Amy Baker is CEO of The PIE, a business created to inform, inspire and connect a global community of leaders in higher education and study abroad. The PIE's flagship news website reaches two million readers each year and Amy is a regular commentator and host of events focused on the international education industry's latest developments. 

The PIE organises regular conferences in the UK, Australia and USA and globally renowned event The PIEoneer Awards. It also has a division, The PIE Exec Search, which helps people find the right talent that understands the business of international education. Amy is passionate about the development of the sector, edtech, international exchange and business, migration and education as a global passport. 

Amy Baker

Dr Caroline Baylon

Caroline joined the University of Reading on 1 August 2023. Her previous role was Director International at the University of Bristol and before this she worked as Director of International Partnerships at the University of Bath, heading up its International Relations Office.

Caroline has held a number of senior roles such as Head of International Development at the University of the Arts London (UAL) and Head of International Strategy at the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Her career has also seen her work as a Project Manager in the Research and Enterprise division at the University of Bristol, and as a Financial Analyst at the Ministry of Defence.

Caroline holds a BA in Public Policy and Management from the Institut d'études politiques de Grenoble in France, and an MA in European Studies (Euromasters) and a Doctorate in Business Administration (Higher Education Management) from the University of Bath.

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), Dr Caroline Baylon leads on the University’s strategic international goals. This includes overseeing important student recruitment objectives, our international campuses, transnational education and research partnerships, and global engagement to enhance Reading’s international profile, reputation and relationships in key regions. She is on the University Executive Board.

Sally Smith is the Director of International Strategy & Relations, University of Warwick. Sally leads the International Strategy and Relations Team (ISR). ISR are responsible for enabling the connectivity between Warwick and a range of partners, agencies, and stakeholders globally, through the formation of mutually beneficial collaborations, which contribute to society, enhancing our research and education excellence and relevance, in support of the institutional strategy.

Sally is committed to the development of internationalisation practices within Higher Education and has worked in international development roles for the past 20 years, holding positions at a range of institutions, including UCAS, where she led a sector wide review. Prior to joining the ISR team in 2021 Sally held the position of Head of Student Recruitment at Warwick, and has been closely connected to Warwick’s global engagement activities for the past 8 years.

Sally Smith

Professor Nina-Anne Lawrence

Nina-Anne is Head of Department and Director of Warwick Foundation Studies (WFS). Her specialism is EAP and international education with a range of expertise including international pathways.

Nina-Anne is a global strategic leader with experience gained from living and working in the UK, China, Germany and the Republic of Ireland. She has expertise in balancing academic quality and superior student experience with the strategic goals and objectives of an organisation gained through roles including Director of Academic Affairs, Director of International Affairs, Head of International Business Development, Academic Director, Head of Department and CEO.

Nina-Anne is also the Chair of the University Pathway Alliance, a member of the University of Warwick Council and a member of the editorial board for the InForm Journal. She has authored the book, Business Presentations, published by Longman.

Rob Stroud is Director of Assessment Services and Access to Higher Education at QAA. He joined QAA in 2022 and was responsible for leading the Designated Quality Body function, until QAA ceased to perform that role in March 2023. This included working closely with the Office for Students, and the delivery of our methods to assess quality and standards for new providers, providers seeking degree-awarding powers and the external quality assurance for end-point assessment organisations (also working with IfATE).

Previously, he held senior roles at the OfS, and HEFCE, and has experience in student protection, the regulation of independent providers, teaching funding policy, the design and operation of student number controls, and a background in student experience policy and practice from earlier roles.

Rob Stroud