Profiles of Governors

Mr John Bateman OBE (Chair)

John retired as CEO of UK Youth in 2010 following a long career in formal and non-formal education in both the maintained and not for profit sectors. He has served terms as President of the European Confederation of Youth Organisations, Vice Chair of the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services and has been a member of numerous Ministerial Advisory Groups at the DfE. He was a founding Trustee of the Foundation for Outdoor Adventure, a Director of Youth FM and a member of the Advisory Board for Whole Education.  He is currently a Trustee at The Rural Media Company and The Aspire Academy, an AP Free School in Worcester. He was awarded the OBE for services to young people in 2004.

Lerverne Barber

Lerverne is Associate Head and Principal Lecturer within the School of Sport and Exercise Science (SSES).  She has worked in education her whole career and has a wealth of experience in her subject area, having been a Secondary PE teacher, PE adviser and Ofsted Inspector. She has also worked as an independent PE Consultant leading projects and delivering training for organisations such as the Youth Sport Trust, the Qualification and Curriculum Authority and the Department for Education.  Lerverne has played a key role in developing the School's international profile in countries such as China and Japan, for work in inclusive sport and Adapted Physical Education. In 2015 she achieved the award of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy for her leadership of learning and teaching (SFHEA), followed by the award of National Teaching Fellow (NTF) in 2017. Lerverne is an Academic Staff governor and serves on the Audit Committee.

Dr Diana Beech

Diana is Head of Government Affairs at the University of Warwick. She was previously Policy Adviser for higher education to three separate UK Ministers for Universities and Science. This was a role she fulfilled after a stint as the first Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Higher Education Policy Institute, where she published widely on topics including future demand for higher education, widening access to university and free speech. Diana also previously had a key role in shaping the new regulatory landscape for higher education in England, having been Programme Manager in the Department for Education with specific responsibility for establishing the Office for Students (OfS). Diana holds a PhD in German Studies from the University of Cambridge and has held early-career academic appointments at universities in Canada, Germany and the UK. Diana is an Independent governor and serves on the Audit Committee.

Mr Louis Coiffait

Louis Coiffait is a Senior Policy Adviser in the government's Open Innovation Team. He helps get expertise and evidence (primarily from academics) into policy-making on a wide range of policy areas. His recent projects include contributing to the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, and on how the education system can sustain long-term recovery from COVID-19. His career includes working with universities, publishers, university trade press outlet Wonkhe, think tank Reform, a union, the Higher Education Academy, the Teacher Training Agency, for an MP and a cabinet minister. He is a keen volunteer, including as a school governor since 2010, with several stints as chair. He's currently vice-chair of a school in Tower Hamlets. He was also chair of a students' union for three years. Louis became an independent governor in 2021 and serves on the Finance & Development Committee. 

Elizabeth Davies-Ward

Experienced Head of School with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. I have a proven track record in building strong teams by adopting a strength based approach to leadership. I have a background in the management of quality and standards in Higher Education having occupied the role of Head of Quality in the Institute of Health for a number of years. I have a proven track record in change management. I have a positive leadership style and and I'm committed to the principles of authentic leadership.

Mr Sean Devlin

Sean retired after 44 years in secondary education in 2017. He enjoyed a career in a variety of schools in Papua New Guinea and England. His career started as a V.S.O teacher and culminated with 15 years as Principal of Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College in Worcester. His main teaching subjects were Economics, Politics and Sociology. He feels fortunate to have had a very satisfying and challenging career. He is currently a Schools and Parish Volunteer with CAFOD, Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of Worcester Sixth Form College and Vice-Chair of the St. Teresa of Calcutta Multi Academy in Birmingham. Sean is an Independent governor and serves on the People & Culture committee.

Mrs Diana Gant

Diana retired from teaching in 2009; for the last 9 years of her career she was Headmistress of the Mount School in York. She was a governor of York St John University for 9 years until she returned to Worcester in 2014, having been Head of Religious Studies at the King's School in the 1980s. She also volunteers with the Maggs Day Centre and Worcester Cathedral Education Department.  Diana joined the Board of Governors as an independent governor in August 2015 and is Vice Chair of the Board. 

Professor David Green CBE

Professor David Green is the Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Worcester. He has been the University’s executive head since 2003 and is accountable to the University’s Board of Governors for the strategic leadership, overall performance and management of the University. He led Worcester to successful applications for full University title in 2005, and for Research Degree Awarding Powers in 2010. David is a member of the Board of Universities UK and GuildHE. 

Mr Mike Hardy

Mike has spent most of his professional career in the public sector working primarily within the Criminal Justice System. Following his training and qualifying as a Probation Officer Mike has worked in the high security custodial estate and led teams working within the community on public protection. His interest in Substance Misuse - treatment and services - has seen Mike lead national and international policy initiatives to help reduce the harmful effects illicit drugs and alcohol can have. Mike currently is a Civil Servant working for the Ministry of Justice.

Mike is a Chartered Manager, holds a MSc in Management and Organisational development and a Social Science Graduate.

Away from work Mike enjoys sport, the arts and of course helping the University of Worcester to continue to thrive in whatever way he can.

Mike has been associated with the Worcester area for 35 years and is delighted to form part of the Board of Governors.

Mr David Iddon

David retired in 2013 following a career in secondary education as a modern foreign languages teacher and, from 2003-13, as Headteacher/Executive Head of Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, Sutton Coldfield.  He is passionate about raising aspirations and achievement and providing educational opportunities of the highest calibre. He has a particular interest in community cohesion and social mobility issues.  Having co-founded an educational charity, he has considerable experience of alumni activities, fund raising strategies and capital project management.  He is currently a trustee of a charity with an emphasis on health and education.  Beyond education, his interests include France and French culture, sport, ornithology, aviculture and photography.  David joined the Board in 2014 and serves on the Audit Committee.

Dr Claire Jones

Claire Jones is a local GP, and has worked in Worcester for 22 yrs. She has a special interest in medical research, and is a GP Research Champion for the NIHR ( National Institute of Health Research).  She joined the Board in 2020 and is a member of the People & Culture committee.

Mr Nadeem Khan

Nadeem is a District Judge based in Worcester having previously qualified as a solicitor in 1999.  He has a particular focus on civil and family law with a particular specialism in Children Law. He has previously been a charity trustee for the East Midlands Christian fellowship and was a founding member of the voluntary organisation Indus Project in Derby. Nadeem joined the Board in 2017/18 and serves on the People & Culture Committee.

Liam Lees

Liam is the President at Worcester Students’ Union. Liam's role is to champion the rights, welfare, and diversity of our students. Liam will be making sure all students feel empowered and run campaigns helping students speak up for issues that matter to them. Liam is new to the Presidential role but has had experience representing student voice as both a Network Chair and a Course representative. Liam studied BA Creative Writing and Screenwriting.

Rag Mularczyk

Rag is the Vice President Education at Worcester Students' Union and one of three student representatives on the Board of Governors. He is a sabbatical officer, who has completed his degree in BSc Hons Geography. Rag’s role at Worcester Students’ Union involves being the lead representative for Worcester students on matters relating to their academic experience.

Mr Asif Noorani

Asif co-founded Epiphany Productions to foster creativity and collaboration across the domains of art, science, engineering, and design.  As a seasoned business leader and board level advisor, his portfolio career across Europe and far east Asia, has cultivated inter disciplinary specialisms in behaviour change, imaginative problem solving and compelling storytelling.

As a Digital Democracy Champion for the Speaker's Digital Democracy Commission and author of two Digital Transformation Guides (produced with Wincanton PLC) he regularly speaks about the art of the possible and the mindset needed to embrace this.

Asif is an ambassador for the pioneering charities UK Youth and Action through Enterprise (sub-Saharan Africa).

The Rev'd Canon Dr Alvyn Pettersen

 The Rev’d Canon Dr Alvyn Pettersen, who is based in Oxford, is an adviser to Church Action on Labour and Life (CALL), a Europe-wide network that seeks to address employment and related economic and social issues, a Bishops’ Inspector of Church of England Theological Colleges and Courses, and the author of the very recently published The Second Century Apologists [Wipf & Stock 2020]. Prior to returning to Oxford he was Canon Theologian of Worcester Cathedral, a parish priest in Surrey, and a Chaplain of Clare College, Cambridge, and Exeter College, Oxford, in which university he also taught Theology. Co-opted to the Board of the University in 2014, he is a member of the Finance and Development Committee.

Mr Darius Pocha

Darius is a British/Indian entrepreneur and adviser to UK Government on the use of digital in education, health, justice and environment. He is CEO of consultancy Create/Change.

From 2017-2020 Darius worked closely with policy teams in DfE on FE/HE and adult skills policy, including the design of T Levels and the National Skills Fund. He is a CAPE adviser to UCL on the application of artificial intelligence in public policy.

Darius also sits on the Board of Centre for Digital Public services, the arms-length body responsible for driving digital transformation in Wales.

Darius is an alumnus of University of Worcester where he gained a first class Honours in Art & Design with Psychology.

Neve Ricketts

Neve is Vice President Student Activities within the Students' Union. After four years, she has just finished her Integrated Masters in Touring Theatre MT. Neve’s role is to liaise with the committees of sports clubs and societies promoting engagement within the student body. Neve also takes the lead on fundraising and TeamWorc Action. 

Marc Scriven

Marc Scriven is currently UW Director of Strength and Conditioning (S&C), and Head of S&C for two professional sport franchises; UW Worcester Wolves Ltd and Severn Stars VNSL Netball. In addition, Marc is a Governor for Aspire, a secondary age group, AP school in Worcester. Having been fortunate to enjoy a very successful personal and professional  career in sport, Marc now feels it a privilege to mentor students and young people at the beginning of their working lives. As a member of staff, Marc joined the University Board of Governors in 2018.     

Mr Ian Smith

Ian is the Chair of Bishop Fleming LLP, a top 30 firm of chartered accountants, where he has specific responsibility for the development of partners and senior management. He went to school in Worcester and has a geography degree from Durham University. He is a Trustee of The Rowlands Trust, Queen Elizabeth's Almshouses, The Kildare Trust and The Clothiers Company Charitable Foundation. He is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Tax Advisor. 

Mr Keith Sorrell

Keith is Chief Executive of Windsor Academy Trust. He became full time CEO in 2016 having previously served the dual role of CEO and  Headteacher at Windsor High School and Sixth Form since 2011.

Keith started his teaching career in Staffordshire and Birmingham before being appointed as Headteacher at Windsor High School in 1999. Keith achieved rapid success at the school, quickly moving it to an Ofsted Outstanding school and launching its highly successful sixth form in 2010. 

Windsor High School was one of the first nine trust schools that emerged in 2007 and Keith helped the DfE to further define and improve the academisation process as well as speaking at numerous national events about the benefits of collaboration.

Keith is a National Leader for Education and worked as a secondary headteacher consultant for the Department for Education between 2002 and 2005. During his consultancy for the DfE, Keith supported the high profile workforce reform agenda and Every Child Matters projects.  Keith also served on the Association of School and College Leaders council for over 10 years and on the Public and Parliamentary Committee.

Keith gained a BEd from Loughborough University in Physical Education and an MA from University of Warwick in research policy and methodology. Alongside an extensive teaching career, Keith was an International hockey coach. He took the England Men's team to the 1994 World Cup and the European Championships, Wales Ladies 1986 to 91 and was a GB Olympic selector between 1994 and 1996. He also coached Cannock Hockey Club to national titles and European finals from 1999 to 2002.

Mrs Sarah Speck

Lay member of the governing body of South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group leading on patient and public engagement. Sarah is a plant biologist and MSc trained science communicator, she transitioned from crop science research to a corporate affairs career managing communications, marketing and public relations programmes for Defra's Animal Health agency and global agribusiness, Syngenta. She is a Chartered member of the Society of Biology and a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.  Sarah is also a parent director of the governing body of a local primary school.  Sarah joined the Board in 2013 and is a member of the Finance and Development Committee and Vice Chair of the Board.