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Neil Sachdev MBE
Neil Sachdev is the University’s Chair of Council and Pro-Chancellor. Neil joined Council as an independent member in 2016 and served as Treasurer and Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee from 2020 to July 2025. Neil also chairs the Nominations Committee, Honorary Degrees Committee and the University of Warwick Foundation, and is a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
Neil holds a number of Chair and NED appointments within both private and public sectors. He is currently Chair of the Board for HM Land Registry as well as the East West Rail Co and incoming Chair of Natural Resources Wales from November 2025.
Neil also enjoys Non-Executive Director roles on property and supervisory Boards for both Network Rail and the London Continental Railway.
Previously, a Group Property Director of J Sainsbury for 10 years, and before that, 28 years with Tesco, as Stores Board Director, responsible for property and operations for the UK business.
Neil was awarded an MBE for his work in relation to Energy Efficiency & Sustainability and an MBA from Stirling University where he studied part time whilst starting his career at Tesco.
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Jayne Nickalls
Jayne Nickalls is Vice-Chair of the University Council and Pro-Chancellor. Jayne began her first term of office in January 2023. Prior to this, Jayne served as an Independent Member of Council since August 2019. Jayne chairs the Fundraising Ethics Committee and was formerly Chair of Audit and Risk Committee and a member of the Finance and General Purposes committee.
Jayne has had a thirty-year executive career, with leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, with organisations operating in complex environments. Jayne led Directgov (the UK citizen information service, now GOV.UK) for over five years, leading the organisation from start-up to an established business, at the heart of the government's digital strategy in the Cabinet Office.
This was followed by a non-executive portfolio, latterly with Jadu (ongoing) the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). At the PPF Jayne was a member of the Risk and Audit Committee and Chair of the Remuneration Committee.
Jayne is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).
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Yewande Akinola MBE
Yewande Akinola is an independent member of the University Council. Yewande began her first term of office in February 2020 and her second term is due to end on 31 July 2026. Yewande is also a member of the Honorary Degrees Committee and Warwick Business School Advisory Board and Chairs the University Estate and Environment Committee.
Yewande is an award winning Chartered Design Engineer and Innovator, specialising in Design and Construction, Innovation and Manufacture of buildings and systems for the built environment. She has worked on projects in the U.K., Africa, the Middle East and in East Asia.
Yewande is also a TV presenter for Engineering Television programmes.
Yewande was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2020 New Year Honour’s list for services to Engineering Innovation and Diversity in STEM.
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Junaid Bajwa
Junaid Bajwa is an independent member of the University Council. Junaid began his first term of office in May 2023 and this term is due to end in July 2026.
Junaid is also a Board member of one of the UK’s largest research hospitals (UCLH), Board member of the MHRA (the UK’s regulator for medicines, and medical devices in the UK), and Governor at Nuffield Health (the UK’s largest Health Charity). He was previously the Global Lead for Strategic Alliances and Solutions for the Global Digital Centre of Excellence at Merck Sharp & Dohme, where he led a range of strategic initiatives to improve patient care, including establishment of internal partnerships across the enterprise and external partnerships across the health care ecosystem. He cofounded “VelocityHealth” as Europe’s first prevention focused digital-health accelerator, in partnership with Telefonica, and led his team to deliver the “NHS Testbed” in partnership with Verily Life Sciences (part of Alphabet), which the Health Service Journal recognized the “Best Pharmaceutical Partnership with the NHS” in 2018.
Previously, Junaid has worked across primary care, secondary care, and public health settings in addition to acting as a payer, and policy maker within the UK, where he specialized in informatics, digital transformation, and leadership. He has consulted for health care systems across the US, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Europe, in addition to being seconded by the NHS to work with IBM. Junaid completed his MBA at the Imperial College Business School in London and has studied health strategy and quality improvement at both Harvard and the Institute of Healthcare Improvement in Boston. Academically, he is a Clinical Associate Professor at UCL (University College London), an Associate Fellow at the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI Center), and a Visiting Scientist at the Harvard School of Public Health.
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Stef Calcraft
Stef Calcraft is an independent member of the University Council. Stef joined Council in August 2025.
Stef Calcraft is Global CEO of Creative Futures at EssenceMediacom and leads the agency’s creative divisions around the world. Global pioneers in leading the integration of creative, media, data and technology, Creative Futures is designed to bring the most progressive strategic and creative thinking to all EssenceMediacom clients and partners.
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”. While at Mother, Stef was also a silent founding partner of Naked Communications, a trail-blazing communications agency in the 2000s. Stef has also served as Non-Executive Director for Blue Rubicon, now part of Global CEO Advisory Firm Teneo, and as an adviser to Sir Ridley Scott culminating in the launch of Ridley Scott Creative Group. Before joining EssenceMediaCom, Stef was Executive Chairman of Dentsu International UK & Ireland. Stef began his career in marketing at Unilever.
Working with The University, 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.
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Professor Stuart Croft
Stuart became the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Warwick in February 2016, moving from his previous role as the University’s Provost and prior to this as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Arts and Social Sciences). Stuart has been part of Warwick’s community since 2007, when he joined the Politics and International Studies department as Professor of International Security.
Stuart chairs the Financial Plan Committee and is a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, Nominations Committee, Honorary Degrees Committee, University Estate and Environment Committee, University of Warwick Foundation and the Investment Sub-Committee.
Working with colleagues, Stuart is responsible for ensuring the University of Warwick delivers excellent education and research within the region, nationally and internationally. Stuart’s work is in the field of security studies for which he has previously held senior posts at the University of Birmingham, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the British International Studies Association.
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Professor Caroline Meyer
Caroline is Provost at the University of Warwick where she supports the Vice-Chancellor in the academic leadership of the University. A key aspect of her role is leading the development and delivery of the University’s academic strategy, ensuring that Warwick remains competitive and relevant within HE and beyond. She is responsible for the efficient and effective use of academic resources, including departmental resources, capital planning and space management, and information resources.
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James Furse OBE
James Furse is an independent member of the University Council and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, having previously chaired the Remuneration Committee. He began his first term of office in August 2021 and his second term is due to end on 31 July 2027. James was awarded an OBE in the King's 2023 New Year's Honours list for his public service.
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Alison Hatcher
Alison Hatcher is an independent member of the University Council. Alison joined Council in August 2025, having previously served on the Investment Sub-Committee.
Alison is Head of Trusteeship at Vidett Limited. Before joining Vidett Ltd. in May 2025, 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 has been an advocate in the market to improve member value, having set up new pension structures and strategies, shaping policy and negotiating complex regulatory and commercial situations.
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.
Alison is also a NED of the Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association.
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!
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Kate Holden
Kate Holden is an independent member of the University Council and a member of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Kate began her first term of office in January 2024 and this term is due to end on 31st December 2026.
Kate is a Non-Executive Director and Board Advisor with expertise in business transformation in both the public and private sectors, and has a particular focus on digital service delivery in complex environments. She combines strategic, commercial and international experience with a strong understanding of technology, financial oversight, risk management, diversity and culture.
She currently works across a broad portfolio of organisations, including the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, The Leadership High and several tech start-ups. She consults and advises organisations facing strategic choices and responding to the challenges of today's digital disruptions to achieve scale, grow market share and deliver profitable results. She also enjoys mentoring - both in corporate and start up environments.
This follows 25+ years in senior executive roles with FTSE 100 businesses, multinationals and Tech Startups in the Media, Information Services and Education industries including managing Business Units at RELX PLC, Pearson PLC, Financial Times and McGraw-Hill Education.
Kate is also a freeman of the City of London and a member of the Worshipful Company of Marketors’ governing Board - a City Livery Company which promotes Marketing as a force for economic and social good.
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Richard Hyde
Richard Hyde is an independent member of the University Council. Richard began his first term of office in May 2021 and his second term is due to end in 2027. Richard is also a member of the University Estate and Environment Committee, Honorary Degrees Committee and is Chair of the Council Connect Programmes Sub-Group.
Richard is Chief Executive of a construction products company. He has combined the leadership of his business with non-executive public sector roles focused on housing, the built environment and regeneration. This has included a number of nationally significant and complex organisations. He has a degree in Economics and qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
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Dame Bernadette Kelly
Bernadette Kelly is an independent member of the University Council. Bernadette joined Council in August 2025.
Bernadette was most recently Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport, starting in April 2017. Before that Bernadette was Director General, Rail Group in DfT from September 2015 and prior to that she was a Director General at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) from April 2010.
Bernadette joined the Civil Service after graduating. She has spent most of her career working on public policy in relation to business and the economy. She has led work in government to reform the planning regime for major infrastructure; boost housing supply; establish the Competition and Markets Authority; strengthen utility regulation; reform corporate governance; and on industrial strategy and local growth and devolution.
In addition to DfT and BIS, Bernadette has worked in the Department for Communities and Local Government, HM Treasury, the Cabinet Office and the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit; as well as on secondment to ICI plc.
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.
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Professor Nina-Anne Lawrence
Professor Nina-Anne Lawrence is a Senate representative on Council.
Nina-Anne is Head of Department and Director of Warwick Foundation Studies (WFS) and her specialism is international education.
She 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 educational organisation gained through roles including Director of Academic Affairs, Director of International Affairs, Head of International Business Development, Academic Director and CEO.
Nina-Anne is also the Chair of the University Pathway Alliance and on the editorial board for the InForm Journal. She has authored the book, Business Presentations, published by Longman.
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Professor Tim Lockley MBE
Professor Tim Lockley is one of the four academic members of staff who are nominated to represent the Senate on the University Council. Tim's current term of office on Council is due to end on 31 July 2027.
Tim is a social historian of the colonial and antebellum southern United States as well as the greater Caribbean. He has published numerous books and articles on slavery, class and poverty, and more recently on medical history. He has additional research interests in the history of cricket and classical music broadcasting. Tim came to Warwick in 1996 and during that time he has held research grants from the AHRC and the British Academy. He has been Head of History since 2021. Outside of Warwick Tim is the chair of Harbury Parish Council and was appointed MBE for his services to the community in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2021.
Tim is the Head of Department of History and a Professor of North American history.
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Professor Mark Newton
Professor Mark Newton is one of the four academic members of staff who are nominated to represent the Senate on the University Council. Mark's current term of office on Council is due to end on 31 July 2026.
Professor Mark Newton is the Head of the Department of Physics and holds a Chair in Experimental Physics. Mark has published over 150 papers and patents, supervised more than 30 PhD students, a sustained track record of research funding (e.g. active projects total over £10 million of funding) and a strong track record of working with industry. Mark has won both university-level and departmental teaching prizes and is strong advocate of Research led Teaching.
With Professor Julie Macpherson, Mark was winner of the 2017 Royal Society Innovation Award.
Mark has appeared on the BBC’s Bang Goes the Theory and Radio 4 talking about the synthesis of diamond and the high-tech applications of lab-grown diamond, and with Prof Julie Macpherson co-organised exhibitions highlighting the extraordinary properties of lab grown diamond at the 2016 Royal Society Summer Exhibition and 2015 Science Museum Lates.
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Sam Parr
Sam Parr is the professional services member of the University Council. Sam was elected by Professional Services colleagues to serve as a member of the University Council for three years. Sam began his first term of office in January 2024 and this term is due to end on 31 July 2026.
Sam is Programme Manager for the Community Values Education Programme at Warwick, an initiative dedicated to promoting the University's values internally and supporting students and staff to create and uphold a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Sam joined the University as an undergraduate Physics student in 2008 and has worked at the University since 2013 in a variety of roles across Professional Services. He is also co-chair of the LGBTQUIA+ Taskforce and staff lead for the Queering University programme at Warwick. His interests lie particularly in values education, active bystander intervention, social inclusion, and queering practices.
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Maya Prabhu
Maya Prabhu is an independent member of the University Council. Maya began her first term of office in May 2023 and this term is due to end in July 2026. Maya is also a member of the Nominations Committee, Finance and General Purposes Committee and the Warwick Business School Advisory Board.
Maya is a Managing Director for the UK Domestic and Crown Dependencies business at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. In her role, she leads a team of client advisors dedicated to helping clients define their wealth purpose and achieve their goals. Her team offers comprehensive support, from thought leadership and wealth planning to banking, investing, lending, philanthropy, and family governance. Maya is responsible for driving the strategy and growth of the Private Bank’s presence across the UK.
With nearly two decades of experience as a trusted advisor to wealthy individuals and families across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, she brings deep expertise in family governance (processes for developing culture, teamwork and communication), next-generation engagement, family office creation, and rewarding philanthropy strategies.
Maya holds practicing certificates in Family Business Advising and Family Wealth Advising from the Family Firm Institute (Boston, USA), a Certificate in Executive Coaching from the Henley Business School (University of Reading) and is an accredited mediator from Regents University. She is a member of the teaching faculty for the Family Firm Institute’s GEN courses and for the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioner’s Diploma Certificate in Private Client Advising.
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Dr Gavin Schwartz-Leeper
Dr Gavin Schwartz-Leeper is Chair of the Academic Freedom Review Committee and therefore one of the four academic members of staff who are nominated to represent the Senate on the University Council. Gavin's term on Council began in January 2025.
Gavin is Associate Professor in Liberal Arts in the School of Cross-faculty Studies, with an interest in transdisciplinary approaches to issues of perception, especially in relation to uses of the past.
Gavin was appointed as Deputy Dean of Students in 2023 and alongside this role teaches on several modules and supervises dissertations within Liberal Arts and the School for Cross-faculty Studies.
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Wayne Snow
Wayne Snow is the Treasurer of the University and an independent member of the University Council. Wayne is also a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Wayne is currently a Senior Advisor at the Bank of England where he advises the bank on insurance policy and firm supervision.
Prior to joining the Bank Wayne was the Group Chief Risk Officer for the Liverpool Victoria and Phoenix Group insurance companies and is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.
Wayne is also a Trustee and Audit Committee Chair for Queer Britain, the UK's first national LGBTQ+ museum.
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Ananya Sreekumar
Ananya is the Vice-President for Education of Warwick Students' Union and is a student member of the University Council for the 2025-26 academic year.
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Alijah Taha
Alijah is the President of Warwick Students' Union and is a student member of the University Council for the 2025-26 academic year.
Alijah’s journey into leadership has been shaped by diverse experiences across public service, intercultural dialogue, and political activism. He initially undertook military officer training but chose to leave the service after recognising conflicts with his personal values. He went on to complete a BSc in Business with a specialisation in Human Resource Management, graduating as the highest-achieving student in his cohort.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Alijah worked with local government to support vulnerable communities, covering thousands of homes on foot to provide assistance with healthcare and vaccinations. He later became a facilitator with Soliya, an international organisation dedicated to fostering intercultural dialogue, after first engaging with the programme as an alumnus. His facilitation work deepened his belief in dialogue and cooperation across boundaries, values that also informed his role as a political activist advocating for democracy under restrictive conditions in his home country.
Seeking to further his education, Alijah pursued a Master’s in Business Analytics at Warwick Business School, where his passion for student representation grew. He was elected Vice President for Postgraduates in 2024–25, a role that strengthened his commitment to championing the postgraduate experience, inclusion, and the power of student voice. In 2025, after an election that was followed more closely than any in recent memory and took months to conclude, he was re-elected as President. His return to office reflects both the resilience of Warwick’s student democracy and the enduring power of collective student voice.
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