University Steering Group

As part of the University’s commitment to equality and diversity within and beyond its community, individual members of our senior management team also act as inclusion champions in relation to each of the nine protected characteristics.

University Steering Group comprises:

• The Vice-Chancellor, who is the senior academic and administrative officer and the de facto Chief Executive of the University with overall responsibility for the leadership and management of the institution and the University’s Accountable Officer.
• The Deputy Vice-Chancellor* who provides strategic academic oversight for the delivery of the University’s Strategic Plan. This includes executive responsibility for the University’s planning, performance and resource allocation processes, outreach and student recruitment, and capital planning and space management. 
• The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education* and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research*, who are each responsible for developing the University’s Education and Research Strategies and for ensuring the effective implementation of these strategies.
• The Executive Deans* of our three Faculties (Arts and Humanities; Science and Health; and Social Sciences) who are the heads of each Faculty. 
• The Registrar and Secretary who is the head of our Professional Services and University Secretary to Council.
• The Chief of Staff who supports the VC with strategic projects, as well as coordinating the work of the senior team to ensure effective development and delivery of the University’s strategic objectives.
• The Chief Financial Officer who is responsible for the University's financial management and supporting the University’s planning and data analysis.

*Academic members of USG also spend 20 per cent of their time undertaking research at the highest level and maintaining and developing their research careers.

Professor Maria Fasli, Acting Vice-Chancellor

The University Ordinances state that the Vice-Chancellor: ‘shall have a general responsibility to the Council for maintaining and promoting the efficiency and good order of the University.’ She is responsible to the University Council and is an ex officio member of the Council and of the Senate, which she chairs. The Vice-Chancellor also chairs the University Steering Group (USG), the executive leadership team which meets fortnightly during term time and advises the Vice-Chancellor on matters relating to the management of the University.

Contact

Mariella O'Brien, PA to the Vice-Chancellor
T. 01206 872815
E. mariella.obrien@essex.ac.uk

Professor Neil Kellard, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor Neil Kellard provides strategic academic oversight for the delivery of the University’s strategic plan. This includes executive responsibility for the University’s planning, performance and resource allocation processes, outreach and student recruitment, and capital planning and space management. Neil leads on the development and implementation of the University’s human resources strategy, including executive leadership of equality, diversity and inclusion. As Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Kellard is a member of the University Steering Group, Policy and Resources Committee, Senate and Council.

Contact

Sally Morris, PA to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
T. 01206 872436
E. sally.morris@essex.ac.uk

Professor Chris Greer, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Greer is responsible for developing the University’s research strategy (including the dissemination and application of the University’s research through knowledge transfer activities, and consultancy), and for ensuring the effective implementation of the strategy. He is a member of the University Steering Group, Policy and Resources Committee and Senate.

Inclusion Champion: Trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people.

Contact

Hannah Pryke, PA to the Pro-Vice-Chancellors
T. 01206 872810
E. Hannah.pryke@essex.ac.uk

Professor Larra Anderson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Anderson is responsible for developing the University’s education strategy (covering both undergraduate and postgraduate education, and both the academic and extra-curricular experience of students), and for ensuring the effective implementation of this strategy. She is a member of the University Steering Group, Policy and Resources Committee and Senate, and is one of the University's gender diversity champions.

Inclusion Champion: Race

Contact

Hannah Pryke, PA to the Pro-Vice-Chancellors
T. 01206 872810
E. Hannah.pryke@essex.ac.uk

Professor John Preston, Executive Dean (Faculty of Social Sciences)

Professor John Preston provides academic leadership to the Faculty of Social Sciences in its pursuit of the purpose, aims and objectives set out in the University’s Strategic Plan. He is responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the Faculty including devolved responsibility for financial management. Professor Preston line manages Faculty Deans (Undergraduate), Faculty Dean (Research), Faculty Dean (Postgraduate) and the Heads of Department in the Faculty. He is directly supported by a Faculty support team led by a Faculty Manager, and by relevant colleagues in Professional Services. As Executive Dean Professor Preston is a member of the University Steering Group and Senate.

Inclusion Champion: Muslim staff and students

Contact

Nikki Jackson, PA and Faculty Administrator
T: 01206 872690
E: ss-pa@essex.ac.uk

Professor Sanja Bahun, Executive Dean (Arts and Humanities)

Professor Sanja Bahun provides academic leadership to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in its pursuit of the purpose, aims and objectives set out in the University’s Strategic Plan. She is responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the Faculty including devolved responsibility for financial management. Professor Bahun line manages the Faculty Deputy Dean (Education), Deputy Dean (Research)  and the Heads of Department in the Faculty and is directly supported by a Faculty support team led by a Faculty Manager, and by relevant colleagues in professional services.

Inclusion Champion: Jewish Students and Staff

Contact

Julie Storey, Faculty Administrator
T: 01206 874406
E: humadmin@essex.ac.uk

Professor Graham Underwood, Acting Executive Dean (Faculty of Science and Health)

Professor Underwood provides academic leadership to the Faculty of Science and Health in its pursuit of the purpose, aims and objectives set out in the University’s Strategic Plan. He is responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the Faculty including devolved responsibility for financial management. He line manages the Faculty Deputy Dean (Education), Deputy Dean (Research)  and the Heads of Department in the Faculty and is directly supported by a Faculty support team led by a Faculty Manager, and by relevant colleagues in professional services.

Inclusion Champion: Age, sex, gender, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships

Contact

Jen Eames, Executive Officer and Faculty Coordinator
T: 01206 874520
E: jeames@essex.ac.uk

Bryn Morris, Registrar and Secretary

As Registrar and Secretary, Bryn reports to the Vice-Chancellor and is responsible for the administration of the University.

Inclusion Champion: Disability

Contact

Tracey Barnes, PA to the Registrar and Secretary
T. 01026 872816
E. tbarnes@essex.ac.uk

Andrew Keeble, Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Andrew reports to the Registrar and Secretary and is responsible for the University's financial management.

Inclusion Champion: Faith and Belief

Contact

Nigel Appleton, Executive Officer and Office Manager
T. 01206 874682
E. naapple@essex.ac.uk

Monica Illsley, Chief of Staff

As Chief of Staff, Monica reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anthony Forster, supporting him in delivering his responsibilities as the chief executive of the University. As well as being a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s senior management team, Monica is responsible for coordinating the work of the senior team to ensure effective development and delivery of the University’s strategic objectives. She is also responsible for ensuring that the Vice-Chancellor is fully connected with both internal and external stakeholders and in touch with sector-wide policy and political developments.

Inclusion Champion: LGBTQ+

Contact

Sarah Harris, PA to the Chief of Staff
T: 01206 874079
E: saharris@essex.ac.uk