Board members

Bishop Marcus Stock

Ex-Officio Chair of the Board

Bishop Marcus was ordained to the priesthood in 1988. He served in parishes within the Archdiocese of Birmingham from 1988 to 2009 and was the diocesan Director of Schools from 1999-2009. He was then appointed General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. From 2011-13, he was also Acting Director of the Catholic Education Service. Following his appointment by Pope Francis, he was ordained as the tenth Bishop of Leeds on Thursday, 13th November 2014.

Within the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, he was Vice Chair of the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission from 2015-21 and is currently the Chair of the Catholic Education Service and Chair of the Department for Education and Formation.

The experience of working with the leadership and governance in Catholic primary and secondary education brings a holistic vision of the importance of life-long learning to the important role of higher education in today's world.

The formation of men and women for positions of leadership in the Church, in society and in public service. As a Catholic University, Leeds Trinity provides a hospitable place for integrating faith and reason at the institutional and personal levels.

Other positions held

• Leeds Diocesan Trust - Chair of the Board of Directors
• Catholic Care - Chair of the Board of Trustees
• St John's School for the Deaf - Chair of the Board of Trustees
• St Cuthbert's College Ushaw - Trustee
• St Bede's Catholic School Bradford Trust - Non-Executive Director

Charles Egbu (VC)

Ex Officio Governor,

Vice-Chancellor

Member of Finance and Resources Committee, Governance and Nominations Committee and Academic Assurance & Student Experience Committee

Charles joined Leeds Trinity University as Vice-Chancellor on 1 November 2020. His role is to lead the University on all strategic matters; ensuring financial sustainability to allow the delivery of the University's Strategic Plan, including the overall vision and values of the University. 

Charles has significant experience of working in the higher education sector, championing the quality of learner experience, improving student outcomes, widening participation, equity and inclusion in higher education, and industry-academia collaboration. He represents the University externally at various groups including Universities UK (UUK), Million Plus, Yorkshire Universities, Leeds Learning Alliance, and the Cathedral's Group.   

Charles also works closely with industry and professional bodies, especially in the Built Environment sector, and with local communities.

Charles research interests focus on project management, construction management and sustainable development; subjects about which he has written 12 books and contributed to more than 350 publications in various international journals and conferences. In addition to this Charles has supervised over 25 PhD students and examined over 100 PhD candidates world-wide. Also acts as an external examiner on taught and research programmes in several universities all over the world.

Interests

• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (FCIOB)
• Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS)
• Fellow of the Association for Project Management (FAPM)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Fellowship of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA)
• Sits on Editorial Boards, and National and International Scientific Committees to do with research in Sustainable Development, Architecture, Engineering and Construction.

Past appointments

• Past President of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
• Past Chair of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management)
• Former Member of the Peer Review College of both the UK Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC) and the Peer Review College of the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
• Former Governor and Member of the London Design & Engineering UTC Board of Directors
• Was admitted to the Worshipful Company of Constructors in May 2017 and received the Freedom of the City of London in 2017.
• Former Director and member of the Board of Trustees for the Association for Project Management (APM), and Chairman of the Professional Standards and Knowledge (PS&K) committee of the Association for Project Management.

Jamie Hanley

Chair of the board

Jamie is a Management Board level partner at one of the UK’s oldest law firms.  His professional career has been dedicated to widening access to our legal system and to helping those most in need find solutions to the challenges they face – during the past 25 years he has helped thousands of people find justice. He leads on strategy and business development, as well as managing all key client relationships.

Jamie is passionate about education.  He served as a member of the former Government’s Education & Skills Policy Commission, as well as their Joint Policy Committee, working for a number of years as part of a small team including the Prime Minister, senior Ministers and key stakeholders, to oversee policy development.  He has experience of developing and delivering integrated media and political influencing strategies, and has advised Ministers and Parliamentarians across a number of campaigns.  He has worked alongside two UK Prime Ministers and a former President of the United States, including on political campaigns in the UK, USA, Middle East, Eastern Europe and Caribbean.

Jamie’s commercial interests include as founder and Director of a company that offers consumer and financial discounts and comparison services. Working alongside leading consumer experts, including one of the former ‘dragons’ from BBC’s Dragons Den, the company uses cutting edge technology to deliver a unique benefit to their customers.

Jamie played squash at a competitive level but this is now frustrated by a love of good food and fine wine. He is a (long suffering) Leeds United season ticket holder.

Kevin O'Connor

Vice Chair to the Board of Governors and Chair of Finance and Resources Committee

Kevin O’Connor is the Executive Chairman at RSM UK. He took up this role in April 2020, when he was appointed to the RSM UK Board. He was previously the Regional Managing Partner for Yorkshire and the North-East.

Kevin joined RSM in 1999 as a tax partner at the Leeds office and became the office’s managing partner in 2002. He then added responsibility for its operations in the rest of Yorkshire and the North-East to his remit, as well as becoming the firm’s National Head of Tax.

Kevin has significant experience in managing and building significant businesses within RSM as well as advising clients including three HE institutions during his 40 year professional career. His role as Chair of RSM has given him considerable experience in board and governance matters in large organisations.

He was also a trustee of the Leeds Community Foundation for nine years, including four as Chair, giving him detailed insight into running a not-for-profit organisation. The Governor’s role will allow Kevin to use his commercial experience to benefit the University as it moves towards its 2026 vision. Kevin is a practicing catholic and the principles of the and ethos of the University resonate very strongly with him.

Kevin is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. Away from work, he enjoys spending time with his four children and three grandchildren, and is a keen golfer.

Amy Wilson

Independent Governor

Member Governance & Nominations Committee

Amy Wilson is a Leeds Trinity graduate and works as a freelance Marketing consultant specialising in creative Marketing Consultancy. More recently she is developing her hobby of Interior Design into a business. Amy merges the worlds of design & marketing to help her clients find a truly creative way to tell their brand story. She has over 20 years’ experience working with a range of businesses from the retail and leisure industries focusing on marketing strategy and incorporating social media and brand development into her portfolio.

Amy currently splits her time working on a residential interior project and working as Creative Director for a leading interiors brand. As a long-term freelancer, working with other small businesses, Amy is a passionate advocate of the squiggly career model and enjoys talking to young people about remaining flexible, embracing change and keeping their options open.

Amy is also a mother to three children aged 18, 15 and 11, so spends her spare time as 'taxi driver', football cheerleader & chief cook!

Amy enjoys contributing to the work of Leeds Trinity University beyond her time on the Board of Governors by offering feedback and consultation with the Marketing team. Amy also has an interest in wellbeing-led design so is looking forward to having input into the development of the campus as it grows and adapts for the next generation of students.

Bill McCarthy

Independent Governor

Bill retired at the end of July 2021 as Regional Director for NHS England/Improvement in North West England.  Previous roles included: Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Hon Professor of Health Policy at the University of Bradford; National Policy Director at NHS England; Director General at the Department of Health; Chief Executive of NHS Yorkshire and the Humber; Chief Executive at City of York Council.

Bill's previous non-executive experience includes being a Member of Council at the University of York; Chair of the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; and from 1 January 2023 is Chair of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Bill and his wife, Rose, have lived in Horsforth for the last 30 years where they have brought up 5 children and are active members of Our Lady of Kirkstall Parish.

Ceri Nursaw

Independent Governor

Member of Academic Assurance and Student Experience Committee

Ceri has worked in the higher education sector for over 25 years. Currently Chief Executive of the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education, which supports leadership development and the growth of enterprise and entrepreneurial capacity in further and higher education. Since her appointment she has extended NCEE's global reputation, establishing a branch in China, and growing the number of leadership programmes available (including a ground-breaking leadership programme for heads of schools and services).

Alongside NCEE Ceri runs Nursaw Associates which advises and seeks to improve social mobility in higher education. Clients include the Office for Students, Sutton Trust, Medical Schools Council and a range of universities and charities. Currently she is reviewing outreach in the health service with Health Education England, alongside managing the Medical Schools Council's national outreach programme.

Through her work in national educational policy development alongside working with Vice-Chancellors and senior leaders across the UK (and overseas), Ceri has an understanding of the context in which Leeds Trinity is operating, and is able to translate it so that the University can positively position itself.  She is skilled in bringing together policy and practice, particularly in and around access, progression, employability and enterprise.

Ceri has worked with Leeds Trinity University throughout her career and has always respected the strong commitment to its students and the warm and caring environment it creates.  She wants to ensure that the University continues to build on its strengths as we look to the future - with a new strategy and an ever-changing external context.  

Ceri is also a recently qualified Executive Coach.

Interests

• Trustee of the Holocaust Survivors Friendship Association
• Parent Governor of Bryn Coch Primary School

David Oldroyd

Independent Governor

A member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, David brings his skills in development and construction, risk management, and cost management to his role as a governor.

David is the Interim Director of Development at the University of Leeds. He oversees all development work, managing a large in-house design team plus external frameworks of consultants and contractors. He has worked at the University of Leeds for over 20 years within their Capital Development team. David previously worked in the private sector as a chartered surveyor and as a consultant.

His recent projects at the University of Leeds include the completion of the £102m Sir William Henry Bragg Building which was the integration of two Faculties to provide modern teaching and world-class research facilities. He manages a large team working on carbon reduction and the university aims to be net-zero by 2030.

David is passionate about improving higher education for students and making a difference. He lives in Cookridge, married to Jane with four children (Alex, Mollie, Abigail and Jack). He's a keen walker and enjoys the outdoors with his family and two dogs.

Denis Kobzev

Academic Staff Governor

Member of Audit Committee

Professor Denis Kobzev combines academic and senior management experience in research and management development gained both in Higher Education (20 years) and industry (7 years). His qualifications include both academic (MD, PhD, MBA) degrees and professional (Project Management / PRINCE2) certificates.

His main professional interest was to develop the link between industry, public sector and therefore, he gained experience and relevant skills at research-led universities, as well as at institutions renowned for teaching excellence, student support and industry links. His academic leadership and management qualities were proven in UK universities (Warwick, Leeds and Leeds Trinity), as well as through international experience in Switzerland and New Zealand.

In these universities, he was involved in strategic planning, people, budgets and resources management, committees' work, research and knowledge exchange projects, as well as the development and delivery of Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Executive, Corporate and Work-Based Learning programmes. He is experienced in managing academic and administrative teams and securing high levels of student satisfaction.

Emily Reed

Senior Independent Governor

Chair of Governance and Nominations Committee

Emily is a barrister specialising in all aspects of family law and the Court of Protection. As a barrister, she has developed the ability to analyse and assimilate vast amounts of information quickly and act as an impassioned advocate, putting forward the case for her client whether they be a CCG, local authority, parent or child. She converted to law after gaining a first class degree in English at the University of Cambridge. 

Her background in law enables her to assist the Board with respect to any legal issues that from time to time arise. In her career and past work in pupillage recruitment, Emily has undertaken equality and diversity training, which provides her with a depth of knowledge when issues with respect to diversity surface.

Emily is a practicing Catholic and is invested in the Catholic ethos and foundation of LTU. LTU's approach to ensuring that each student is supported and treated as an individual, a name not a number, also motivates her to contribute in whatever way she is able to the progress of the University and its students. 

She is the Pro Bono Champion at her Chambers, Park Square Barristers.

Emily has two young children aged 3 and 1. She is a keen allotmenteer and foodie, a good eater rather than cook! She also enjoys getting into the fresh air as much as possible.

Lawrence Bentley

Independent Governor

Member of Academic Assurance & Student Experience Committee & Lead Safeguarding and Apprenticeship Governor

Lawrence has taught in five diocesan secondary schools in his 36-year teaching career and is currently in his 16^th year as headteacher spanning two schools.

He understands the power that strong leadership has in shaping the culture and ethos of an educational setting and the positive influence that can have on the formation of young people.

Lawrence is a former student of Trinity and All Saints College, prior to it receiving University status, and graduated with a Bed (Hons) in Theology. He got involved in an extensive range of extracurricular opportunities that were available and experienced first-hand the value of education beyond the lecture hall. He is keen on all young people receiving the same rounded education.

Born in Middlesbrough he is an avid Boro fan and enjoys watching most sports now that his playing days are over.

He lives locally with his wife and three daughters, enjoying country walks, listening to music, eating out and visiting European cities.

Martin Holden

Independent Governor

Chair of Audit Committee

Martin is a Certified Accountant with over 35 years’ experience, and a partner at Saffery Champness in Harrogate. 

He specialises in advising complex ownership business and AIM Companies. The nature of advice given ranges from strategic commercial advice to structural and financial planning, in addition to providing audit assurance.

Martin is passionate about education and the benefits it can bring to all. He believes if all parties contribute then this can life changing and enhancing and great fun at the same time.

He is a trustee of a local charity and works with a number of Boards of Companies.

Martin lives in the Yorkshire Dales with wife Angela and two dogs Basil and Billy.  He is an enthusiastic, but inadequate golfer. HE is also a keen runner, who has completed four of the six Abbot World Marathon Majors as well as a number of others in the UK.

Fr Paul Grogan

Independent Governor

Father Paul is the Episcopal Vicar for Education of the Diocese of Leeds.

A life-long learner, himself, particularly in the field of modern languages and as a speaker of French, German and Italian, Fr Paul attributes his own love of continuing intellectual engagement to his university studies, in Cambridge, Rome and more recently at Leeds Beckett University. He loves the fact that universities like Leeds Trinity provide spaces for enquiry and reflection, affording students the opportunity both to collaborate and to compete with one another in the shared task of articulating that which is true. As a parish priest in a poor area of Bradford and one who has spent many years in youth ministry, he is mindful of the transformative effect of higher education on the life chances of young people from deprived backgrounds.

Through his work as a governor, Fr Paul wishes to foster the common good of society, especially that part of it which is located in West Yorkshire. Possessed of a wide vision of the value of Catholic education, he wishes so to influence the university so that it affords as many local people as possible the opportunity for academic advancement, that most liberating of threshold experiences. He is convinced that the more assiduous the university is in ministering to students' key "outer" desires - intellectual achievement, authentic companionship and the securing of lucrative and meaningful employment - the more successful it will be in signposting students, respectfully, intentionally and non-judgmentally, towards discovering and acting upon their yet more important "inner" desires: communion with God; virtuous living; and friendship based on self-sacrificial love.

He is a member of the Old Brotherhood of the English Secular Clergy, a group which was set up in the sixteenth century to help oversee the Catholic Church in this country during the Reformation and which continues to have an honorific function to this day.

Fr Paul is Parish Priest of the Parish of Mary, Mother of God, Bradford and a Governor of St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College, Bradford. He has a degree in English Literature from the University of Cambridge, a Licence in Moral Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and a degree in French from Leeds Beckett University. He teaches ecclesiology, sacramentology and moral theology for the Catholic Certificate of Religious Studies, gives occasional lectures and spiritual conferences, co-edited The New Evangelisation (T&T Clark, 2015), following a conference at Leeds Trinity he co-organised, and he has written a couple of pamphlets for the Catholic Truth Society.

Roland Maposa

Independent Governor 

Member of Finance & Resources Committee

Roland is a PhD Candidate at Leeds University Business School, researching International Business Policy, Inclusive Economic Growth and Sustainable Development. He serves as an independent Governor on the Board of Leeds Trinity University and as a Finance and Resources Committee member.

Roland’s previous board experience includes being a Trustee on the board of Leeds University Union and co-founding InLeeds, an initiative that works toward retaining student talent from the Universities in the City of Leeds for the Leeds City Region. He brings experience in the Charity sector and an international student experience and perspective. He is inspired by Leeds Trinity University’s values of dignity and care, particularly respect and inclusivity. In his role on the board, Roland approaches his duty and responsibilities inclusively and professionally. This is guided by a people-centred and purpose-led solution focus.

With a keen interest in social inclusion through education, Roland strongly desires to empower individuals and communities, informed by his aspiration to serve and give both forward and back. He also volunteers as a learning champion with the Lifelong Learning Centre, University of Leeds. This role empowers non-traditional students considering a return to Higher Education. He also volunteers as a job coach and mentor for young people through SPEAR Leeds. He currently also serves as a member of the Finance Subcommittee at Leeds University Union.

He aspires to contribute positively to Leeds Trinity University's values of social justice and enhancing opportunity and to the University’s ambition to be an enterprising anchor institution in Leeds. Roland lives in Leeds with his wife Helen and his three sons. A keen sports watcher, follower, and Pilates enthusiast. He enjoys culinary exploration and travel.

Stuart McLeod

Stuart, in his role as a Senior Energy and Sustainability Manager at Balfour Beatty, assumes responsibility for overseeing efforts to minimize energy consumption and develop net zero strategies across all operations in the UK, encompassing construction sites and the permanent property portfolio. Engaging with some of the nation's most significant infrastructure projects, he spearheads initiatives aimed at enhancing sustainability outcomes for governmental bodies, private enterprises, and broader societal interests.

A pivotal aspect of Stuart's role involves offering guidance on energy and sustainability policies to empower colleagues throughout the organization to effect positive change at project levels. Additionally, he provides oversight on sustainability proposals originating from Balfour Beatty's supply chain to ensure alignment with the company's sustainability goals and overarching values.

Having achieved Chartered status from the Energy Institute and serving as an ESOS Lead Assessor, Stuart brings a wealth of experience from diverse professional environments, spanning both large and small organizations across the public and private sectors. With a background that includes military service, retail, and construction, he possesses a versatile skill set that can be harnessed to benefit the University and its stakeholders. While his current focus lies primarily on energy and sustainability, his professional journey has involved close collaboration with estate management teams, encompassing areas such as biodiversity, waste management, and community engagement strategy.

Committed to promoting inclusive education opportunities, regardless of background or educational path, Stuart pursued higher education as a mature student at Lancaster University following his service in the RAF and completion of courses with the Open University. His academic journey continued with a part-time MA program at Durham University while participating in a graduate scheme with Morrisons supermarkets. Subsequently, he conducted independent research in energy economics and pursued further training in energy management through the Energy Institute. He views a position on the board of governors as an opportunity to contribute to shaping Net Zero strategies within an institution dedicated to providing diverse educational pathways, particularly given the University's emphasis on both traditional academic and vocational courses.

In line with his commitment to widening access to education, Stuart established a bursary scheme at Lancaster University in 2016, which presently awards up to three separate £1,000 bursaries annually to mature students, particularly those facing financial barriers to returning to education.

Active participation extends beyond professional realms, as evidenced by his membership in the Climate Action Group for the Diocese of Leeds, a sub-committee of the Justice & Peace Commission chaired by Sir John Battle. Additionally, he contributes to the Energy Institute's Professional Development Committee.

Residing in Farsley with his wife and six-month-old son, Stuart is an active member of Pudsey parish and enjoys pursuits such as walking, running, swimming, and cycling.

Susan Hogston

Susan Hogston, Independent Governor

Member of Academic Assurance & Student Experience Committee

Susan is Head of Nursing and Quality for Marie Curie, overseeing the Yorkshire region. With over 36 years of experience in nursing, Susan has held diverse roles in both community and acute settings, including practice educator, operational manager, and clinical governance lead.

Transitioning from the National Health Service (NHS) to the third sector in 2011, Susan served as a national executive director for a prominent palliative care charity until 2018. During her tenure, she led a national education program focusing on Human Rights at the end of life. In 2018, she established her healthcare consultancy business, offering professional mentorship and coaching services.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Susan was the Director of Care for a charitable organisation, overseeing care homes, supportive living, and services for individuals with learning disabilities. She then returned to palliative care, driven by her passion for service development and nurturing the nursing and care workforce.

Susan brings a wealth of knowledge and skills in healthcare delivery, nursing development, and charity sector leadership, having served as a director in three separate charities since 2011.

Following her nursing and specialist nursing qualifications, Susan completed a politics degree, handing her dissertation in on a Friday and then giving birth to her second child on the Monday. Committed to lifelong learning, she has achieved additional qualifications in patient safety, risk management, mentorship, and coaching. 

As a dedicated volunteer throughout her adult life, Susan has held various roles ranging from Brown Owl to school governor, demonstrating her commitment to community engagement and appreciative inquiry. Beyond her professional endeavours, Susan enjoys walking her two spaniels and cherishes time spent with her granddaughters. Her Catholic faith holds significance, particularly in her involvement with the nursing team during the Leeds diocese pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Tara Smith

Independent Governor

Tara is an experienced finance leader who brings support, challenge and advice for the executive as the University delivers on its ambitious strategy.

Tara has been a Chartered Accountant for over 25 years and started her career with PwC, working in Ireland, Canada and the UK for more than 10 years focusing on food manufacturing and financial services clients. She then worked for five years in the financial services sector.

Tara joined the civil service in 2006, holding numerous senior finance roles across the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health, where she has led across financial control and financial strategy and planning. Since June 2022, she has been the Director of People and Resources at the Food Standards Agency, where she is responsible for HR, Finance, Estates, Commercial and Planning. Tara is an active leader across the Government Finance Function and a member of the People Committee.

Tara is passionate about the value of supporting young people into brilliant fulfilling roles and careers. she started her career as an apprentice, combining college, study and work experience to become a qualified chartered accountant. She believes the challenges facing young people in the current climate are many and can see a fantastic opportunity for combining education with work placements and experiences.

Tara lives in Guiseley with her husband Dan and two teenage sons Conor and Aaron. She is a recent convert to the gym and also enjoys walking and attending live music.

Thelma FForde-Escobar

Independent Governor

Member of Audit Committee 

Thelma is a Head of School and an experienced academic manager with a multifaceted career in higher education, business consultancy and quality assurance. For over two decades she has strategically led creative learning, teaching and assessment initiatives and major curriculum improvements, on large-scale programs of delivery, directly targeted at the needs of students and academic staff.

As a specialist in the management discipline, she is a senior lecturer and regular speaker on leadership topics, including transformational leadership, diversity & inclusion, and employability.

Thelma served six years as Board Member at the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) as HE Partners Lead and as Women, Diversity and Inclusion Lead. She is an FHEA Mentor and Assessor, resulting from her Senior Fellow of Higher Education Award in 2021. She brings a broad range of knowledge in higher education policies and procedures, and academic quality, to the board.

Holding Roman Catholic values and faith, she is a firm believer that young people are at the heart of kindness and generosity of faith through their own shared interest in global development and change.  She believes Leeds Trinity is a unique higher education institution with a deeply caring community at the heart of matters with regard to its student and staff experiences and wellbeing. 

Interests

• Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy
• Chartered Fellow Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
• Member of British Academy of Management 

Vijay Sharma

Independent Governor

Vijay brings solid finance skills from the depth of his professional background as a Chartered Management Accountant. He also brings wide experience as a senior finance leader from one of the largest UK Government Departments which has been at the forefront of serving citizens. Additionally, Vijay has an excellent understanding of the demands faced by people in the Education sector from his time as a primary school Chair of Governors.

A Chartered Management Accountant by profession, Vijay trained in the private life insurance, pensions and consumer finance sectors before joining the Civil Service in 2003. Recently, he has been in the Finance Director role overseeing the Annual Report and Accounts as well shaping the direction of development of financial reporting and performance data systems. Beyond Finance, Vijay has participated in a senior leadership talent scheme over the last two years enabling him to find out about how a wide range of other organisations respond to strategic opportunities and leadership challenges facing their organisations.

Earlier in his career, Vijay was a Non-Executive Board member of a Leeds social housing company where he supported a diverse Board through key financial decisions to improve housing quality for tenants.

Vijay's experience as a past student from Loughborough University, particularly living away from home to study gave him a natural empathy with students at Leeds Trinity University as well as a passion for education. He has always lived in the local area around Leeds Trinity University and is delighted to use his skills to help students, the staff and stakeholders. Vijay has a past record of volunteering as both a chair of school governors and a housing board member. In both capacities, he developed strong listening abilities to supportively work with parents, teachers and pupils to grow a good school as a governor.

In housing, Vijay helped tenants, staff of the company and external suppliers to maximise wellbeing and housing outcomes. Coming from a diverse background, Vijay has roots from a Catholic background though his late mother and his wife were convent-educated in India.

Vijay is an active member of the Government Finance Function, a body which brings together financial professionals across Government Departments and agencies.

Vijay lives close to Leeds Trinity University in Cookridge, with his wife Madhu and his son Raj. He enjoys an active sports lifestyle, including walking, cycling and swimming.

Andy Sumner

Co-opted Committee Member

Andy has over 18 years’ operational and strategic HR experience, the last 10 specialising in executive reward/share plans for global FTSE 100 companies, a local building society and as a volunteer. Currently an Executive Reward Manager for Tesco PLC and a Chartered Member of the CIPD, he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management from Leeds Beckett University and a BA (Hons) in History from York St. John University.

Andy is passionate about all things reward, especially the governance behind design/ implementation decisions and underpinning motivational theories. He was drawn to Leeds Trinity due to its emphasis on student outcomes that extend much wider than education. He also wanted to give something back to a sector that has provided the academic foundation for his career.

Outside of work, Andy has a passion for travel (a sun seeker during the Summer and a snowboarder during the Winter), reading, and getting as much use as possible out of his Sky Sports subscription!

James Thompson

Co-opted Committee Member

Member of Audit Committee

James is a Director at KPMG, working in the Governance, Risk and Compliance Services team, as part of KPMG's Consulting practice. He specialises in supporting businesses with internal audit, risk management, and corporate governance.

James has many years of experience working with Boards and Audit Committees for businesses across the UK in a range of sectors, including technology, construction, energy, retail, manufacturing, and housing. His experience extends to working with large global businesses and FTSE listed companies, as well as private businesses and public sector organisations.

Having grown up in Leeds and now working in the city, James is passionate about supporting the Leeds City Region. He is a strong advocate for Higher Education and all that Universities have to offer, helping graduates to prepare for a rapidly changing world.

When James isn't working, he has a busy family life, spending time with his wife, Charlotte, and their three young sons. James also sits on the Committee at Ilkley Town Association Football Club as the club's Governance Officer and Club Secretary.

Richard Atkinson

Co-opted Committee Member

Member of Remuneration Committee

Richard is the Technology Director of Nando's, where he has been credited with being one of the UK's top 50 influencers in the digitisation of customer experiences. He previously evolved JustGiving from a charity news content concept into what became the world's largest fundraising platform for good causes.

He brings his deep technological knowledge and digital transformation experience to Leeds Trinity University's vision and plans for the future of Higher Education.

In his work at Nando's and voluntary work, Richard is passionate about helping people to develop skills and create opportunities in their lives.  The chance to work with a values-based educational establishment in his local community of West Yorkshire was simply irresistible.

When he's not nerding out on new technology, Richard enjoys time with his family and has two teenage children who he realises will leave him in their wake some day soon on their regular cycle rides.

Interests:

• Chartered IT Professional
• Member of the British Computing Society