Skip to content Exit mobile menu

Senior Leadership Team of the University

This page outlines the role and responsibilities of the Senior Leadership Team and information about each of the members.

Roles and responsibilities of the Senior Leadership Team

The University's Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meets on a regular basis to set the direction of the University and determine the University's strategic approach to meet the objectives of Vision 2030 and goals of the University. Meetings are chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and bring together senior leaders from across the University. The Vice-Chancellor and the SLT team report to, and implement the decision of the Board of Governors who are responsible for the strategic direction of the University. 

Vice-Chancellor 

The Vice-Chancellor is the University’s Chief Executive Officer, responsible for strategic leadership, governance, academic excellence, and financial sustainability, whilst maintaining the University’s distinct mission and core values. The Vice-Chancellor chairs the Senior Leadership Team, the University Executive Committee and Academic Board, and is a member of the Board of Governors. The Vice-Chancellor is also the University’s principal ambassador, promoting its work regionally, nationally and internationally. 

Provost 

The Provost and Chief Academic Officer has oversight of all academic activity, providing leadership in defining and driving forward the vision, mission, and priorities of the University for student experience, learning, teaching, and research. The Provost also has responsibility for quality and standards, degree outcomes, progression, and retention. The Provost chairs the Academic Development Committee which has oversight of the quality of student experience, learning and teaching, and the University Research Committee which has oversight of the quality of research. Alongside the academic areas, the Provost at St Mary's currently also has interim oversight of the Global Engagement team, this includes Marketing, Communications, Recruitment and International.  

Chief Operating Officer  

The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for providing leadership to the University’s key professional service departments that underpin the effective and efficient operation of the University and ensures that these services meet the needs of the St Mary’s community.

Chief Financial Officer

      The Chief Financial Officer leads on all aspects of finance within the University including business partnering, strategic planning, risk management, and internal audit. They are also responsible for alumni and development and employability. 

University Secretary  

The University Secretary role is to provide legal advice and information on governance, policy, and data protection. The University Secretary is a member of the Board of Governors and a member of the senior leadership team, as well advising and working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and committee chairs.

Further information and bibliography

Senior Leadership Team

SYMEON_DAGKAS_FEB_22_TBM_2384Prof Symeon Dagkas

Provost and Chief Academic Officer 
symeon.dagkas@stmarys.ac.uk

Jo Blunden Jo Blunden

Chief Operating Officer
jo.blunden@stmarys.ac.uk

andrew-browningAndrew Browning

University Secretary and Head of Governance
andrew.browning@stmarys.ac.uk