Meet our new Council members
We have welcomed three new members to University Council - Stef Calcraft, Alison Hatcher, and Dame Bernadette Kelly. Council is Warwick's governing body responsible for financial management, oversight of property and facilities, and ensuring the effective conduct of University affairs.
We caught up with the new members to find out a little bit about their backgrounds and why they wanted to join our Council.
Stef Calcraft
Why did you want to join Council?
"Warwick’s journey has been extraordinary. From birth to becoming one of the most celebrated universities in the UK and internationally, in just 60 years. I spent four years at the University myself and vividly remember the energy and the sense of opportunity all around. Being able to contribute to the next chapter is a rare privilege and I am excited at what the future holds for Warwick."
"Having spent my career working across the creative industries, I am ultimately motivated by bringing people and ideas together. Helping brands and businesses fulfil their potential by creating lasting meaning in people’s lives changes everything for the better. To do this, I passionately believe in the power of vision, humanity, diversity and simplicity."
More about Stef
As Global CEO of Creative Futures at EssenceMediacom, Stef leads the agency’s creative divisions around the world, integrating creative, media, data and technology.
Stef is also the co-founder of Mother, one of advertising’s most iconic and celebrated agencies. In 2023, Stef and his Mother co-founders were presented with the D&AD President's Award. An accolade given once a year to a “legend whose contribution to the industry has been nothing but inspirational”.
As a Warwick Alum, Stef gave the Alumni Graduation Ceremony speech in 2018 and began working with Warwick Business School in 2021. In 2023, Stef gave a Distinguished Lecture Series presentation for WBS at The Shard and in 2024, a Lecture to the MBA Graduate Class at WBS.
Alison Hatcher
Why did you want to join Council?
"I attended the University of Warwick, where I met some of my best friends. I was never one with clear direction and I believe that Warwick was a wonderful university that offered opportunity to so many different kinds of students. Warwick not only educated me, but it helped shape me as a person. Without knowing it this was the start of being part of a family that I never even really valued until I started my career where I met others who had enjoyed time at the University."
"As a purpose driven individual I have sought to give back through supporting society via housing, education and financial wellbeing. I really want to support students, the local community and the sector through this role in a hope that the Warwick experience can bring joy and happiness to others as it has for me."
More about Alison
Alison is Head of Trusteeship at Vidett Limited - the UK's largest professional trustee and pension governance firm. Before joining Vidett Ltd, Alison was an independent pensions consultant, professional trustee and Non-Executive Director (NED) of The Pensions Regulator (TPR). Alison previously had a long career with HSBC where she was CEO of HSBC Retirement Services Limited and Head of Global Pension Strategy Corporate Clients.
Alison is one of the founders of Women in Pensions, an industry group set up to support women and talent in the pensions industry. Her vast pensions experience also includes previously sitting on the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) Board.
Outside of pensions and finance, Alison likes keeping healthy and active – whether that be through horse-riding or hitting the yoga mats. Fitness fact: she even used to own a workout studio!
Bernadette Kelly
Why did you want to join Council?
"Universities play a vital role in our society and this is particularly true of Warwick. In my career in Government, working on industrial strategy, regional economic development, research and innovation and transport, and more recently on growing our civil service skills base in the West Midlands, I have often worked with Warwick and know it as a world-class institution with a reputation for excellence, and a vital player in the economy of the region."
"Now I have left the Civil Service, I am delighted to have the opportunity to play a part in the future of Warwick, where I hope my experience of nearly 40 years in Government will add value to the Council. In addition to my work on public policy I am passionate about social mobility so I'm particularly pleased to join a University that I know is leading the way on social inclusion.
More about Bernadette
As a graduate, Bernadette joined the Civil Service and spent most of her career working on public policy in relation to business and the economy. Most recently, Bernadette was Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport.
As Permanent Secretary she helped to lead the transport sector through the challenges of Brexit and Covid. She was also Social Mobility Champion for the Civil Service. Earlier in her career she led work in government to reform planning, boost housing supply, reform corporate governance, and on industrial strategy, regional growth and devolution.
Bernadette was awarded a Damehood (DCB) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2022. Prior, Bernadette was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 2010.
Council biographies
Read full biographies of all of our Council members
New Chair of Council
Neil Sachdev, current member of Council, is taking on the role of Chair of Council following Sir David Normington stepping downLink opens in a new window. Look out for more from Neil in the coming weeks.