chartered Environmentalist, Chartered Builder and Certified member of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management along with project management, H&S and business continuity qualifications.
Whilst in the NHS Syd was active within the Health Estates & Facilities Management Association and was also NW Regional Chair for the Chartered Association of Building Engineers.
Session 11: Crisis management and leadership in higher education: strategies for effective response
As Director of Estates, Facilities & Residences at Aberystwyth University, I oversee estate strategy, capital development, and operations, leading a team of 300+ staff. With 28 years in the Civil Service and eight in Higher Education, I have delivered major infrastructure projects, sustainability initiatives, and multimillion-pound savings. I spearhead strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and operational improvements, ensuring a high-quality environment for students and staff. Known for strategic vision and operational excellence, I drive innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in estate management to support institutional success. I am passionate about nurturing future estates leaders and fostering an inclusive environment, actively supporting and mentoring aspiring professionals in the sector.
