meet The board

Royal Northern College of Music Representative

Director of Programmes

Jenny is responsible for learning and teaching across all junior, undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes of study, access and participation, the School of Popular Music and the Student Health and Wellbeing Hub. An internationally renowned expert in music pedagogy, Jennie has taught music in various contexts for over 26 years. Her experience spans instrumental teaching, ensemble direction, class teaching, and she continues to teach music education at the RNCM, from supervising postgraduate research, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses through to supporting Junior RNCM as a flute and wind coach. She has worked in teacher education and professional development since 2008, working with a wide range of class and instrumental teachers.

Covering diverse contexts spanning music education and community music, Jennie’s research is concerned with the relationship between pedagogy and inclusion, recently leading the AHRC funded research network MUSOC, exploring the concepts of excellence and inclusion in music programmes with a social agenda. She undertakes consultancy work, often involving national curriculum design and development for international governments.

University of Salford Representative

Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic Development

Jo joined the University of Salford in April 2017, initially looking after the international profile of the University through recruitment, transnational education and global opportunities for our students and developing collaborative UK partnerships with FE colleges and employers, particularly in the delivery of apprenticeships. She is the University Leadership Team lead on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. In August 2020 Jo became Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic Development and became Chair of the Academic Development and Number Planning Committee which approves the development and evolution of the University’s academic portfolio. She led the successful bid for the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology with Further Education and employer partners. The GMIoT has been formed to address the regional skills gap and provide additional educational and economic opportunities for under-represented communities in Salford and Greater Manchester, including re-skilling and up-skilling in new and sustainable technologies.

Prior to arriving at Salford, Jo was Vice-President Global Engagement at the University of Sheffield, having held international roles at Northumbria and Durham universities previously, but her professional career started in television, working in the newsroom of the Middle East Broadcasting Company (MBC). Jo has been Chair of the Universities UK Middle East and North Africa Steering Group, Chair of Trustees of the education charity Northern Consortium, and is a reviewer for UUK/UKRI international researcher mobility grants.

University of Manchester Representative

Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation

John is the Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation, and sits on the University Executive with responsibility for leading the civic engagement and innovation agendas.

Since joining the University in 2020, John has played leading roles in major initiatives including the establishment of the UK’s Productivity Institute at the Alliance Manchester Business School, the creation of the Sister innovation district, the relocation of the UK Biobank to the Oxford Road Corridor, and the creation of the Turing Innovation Catalyst. He also co-led the University’s Regional Innovation Review and played a pivotal role in the creation of Unit M, the University of Manchester’s new innovation arm.

Before joining the University of Manchester, John spent 15 years in senior strategy and policy roles in Greater Manchester. He was instrumental in shaping the city region’s Mayoral Combined Authority, including the landmark 2014 ‘Devo Manc’ devolution deal and subsequent agreements that transferred significant powers and funding from the UK government to the city region. As head of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Strategy and Research team, he worked with Mayor Andy Burnham, Sir Richard Leese, the late Sir Howard Bernstein and other regional leaders to set and deliver economic growth and public service reform policy.

John is also a Board member of the Rochdale Development Agency, a North West Council Member of the Confederation of British Industry, a member of the Oxford Road Corridor Executive, and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA).

Manchester Metropolitan University Representative

Director of Business Engagement and Partnerships

Alex provides leadership for Manchester Metropolitan University’s Business Engagement and Partnerships, working with external organisations and employers across private and public sectors to deliver impactful activities that support the University’s education and research priorities, as well as helping the University. He is a Chartered Accountant and has previously held senior roles at Deloitte, Manchester City FC and Manchester International Festival. His contribution to the Civic University Board builds on his experience of strategic collaboration and partnerships in the city-region.

University of Greater Manchester Representative

Assistant Vice Chancellor (Knowledge Exchange)

Dr. Coleman began his working life as a civil engineer, moving latterly into logistics and supply chain management. He worked for a number of years at the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), a ‘close to business’, education, research, and knowledge exchange centre at the University of Warwick.

Julian commenced work at the University of Bolton (now University of Greater Manchester) in 1995 as a Senior Lecturer. His expertise in supply chain, and passion for collaboration led him to develop a number of international partnerships to deliver post graduate Supply Chain programmes with University partners in Malaysia, Malawi, Botswana, Zambia and Raz Al Kaimah. He became Dean of the University Off Campus Division, overseeing the growth of the University's collaborative provision until moving to become Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Operations in 2020.

The focus of Julian's work now is Knowledge Exchange, working with colleagues across the University to embed and expand our engagement with practice and industry partners. He is committed to providing relevant, value adding, supportive expertise to the private, public, and third sector. He is also passionate about facilitating an environment at the University in which staff are supported to engage in effective Knowledge Exchange.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority Representative

Leader of Manchester City Council & Labour Councillor for Burnage Ward

Bev became Leader of Manchester City Council on 1st December 2021. First elected in 2011 as a Burnage Councillor, she has held various roles, including Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, and Deputy Leader overseeing resources, capital programmes, social value, and digital initiatives.

Born and raised on a council estate just outside of Belfast, she was the first in her family to go to university. She moved to Manchester in 2003 for her studies and made it her home. After graduating from the University of Manchester, Bev began her career in Local Government, later working in Higher Education and a national trade union leading on social care. Alongside working full time Bev completed postgraduate degrees at Warwick Business School and the University of Manchester. As Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, Bev oversaw the integration of Manchester’s health and care services and led the city’s COVID health response, focusing on a more equal recovery and championing Manchester’s work to become a Living Wage City.

As Leader, her priorities include Manchester’s COVID recovery, building an inclusive and sustainable economy, supporting children and young people, promoting equalities, housing, and achieving zero carbon. She holds responsibilities within the GM Work and Skills Portfolio and the GM Local Enterprise Partnership. Outside of politics, Bev enjoys sports, the outdoors, music, culture, and exploring Manchester.

Royal Northern College of Music Representative

Academic Registrar

Emma has had an extensive university career, most recently as Academic Registrar at the RNCM and previously at The University of Manchester. She is also a qualified coach.

A leader in higher education, Emma’s experience focuses on academic standards, governance, compliance and enhancing the student experience. Collaborative partnerships have seen her work with institutions nationally and globally, and she has led multi-functional teams covering a varied portfolio. These include Student Disability, Health and Wellbeing, as well as teaching and learning enhancement, policy development and student engagement/ partnership projects.

As the College’s Academic Registrar, Emma provides vision and strategic direction for key activity in academic and student administration, student experience and student progress and assessment. She is also the Executive lead for Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as being Designated Safeguarding and Prevent Lead.

University of Salford Representative

Senior Public Affairs Manager

John leads the public affairs activity for the University of Salford at a national, local, and regional level. As part of his role John supports with the senior leadership team with their engagement with civic and political stakeholders in both Salford and across the Greater Manchester region. He is passionate about the positive impact that the Civic University Board will have on communities in Salford and across the wider Greater Manchester region.

Prior to joining the University, John was the public affairs lead for a business membership group in London and has previously worked in the Civil Service and for Members of Parliament in Westminster.

Manchester Metropolitan University Representative

Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Prof Steve Rothberg is Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Manchester Metropolitan University. He works alongside the Vice-Chancellor to deliver the university strategy and is responsible for planning and academic resourcing. He is also responsible for regional and business engagement. He is a Mechanical Engineer specialising in dynamics with a track record of innovation in noise, vibration and motion measurements.

He holds external roles on EPSRC’s Research Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Team and its EDI Strategic Advisory Network, and is a national Panel Chair for Athena Swan gender equality awards. In Greater Manchester, he is a member of the GM Business Board, the Innovation GM Board and the Oxford Road Corridor Board, as part of his commitment to the vital role of universities in delivering social, cultural and economic prosperity to the region.

University of Manchester Representative

Executive Director of Social Responsibility & Civic Engagement

Dr Julian Skyrme is the founding Director of Social Responsibility at The University of Manchester. Social responsibility is one of the University's three core goals and ensures that Manchester's learning, research, engagement and operational activities make a positive difference to society. He has first-class honours, master’s and doctoral degrees in political philosophy and social sciences from The University of Manchester and spent his early career as a teacher and Assistant Vice-Principal in a large urban sixth form college. Julian contributes to local, national and international policies, initiatives and networks to enhance the social engagement of higher education. He is a member of: Manchester City Council's Strategic Education Partnership Board; the Board of Manchester's Loreto Sixth Form College; the Board of Trustees at MACC – Manchester's voluntary, community and social enterprise support organisation; Business in the Community's (BITC) North-West Leadership Board; and the global University Social Responsibility network. He's also a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, guitarist, everyday cyclist, Manchester United and Wales fan, and father to two children.

University of Greater Manchester Representative

Acting Vice-Chancellor

Dr Greg Walker is Acting Vice-Chancellor of The University of Greater Manchester, having first joined the institution in 2021 as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Strategy).

Greg has spent over 25 years working across academia, tertiary education, and public policy. He has held senior roles at Universities UK, the Open University, and as Chief Executive of MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities. He also headed the national association of colleges organisation in Wales, working closely with the Welsh Government and Professor Sir Ian Diamond to deliver the influential Diamond Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance.

Passionate about widening participation, Greg has taught at Cardiff University, the University of South Wales, and Middlesex University London, and has published on political theory and higher education studies. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to higher education, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Education by the University of Greater Manchester.