Executive

As a University we are led by our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin Jones.

Overall management of the University is the responsibility of the University Executive, which comprises the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education and Research), Chief Financial Officer & Deputy Chief Executive, and Chief Operating Officer.

The Executive Team are responsible for corporate strategy and operational policy decisions.

Professor Martin Jones

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

Professor Martin Jones has served as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of University of Staffordshire since January 1, 2022.

Martin's profile

Professor Raheel Nawaz

Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education and Research)

As Pro Vice Chancellor (Education and Research), Professor Raheel Nawaz leads on academic strategy, leadership, and delivery.

Raheel's profile

Sally McGill

Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Executive

Sally joined the Executive Team of University of Staffordshire in July 2019. As Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Executive, Sally is responsible for the University’s financial, commercial and environmental sustainability.

Sally's profile

Ian Blachford

Chief Operating Officer

Ian is the Chief Operating Officer at University of Staffordshire and a member of the University’s Executive Team.

Ian's profile

Organisational structure

The Executive Team, and all colleagues with Executive within their title, form the University Executive Board (UEB). The UEB is the main decision making body of the University. 

Professor Martin Jones - Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

  • Professor Raheel  Nawaz - Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Research
        • Executive Dean of School of Digital, Technologies, Innovation and Business
            • Computing and Esports
            • Creative Industries
            • Engineering
            • Institute of Business and Innovation
            • University of Staffordshire Games Institute
        • Executive Dean of School of Health, Education, Policing And Sciences
            • Institute of Education
            • Institute of Policing
            • Social Work, Law and Criminology
            • Nursing and Midwifery
            • Psychology
            • Sport and Science
            • Allied Health
        • Executive Director of Student Life
          Student Life provides all the front-facing student services for University students, including Student Support, Library and Skills, and Employability.
        • Executive Director of Curriculum and Academic Affairs
          Curriculum and Academic Affairs supports learning and teaching activity and includes Registry, Quality, and Education Enhancement.
        • Director of Research and Postgraduate Research
          Research and Postgraduate Research have responsibility for building our research and innovation environment, research integrity and ethics, and measuring the impact of our research.
        • Executive Director of Business to Business
          Business to Business is part of the Business to Markets function, which includes activities such as apprenticeships, collaborative academic partnerships (domestic and international) and our wider business engagement activities
  • Sally McGill - Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Executive
        • Executive Director of Infrastructure
          Infrastructure consists of teams that support the University in our activities, including Digital Services, Technical Services, and Facilities Management.
        • Director of Finance
          Finance are responsible for looking after the University accounts, including financial planning and budgeting, and procurement activities.
        • Director of Commercial
          Commercial covers activities including Catering, Conferencing and Events, the Sports Centre, Nursery, and Alumni and Donor giving.
  • Ian Blachford - Chief Operating Officer
        • Director of Business Intelligence and Management Reporting 
          Business Intelligence and Management Reporting provides data and insight that helps the University make strategic decisions and underpins operational management.
        • Executive Director of Marketing, Brand and Voice
          Marketing, Brand and Voice focuses on the deployment of the brand and supporting marketing activities across all our main income streams including undergraduate and postgraduate (home and international recruitment), apprenticeships and our broader business to business activities.
        • Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development
          Human Resources and Organisational Development (HR&OD) drives our people and culture, policies and processes, including Recruitment, Payroll, Pensions, Compliance, Business Partnering, and Organisational Development.
        • Executive Director of Business to Consumer
          Business to consumer focuses upon student recruitment and outreach, applicant engagement and admissions for domestic and international audiences.
        • Corporate Services Executive Lead
          Corporate Services includes teams who support our core business requirements: legal, risk and resilience, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, corporate communications and public affairs, governance, and transformation.
for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021