Membership of Council 2023/24

Joe Docherty, Lay Member and Chair of Council

Joe Docherty joined Durham University as Chair of Council in October 2018. Joe previously served as a lay member of Council between 2007 and 2016.

Joe began his career in Barclays PLC, and was a Director in their Structured Finance team within the UK Corporate Banking Division. His other roles included heading Tees Valley Regeneration, Deputy Chief Executive at Home Group and Chief Executive Officer of NCG (previously Newcastle College Group). He has held a number of non-executive positions and is an alumni of the University of Strathclyde and Harvard Business School.

Jonathan Bewes, Lay Member

Jonathan joined Council as a lay member in November 2018. 

After graduating from Durham University in 1987, Jonathan qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG. He then spent 25 years as an Investment Banker, advising the Boards of large, predominantly UK companies on a wide range of financial and strategic issues.

He now serves as Vice-Chairman, Corporate and Institutional Banking at Standard Chartered Bank.

Richard Dale, Lay Member

Richard joined Council as a lay member in August 2024. 

Richard was Executive Director of Finance at Newcastle University and since the conclusion to that role, Richard became an external member of Durham University's Audit and Risk Committee and a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

A Durham alum, richard graduated with a BSc in Mathematics and is a member of Van Mildert College, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and will Chair the University's Audit and Risk Committee.

Leslie Ferrar, Lay Member and Deputy Chair

Leslie joined Council as lay member in November 2020.

Leslie studied Chemistry at Durham and joined what is now the accountancy firm KPMG. She qualified in 1979, joined the tax department and became a partner in 1988. In 2005, she became Treasurer to HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

Leslie acts as an adviser and has worked with several not for profit organisations including Digby Stuart College and Roehampton University, Woldingham School, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Queens Commonwealth Trust. 

Oliver Foster, Lay Member

Oliver joined Council as a lay member in August 2024.

Oliver has over 20 years' corporate public relations experience, is recognised as one of the Top 100 Political Consultants, and regularly features in PR Week's Power Book of leading communications professionals.

A Durham alum, Oliver graduated with a degree in European Studies and French and is currently the Chief Executive of PR consultancy Pagefield Communications; a Trustee for the National Centre for Social Research, where he is a member of their Business Development and Communications sub-committees; and is a member of the advisory board of Omaze.

James Grierson, Lay Member

James joined Council as a lay member in February 2017.

James is a Chartered Surveyor. He is a former Equity Partner of Donaldson’s, Senior Director of DTZ Plc and former Chairman of the RICS Public Sector Executive. He is a part time advisor to Savills Plc and provides strategic property advice to selected clients.

James is a graduate of Aberdeen and Bradford Universities. He has served on various public sector and charitable boards in a non-executive capacity.

Professor Denise Lievesley, Lay Member

Denise joined Council as lay member in November 2020.

A graduate and Fellow of University College London, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in June 2014 for services to social science.

Denise is a statistician with previous roles as Principal of Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy in King’s College London, Chief Executive of the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre, and Director of Statistics at UNESCO. 

She has campaigned for the importance of professional, quality statistical services which set the agenda for official data to be collected unhindered by political interference, and which are free to publish uncomfortable truths.

Cheryl Millington, Lay Member

Cheryl joined Council as a lay member in February 2020.

She graduated from Durham with a degree in Physics and has over 25 years' experience leading business transformation and managing large scale, complex business. Previous executive roles include Group Chief Executive at Equiniti Plc, Chief Digital Officer at Travis Perkins, Waitrose and Asda and Managing Director of the Retail Branch Network at HBOS.

She has extensive board experience in the public and private sector. 

Nigel Perry MBE, Lay Member

Nigel joined Council as a lay member in August 2018. 

He is a Director of the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) having been its founding CEO from inception in 2003 until March 2020. He previously worked for ICI Plc in engineering, project and business roles and with PwC Consulting working on the European high technology sector.

Nigel was awarded an MBE in June 2016 for services to Engineering.

Robert Senior, Lay Member

Robert joined Council as a lay member in August 2023. 

Robert is a communications specialist, particularly in the field of advertising and change management, and is a Founding Partner at Redrice Ventures, previously Worldwide CEO at Saatchi & Saatchi, and Board Member at Selbey Anderson, Castore Sportswear, Eagle Eye Solutions, and Boys & Girls Ireland.

Having studied History Politics at Durham, Robert is passionate about joining Council, having previously been Chair of the Durham Inspired Campaign Board from 2017-2022. Robert is also a qualified ski instructor and keen triathlete, cyclist, and tennis player.

Jairaj (JJ) Thakkar, Lay member

JJ joined Council as a lay member in August 2023.

JJ is Global Human Resources Director for TE Connectivity, where he is responsible for developing and delivering HR solutions to the Group's workforce. He held various international senior leadership positions at GE, Rolls-Royce plc, Equinor, Merrill Lynch/Bank of America and Aon based in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

He has a deep understanding and experience in all aspects of human capital management and strategic consulting. JJ specializes in working with leadership teams on driving business results through the intersection of strategy, talent, and culture. With a distinct focus on leading large-scale complex change, JJ's areas of expertise include developing top talent, succession planning for critical roles, and helping organisations thrive in dynamic conditions.

Having graduated with a degree in International Affairs from Drake University and a Masters in Management at Boston University, JJ is passionate about the importance of higher education and workforce development. He is an experienced board member and currently serves as a Trustee for Reach South Academy Trust. 

JJ is a Fellow of The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).

Terry Toney, Lay Member and Senior Independent Governor

Terry joined Council as a lay member in November 2018.

He previously worked for the British Council and held posts on the Executive Board, led operations in Europe and the Far East and headed country operations in Japan and South Korea. 

Terry has extensive experience of international education including teaching in Germany, Sweden and Japan. He has worked with UK public sector bodies and government departments and with the European Commission in Brussels.

Terry has a degree in German and Philosophy from King's College, London, a Postgraduate Certificate of Education from the Institute of Education in London and a Masters in Applied Linguistics from Lancaster University. 

He previously carried out research into communication strategies and language learning.

Professor Karen O'Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden. Ex officio member of Council

Karen joined Durham University in January 2022 after leading the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford, where she was jointly responsible for the financial oversight, research strategy, and equalities and access priorities of the University.

As Vice-Chancellor, Karen is the principal academic, administrative and accountable officer of the University. She is accountable to Council for the overall strategic direction and performance of the University and, as warden, has overall responsibility for Durham's colleges.

Karen has a strong track record of promoting equity in staffing and social inclusion for students, in developing overseas partnerships and fundraising. She has held a number of national and international leadership roles and has published widely on the literature and intellectual history of the Enlightenment.

Professor Mike Shipman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost. Ex officio member of Council

Mike joined Durham in August 2023 from the University of Warwick where he held senior leadership positions including as Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), Chair of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine, and Head of Chemistry.

As the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Mike is responsible for supporting the Vice-Chancellor in delivering the University’s Academic Strategy, working to recruit, sustain and develop an academic staff body and environment that is exemplary in all aspects and integrating equality, diversity and inclusion into strategic planning.

Mike is a chemical scientist who has taught and undertaken research in organic chemistry for over 25 years and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and Chartered Chemist (FRSC, CChem).

Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham, Ex officio member of Council

The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming joined Council in September 2023, on his appointment as Dean of Durham.

Philip is a Durham graduate, having studied Theology while training for ministry at Cranmer Hall, St John's College. He also studied at Cambridge (German and Russian) and Edinburgh (PhD in Theology). After sixteen years in parish ministry in Hampshire and Surrey, Philip returned to Durham in 2017 to become Warden of Cranmer Hall, St John's College, where he also taught New Testament and Leadership and hosted the popular podcast Taking Theology. In September 2023, Philip became Dean of Durham, leading and overseeing the life and mission of Durham Cathedral. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Theology and Religion and continues to teach and supervise doctoral candidates.

Dan Lonsdale, President of Durham Students’ Union, Ex officio member of Council

Dan joined Council in August 2023.

He is President of the Durham Students' Union.

Dan is from Durham and came to study Sociology at the University. During his time at Durham University, Dan has been passionate about addressing the cost-of-living crisis, particularly where it relates to student accommodation. Dan is a member of Trevelyan College and has been the Educational Outreach Officer for the 93% Club Durham and was elected President of the Durham Working Class Students Association.

Rebecca Askew, Appointed Member of University Staff

Rebecca joined Council as a staff member in February 2020.

She is Director of the University Procurement Service.

Rebecca is a qualified coach and is part of an internal framework of coaches used to coach and mentor staff across the University assisting individuals to reach their full potential. She also engages with the student body as a mentor to students at St Mary’s College where she is also a member of the Senior Common Room. 

Rebecca is currently reading for a Masters in Strategic Leadership. Her current research topic is focusing on how Emotional Intelligence (EI) and behaviours effect leadership styles and whether there is any correlation between high levels of EI in leaders and team productivity.

Professor Andrew Baldwin, Appointed Member of University Staff

Andrew joined Council as a staff member in August 2024.

Andrew is a Professor in the University’s Department of Geography where he has worked since 2009. He previously held roles at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and the University of Manchester. He obtained a BA from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, MES from York University, Toronto and a PhD from Carleton University.

Andrew is a qualitative human geographer with expertise in the way ideas of difference and nature shape discourses and practices relating to climate change, human mobility and space.

Nic Johnston, Appointed member of University Staff

Nic joined Council as a staff member in August 2024.

Nic is the University's Deputy HR Director and Employment Lawyer and is responsible for employee relations, occupational health, recruitment, HR policies and projects and is the staff lead on equality and inclusion.

She has an LLB(Hons) from Newcastle University, an LLM International and European Law from Durham University and did her Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in York.

Prior to joining Durham in 2014, Nic worked in private practice as a solicitor specialising in employment law for 12 years working with a range of clients from businesses, the NHS, charities and universities.

Professor Cheryl McEwan, Appointed Member of University Staff

Cheryl was appointed as staff member of Council in August 2024.

Cheryl is a Professor in the University's Department of Geography, where she has worked since 2003. She is a Trustee of the Ruth First Educational Trust, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academic and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Her research is focused on the intersections between cultural, political and development geographies. Her work explores the productive tensions between postcolonial and other radical approaches within geography, grounded in empirical research in South Africa and the UK and she has a longstanding interest in tackling injustice 

Professor Amir Michael, Appointed Member of University Staff

Amir joined Council as a staff member in November 2018.

Amir is a Professor of Accounting (Teaching) and Head of Accounting Department at Durham University Business School.

Amir holds a PhD from Durham University, an MBA from the Arab Academy for Science & Technology, Egypt and a B.Com in Accounting & Finance from Alexandria University, Egypt.

His research and teaching interests are around the areas of audit data analytics, accounting education and accounting information systems and reporting. 

Professor Ari Sadanandom, Appointed Member of Staff

Ari was appointed as staff member of Council in August 2021.

He is a Professor in the Department of Biosciences and director of the Durham Centre for Crop Improvement Technology, a multi-disciplinary research centre that works with Agritech industry to develop technology that is effective in field conditions.

As the academic chair of the N8 AgriFood programme in Durham, he oversees research projects into resilience and sustainability of food production. Ari is a member on several UKRI and international grant awarding panels. Ari is also a co-founding member of Plant Proteostasis community and the UK rice research network.

Ari has pioneered the area of protein SUMO modification in plants. The current focus of his research group is to understand how protein modifications influence plant responses to invading pathogens.

Professor Corinne Saunders, Appointed Member of University Staff

Corinne joined Council as a staff member in August 2019.

She is Professor of Medieval Literature in the Department of English Studies and Co-Director of Durham’s Institute for Medical Humanities. She was formerly Director of Durham’s Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies and has held many leadership roles within the English Department.

Corinne obtained a BA and MA from the University of Toronto and D.Phil. from Oxford University.

Corinne specialises in later medieval literature and history of ideas and has particular interests in the connections between mind, body and emotions. Her work in the medical humanities and in medieval studies have given her many connections outside the academic community, including with health, arts and heritage organisations.

Anthony Jones, Postgraduate nominated by the Students' Union

Anthony was selected by the Durham Students' Union to be their postgraduate student member on Council from August 2024.

After completing a degree in Geography at Durham, Anthony was awarded an MSc (Distinction) at Oxford University in their Water Science, Policy and Management Programme.

Anthony is a member of Ustinov College and is currently undertaking a PhD in Natural Flood Management in the Department of Earth Sciences.

Dr Amanda Wilcox, University Secretary, Officer of the Council

Amanda is an attendee at Council in her role as University Secretary.

Amanda provides advice to Council members to support their role as trustees of the University. 

Amanda joind Durham from York St John University in October 2022 where she was Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Governance and Student Life). She has also held senior roles at the Office for Students, the Higher Education Funding Council, the University of Hull and the Quality Assurance Agency. 

She has extensive experience in higher education and is an authoritative and authentic leader. She has successfully led professional service operations and change programmes, both at an institutional and service level.

Neil Scott, Chief Financial Officer, Officer of the Council

Neil Scott is an attendee at Council in his role as Chief Financial Officer. 

Neil took up the position at Durham in January 2024 and was previously the Chief Operating Officer at the University of Salford. He brings over 30-years' multi-sector experience across retail and leisure, the motor industry and higher education. He has also worked at Aston, Hull and Staffordshire universities.

As Interim Chief Financial Officer, Neil has responsibility for the financial strategy of the University. He provides direction and oversight, and drives financial and operating performance to ensure the financial sustainability of the University.

The Council Register of Interests is maintained by the University Secretary.