UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER - Key Persons


Alex Erdlenbruch

Job Titles:
  • Chief of Staff
  • Member of the Executive Board
Biography Alex Erdlenbruch was appointed Chief of Staff in April 2019. He previously oversaw the University's Governance Office as Strategic Planning Manager. Prior to joining the University of Leicester, Alex held several roles at De Montfort University in the Executive, Governance and Legal Services Division and the Vice-Chancellor's Office. As Chief of Staff, Alex is a senior advisor and strategic enabler for the President and Vice-Chancellor. He leads the Vice-Chancellor's Office, which encompasses the Executive Support Group and the Public Affairs team, being responsible for the management of the University's relationships with local, regional and national stakeholders. This includes engagement with Ministers and national organisations, ensuring that the University's reputation is protected and enhanced and strategic ambitions are met. He is Secretary to the Executive Board and leads the University's policy analysis. Alex holds two degrees from the University of Sheffield: a BA in History and Politics and an MA in European Politics and Public Policy. He was elected as a sabbatical officer (International Students' Officer) in his final year at University and was a member of the National Union of Students' International Students campaign the following year. Outside of the University, he is a lay trustee of Sheffield Hallam Students' Union.

Alison Benson - President

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee
  • Member of the Nominations Committee
  • President
  • Vice - Chancellor

Alison Charlesworth

Job Titles:
  • Head of Library and Student Enquiries

Andrew Peterson

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee
  • Member of the Education Committee
  • Member of the Nominations Committee

Angie Pears

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee
  • Finance and Infrastructure Committee

Chantal Bielmann


Dr Jennifer Cole-Wright

Job Titles:
  • Associate Professor in Marketing
I am the Director of Learning and Teaching for the Marketing, Innovation, Strategy and Operations department, and have over 10 years' experience of teaching in higher education.

Dr Nicola Bateman

Job Titles:
  • Professor of Operations Management
I have worked in both higher education and industry, in a wide range of sectors. I teach operations management specialising in lean operations and continuous improvement.

Dr Vijay Sharma

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee

Emma Stevens - President

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee
  • Member of the Remuneration Committee
  • Member of the Research and Enterprise Committee
  • President
  • Vice - Chancellor

Esther Arens

Job Titles:
  • Head of Resources

Geoff Green

Job Titles:
  • Assistant
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee
  • Member of the Executive Board
  • Registrar
  • Secretary

Jack Castledine

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee

Jacqui Harley

Job Titles:
  • Executive Assistant to the Deputy Vice - Chancellor ( Professional Services )

Joanne Dunham

Job Titles:
  • Deputy Librarian / Associate Director

Joe Suffield

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee
  • Member of the Remuneration Committee

Jules Pringle

Job Titles:
  • Regional Manager
Regional Manager Jules Pringle and Global Recruitment Officer (West Africa) Abigail Yakubu are more than happy to answer any questions that you might have, put you in touch with one of our current students or recent alumni, or arrange an individual consultation at a time that is convenient for you.

Kerry Law

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Board
  • Vice - Chancellor
  • Deputy Vice - Chancellor ( Professional Services )
  • Senior Marketing Strategist
Kerry is a highly accomplished senior marketing strategist and joined Leicester in January 2019 to help shape and deliver the future vision of the institution. Before joining Leicester, Kerry was the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the University of Nottingham. She has a long career in marketing, of which she has spent over 20 years in Higher Education marketing leadership roles. Formerly she occupied senior roles at De Montfort University and FTSE100 company Pearson.

Kevin Joyce

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee

Laurian Williamson

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director for Research

Mr Gary Dixon

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Nominations Committee
  • Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee

Mr Ian Johnson

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee

Mr Martin Cullen

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee

Mr Richard Tapp

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Alumni Association Committee

Paul Gowdridge - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Member of the Executive Board
  • Chief Financial Officer / Personal Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer
  • Director of Finance and Managed
Paul is the Chief Financial Officer, leading financial performance and delivery of the University's financial strategy. A member of the Executive Board and Senior Leadership team, Paul is responsible for all aspects of the finance at the University. Paul has been at the University since January 2017, initially as Deputy Director of Finance. In April 2019 Paul was appointed Deputy Chief Financial Officer in recognition of his role across the whole of the Finance Division.

Sarah Whittaker

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director for Education

Simon Dixon

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director for Community and Heritage

Steve Loddington

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Research and Enterprise Committee

Steve Williams

Job Titles:
  • University Librarian and Director of Library and Learning Services

Sue Hucknall


Vishnu Vankayala

Job Titles:
  • Regional Manager
Regional Manager Vishnu Vankayala, and Sariga Vellila Gangadharan are both based in India and would be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have, put you in touch with one of our current students or recent alumni, or arrange an individual consultation at a time that is convenient for you.