Profiles of Governors

Mrs Sarah Speck (Chair)

Sarah works in the NHS as Director of Place Development for the Worcestershire Integrated Care System where she is responsible for the development of new and innovative ways of partnership working and delivery across health and social care, primary and secondary care, and physical and mental health organisations. Sarah has worked in the NHS since 2012, carrying out roles for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, NHS England, the NHS National Guardian’s Office, and the Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Sarah trained as a plant biologist and science communicator. Having transitioned from plant science research to a corporate affairs career, she held a number of public and private sector roles in DEFRA’s Animal and Plant Health Agency, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and global agribusiness Syngenta. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Royal Society of Biology. Sarah is also a Member of Mercian Educational Trust, responsible for the education of more than 1300 school children.

Sarah Joined the Board of the University of Worcester in 2013 and became Chair of the Board in August 2022. Sarah lives in Malvern with her husband and two sons.

Ronke Akintan

Ronke Akintan is the President of Worcester Students’ Union. As the lead representative, she strives to empower students by campaigning and speaking up on the issues that are important to them. Ronke has recently completed her Law degree and is due to graduate September 2025.

Lerverne Barber

Lerverne is Head of the School of Sport and Exercise Science (SSES) and Principal Lecturer.  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 Finance & Development Committee.

Dr Diana Beech

Diana works at City St George's, University of London as the inaugural Director of the new public-facing policy hub - the Finsbury Institute. She is also Professor and Assistant Vice-President (Policy and Government Affairs). Diana holds a PhD in German from the University of Cambridge and has held leadership and policy roles in higher education and within national government, including as Chief Executive of London Higher and Policy Advisor to three consecutive UK Universities and Science Ministers. Diana was made a Companion of the British Academy of Management in 2022 and received Freedom of the City of London in 2024 in recognition of her work in higher education. Diana is one of the two Vice-Chairs of the Board of Governors, Chair of the Remuneration Committees and serves on the Finance & Development Committee.

Katie Costis

I am the Vice President Education at Worcester Students' Union. I am the lead representative for students' academic experience at the University. I am passionate about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion as well as student voice. I have recently completed my LLB Law Degree at the University.

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 and Investment committees.

Professor David Green CBE DL

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 is now retired from Government.

Mike is a Chartered Manager, holds a MSc in Management and Organisational development and a Social Science Graduate. He completed a Post Graduate Certificate and Masters degree at Oxford University.

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. He is Chair of 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 is Chair of the People & Culture Committee.

Carolyn Moir

As the Head of Student Evaluation & Enhancement at the University of Worcester, Carolyn is responsible for managing and coordinating student surveys across the institution, supporting the annual evaluation process for courses, and providing analysis and reporting on key data. With over 20 years in project and operations management roles she has extensive experience of working to develop new processes, networks, and reporting structures across organisations. She works with colleagues across the University on a range of quality enhancement projects focused on the student experience and supporting the wider goals of the institution.  Carolyn joined the Board of Governors as a staff member in August 2022 and serves on the Audit Committee.

Mrs Sally Morgan

Sally retired from a successful 37 year career in the financial services industry at the end of 2021. Initially trained in Corporate Lending at Lloyds Bank she then went on to hold many senior executive/ management roles including at Coventry Building Society and Nationwide (top 5 and top 30 respectively) and did interim roles as COO including two private equity companies; for the last 5 1/2 years Sally worked for the Tipton & Coseley Building Society as Operations Director, where she led significant transformation and digital strategy and served on the Board of Directors. She has previously been a Charity Trustee for the Arab Horse Society.

Sally joined the Board in August 2022 and is Chair of the Investment Committee and a member of the Finance and Development Committee.

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).

Olayemi Ogunleye

I serve as the Vice President of Students’ Activities, where I lead and coordinate a wide range of initiatives in Sports clubs, societies and fundraising designed to enhance campus life and support the overall well-being of our student community.

Currently, I am pursuing a second master's degree by research in International Business Management, deepening my understanding of global markets and cross-cultural business dynamics.

By combining academic excellence with real-world insight, I strive to bridge the gap between theory and practice in both student leadership and international business.

Mr Darius Pocha

Darius Pocha is co-founder of Create/Change, a technology consultancy that advises the Government and education sector on digital transformation. He graduated from the University of Worcester in 1997 with First Class Honours in Art & Design with Psychology.

Darius has advised Department for Education on FE/HE and adult skills policy, including the design of T-Levels and the National Skills Fund. He's supported UCL’s CAPE programme on the application of AI in public policy and been a technical advisor to Pearson on the development of new design and technology qualifications. 

 Darius is a Trustee of the Royal Female School of Art Foundation, a grant-making charity which aims to widen access to the arts and creative professions.

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 Rob Richards

Rob Richards joined the University's Board of Governors in May 2024 and is a member of the Board’s Audit Committee.

Mr Keith Sorrell MBE

Keith is an Education Consultant and until January 2022 was Chief Executive of Windsor Academy Trust when he retired from the role. 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.

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 was coach to Wales Women from 1986-91, assistant coach to the England Men's team at the 1994 World Cup and the European Championships 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.

Keith is one of the two Vice-Chairs of the Board of Governors and Chair of the Finance & Development Committee.

Mrs Lucy Taylor

Lucy worked as a police officer before qualifying as a solicitor in 2002, and worked in family, healthcare, inquests and mental health law in the North East and Midlands.  She has worked in governance within the NHS and in both school and university settings, having most recently worked as Head of Governance and Corporate Affairs at a Multi Academy Trust. Lucy has experience in complaints mediation and adjudication, and joined the Board in August 2022 as an independent governor.