Overall University organisation is the responsibility of the Vice-Chancellor's Group.
Professor Ebrahim Adia joined the University of Wolverhampton as Vice-Chancellor on 1 October 2023.
Formerly Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Leadership) at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Ebrahim has a national and international profile and brings to the role a wealth of experience, serving as Chair and member of a number of high-profile boards.
Ebrahim was born and raised in Bolton. He was the first in his family, and one of the few from his school to attend university, which has helped to shape his views on the role of higher education. As a result, Ebrahim has strived in both his professional and personal life to create opportunity and to help transform the lives of individuals and local communities. Ebrahim’s academic background is in public policy and policy analysis. He taught as a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Education for 18 years before moving into academic management. As the Provost for UCLan’s Burnley Campus, Ebrahim led on the development of a new campus and increased student numbers ninefold and as the Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and Transformation at the University of Bolton he helped to improve both student satisfaction and student continuation.
Ebrahim was appointed as a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Panel Member by the Office for Students which enhanced his understanding of best practice to support the development of an outstanding student experience that delivers high levels of graduate employability.
Ebrahim has worked closely with the devolved Greater Manchester Combined Authority where he held the role of deputy portfolio for Economic Strategy and Internationalisation and served as a Board Member of the Manchester Growth Company offering him excellent experience and understanding of working in partnership with public and private stakeholders to mutual benefit. He has also held a number of senior Board roles in the NHS, was appointed by the Government to the Commission on Integration and Cohesion and has served as a Rapporteur at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
Christine Fraser was appointed as Interim University Secretary in July 2024.
Christine brings a wealth of experience, most recently as University Secretary at Cardiff Metropolitan University and as a consultant focusing on effective governance within Higher Education.
Professor Prashant Pillai, MBE, was appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange (KE) in July 2023. The new position forms part of the University’s newly structured Vice-Chancellor's Group and will lead efforts to continue to grow and improve the institute’s world-class research. Prashant's strategic priorities are to embrace all Research and Knowledge Exchange (KE) across the University and embark on a journey of sustained growth: promoting people, culture and ambition.
Formerly Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, in 2023 Prashant was awarded the 2023 India UK Achievers Honours Award in the Education, Science and Innovation category. He has led numerous research projects in networking protocols and cyber security. As Director of the partnership project in Herefordshire Cyber Quarter, Midlands Centre for Cyber Security, he has pursued the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI). His research aims to understand and solve security threats in cyberspace and expand knowledge of cyber-crime on a large scale to protect the smart cities of the future.
Prashant has attained a vast number of accomplishments across two decades since studying his Master's degree in informatics. He has published over 100 papers furthering international understanding of cybercrime, systems, security and other associated topics. Prashant continues to develop innovative education programmes and direct important research projects to increase global understanding of the threats we face as technology continues to progress.
Biography of incoming Interim Chief Financial Officer to follow.
Gill Knight, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic Leadership and Student Experience (ALSE), joined the University in December 2023.
Gill brings a wealth of teaching and learning experience gained during her extensive career in higher education.
In her former role as director of education at Royal Holloway, University of London, Gill focused on the implementation of the organisation’s education strategy informed by the needs of students.
Gill’s previous regional roles include associate dean of education in learning and teaching at Aston University and head of the biosciences department at the University of Derby. Gill has consistently worked in institutions with a diverse student body, often recruited from the local region. She has a wide range of experience in designing and delivering education that successfully reflects the needs of students.
Gill’s ambition for Wolverhampton is to deliver innovative and transformative education practice, working collaboratively with teams to enhance the student experience and outcomes.
Gill is a National Teaching Fellow on Inclusive STEM Education with her research focusing on inclusive education. She is also a member of the Heads of University Biosciences, part of the UK Advising and Tutoring (UKAT) Research Committee and has been a Co-Chair for an international Curricular Innovation Board managed by the Future Talent Council. She was also part of the External Consultant team which worked on revising the QAA benchmarks for the Biosciences (2022).
Rachel joined the University in September 2023 as Interim Director of HR and was appointed to the role of Interim Chief People Officer in 2024. She brings a wealth of HR skills and experience gained over a 30-year career in the people profession, mainly in the Higher Education sector, including HR Director of Keele University. In 2020, her team was named 'HR Team of the Year' by Universities HR (UHR) in recognition of its exceptional contribution to the institution across all areas of strategic and operational HR delivery.
Rachel’s most recent role was at the University of Chester where, on an interim basis, she undertook strategic projects focused on supporting and developing the academic workforce.
Outside of work, Rachel is a trustee of YMCA Crewe. She enjoys spending time with her family and is a keen runner and racquet sports player.
Louise Tonks - Chief Administrative Officer & Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor
Joy Egginton - Executive Assistant
Harjinder Johal - Executive Assistant
Sarah Walters - Executive Assistant
Page updated 11 October 2024.