My guest in this episode is Anna Quinn, Head of Student Services at the University of Northampton. In addition to leading her large team, Anna contributes to the strategic development of the University such as its bid for the University Mental Health Charter and work on student suicide prevention. She also talks in this episode about the work she h…

Tune into the Critic's Club on https://www.rantingmedia.com Friends come and meet once a month at the Critics Club to discuss their favorite movies, tv shows, video games and much more. Some are more right than others, but that’s half the fun. Join Jim, David and Geoff as they duke it out over their latest opinions. Tune in to our podcasts and read…

My guest in this episode is Gemma Kenyon, Director of Careers and Employability at City St George’s University of London. Gemma shares more about her role and how she has successfully directed and embedded a student employability and career focus into institutional life. We talk about how she and her team have gone about collaborating successfully …

The Critic's Club has it's home at https://www.rantingmedia.com. Tune in for fresh reviews, new podcasts, and more! Friends come and meet once a month at the Critics Club to discuss their favorite movies, tv shows, video games and much more. Some are more right than others, but that’s half the fun. Join Jim, David and Geoff as they duke it out over…

Dr Brooke Storer-Church is Chief Executive Officer of Guild HE which represents around 70 diverse institutions in the Higher Education sector. In this episode, Brooke reflects upon why diversity is so important to UK Higher Education, and talks about the way in which Guild HE is working to support and champion this part of HE . She also discusses h…

Kerry Shepherd and Ben Tucker are founders and partners of the executive search firm, Minerva, sponsor of this Leadership Reflections Mini-Series. In our discussion, we explore some of the themes from earlier episodes of the mini-series and put those topics into the wider Higher Education leadership context of 2025. As professionals who have contac…

We're BACK with our Top 10 Movies of the 2010s! Buckle up as Jim, David, and Geoff dive headfirst into a decade packed with cinematic brilliance. From the stylish swagger of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood to the neon-soaked visuals of Tron: Legacy and the relentless drive of Whiplash, this list has it all. Will their picks match yours, or are they c…

Professor Pip Beard is Professor of Viral Pathology and Head of the School of Life Sciences at Keele University. Pip took her up post as Head of School following the initial part of her career in practice and subsequently in research institutes, and she continues to hold a national and international government advisory role in her professional fiel…

My guest in this episode is Jim Irving, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students and Governance) at Southampton Solent University, who has developed his higher education career over the past 25 years across a series of progressively senior professional services posts. Jim reflects on his leadership path so far and delves into a range of topics including what …

My guest in this episode of the Leadership Reflections mini-series is Professor Randall S Whittaker, Principal and CEO of Rose Bruford College, one of the UK's leading specialist performing arts Higher Education Institutions. As a renowned figure for his work on representation and diversity, Randall reflects upon his leadership journey including wh…

My guest in this episode of the Leadership Reflections mini-series is Professor Shân Wareing, Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University. In this episode, Shân shares more about her professional background and progressing her career through an educational development route and into senior leadership. With a prime motivation to want to see students flo…

My guest in this episode is Erica Conway, Chief Financial Officer at the University of Birmingham and Chair of the British Universities Finance Directors Group (BUFDG). In this episode, Erica offers insight into the role of Chief Financial Officer, and how she works in partnership with university colleagues and governors to enable the institution t…

Holly Duglan is a Registrar and Secretary who had a leading role in managing the market exit of Writtle University College and its merger with Anglia Ruskin University in February 2024. In this episode, Holly talks about what led to the decision to exit the market as an autonomous institution, the 'red lines' determined by the Board of Governors to…

Vivi Friedgut is Founder and CEO of Blackbullion, the learning platform for students who want to gain control of their money. Vivi is recognised nationally as one of the top 10 tech influencers and in this episode she shares more about why she set up Blackbullion, how it has evolved and how she works with numerous institutions across the UK and bey…

Reverend Ian Worsfold is Coordinating Chaplain at City St George’s University of London, who, with his team of chaplains from different faiths, play a central role in supporting the pastoral needs of the highly diverse student and staff body. In this episode, Ian discusses how the role of chaplaincy has evolved at the institution during the past te…

Welcome to The Critics Club! This time, we’re counting down our Top 10 Films of the 1970s—from cinematic game-changers to beloved cult classics. Join Jim, David, and Geoff as they reveal their picks, explore what makes these films unforgettable, and discuss why they’ve stood the test of time. Hint: expect everything from the galaxy-spanning epic of…

Dr Monika Nangia is Academic Registrar and Director of Student & Academic Services at Durham University. She is also leading The Power of Storytelling Project as part of the Higher Diversity Coalition. Data shows that ethnic diversity in professional services leadership - especially in student and academic services leadership - is concerningly low.…

Kelli Wolfe is Deputy Academic Registrar at the University of Roehampton. In this episode, Kelli talks about her role as Deputy Academic Registrar as well as the career path that led to it. She also shares background to her recent research entitled 'The Impact of High-Performance Work Practices on Employee Burnout Experience in UK Higher Education:…

Welcome to The Critics Club. This Halloween, we’re counting down our Top 10 Horror Movies of All Time—from the eerie classics to unsettling modern thrillers. Join Jim, David, and Geoff as they reveal their picks, dive into what makes these films unforgettable, and discuss the subtle horrors that stay with you long after the credits roll. Hint: expe…

Dr David Gilani is Head of Student Engagement and Advocacy at Middlesex University. In this episode, David shares more about his leadership of, and thoughts on, student engagement and what that means to support student success. He also reflects upon his own career path to date, and how and why the student engagement professional niche has become so…

Dr Diana Beech is the Chief Executive of London Higher, the largest representative body of its kind in England. In this episode, Diana shares more about the role of London Higher and the type of work that she and her team lead to support the success of HE. She also delves into her career path to date, including her time at the Higher Education Poli…

Akhil Yerneni and Claire Carter are both partners at the Executive Search firm, Anderson Quigley. In this episode, Akhil and Claire demystify the role of an executive search firm in relation to both permanent and interim roles for HE professional services and academic staff and, amongst other topics, offer advice on how and when to work with firms …

Andrea Bolshaw is an Interim Registrar and Secretary. She started her Higher Education career as a Graduate Trainee, and subsequently carved out a career path through increasingly senior positions that took her to becoming a Registrar and Secretary in a permanent role. In 2023, she took a major professional decision to leave permanent employment an…

The Critics Club: Top 10 Movies of the 2000s We're BACK with our Top 10 Movies of the 2000s! Join Jim, David, and Geoff as they reveal their favorite films from the decade. Can you guess which movie we all agreed on? Hint: There's a bit of Shrek, some Hot Fuzz action, and even a taste of Inglourious Basterds in the mix. Welcome to The Critics Club,…

Professor Susannah Quinsee is Vice-President (Digital and Student Experience) at City, University of London and Ian Anderson is Principal Enterprise Architect at Ellucian. In this episode, Ian and Susannah reflect upon many of the themes that have arisen across the mini-series and consider how institutions are managing change. They draw together th…

🔔 Don't miss an episode – Subscribe now! https://rant-on-by-ranting-media.simplecast.com 👍 Like and share if you enjoyed the video! Check out more at Ranting Media: https://www.rantingmedia.com Friends come and meet once a month at the Critics Club to discuss their favorite movies, tv shows, video games and much more. Some are more right than other…

Luke Phillimore is Associate Director of Change at the University of Nottingham and is also the Network Coordinator for the Association of Higher Education Professionals Change Network. In this episode, Luke focuses on why people are at the core of change, the importance of empowering people through the change process and why the most relevant outc…

Krissi Sanft is Managing Director of Portare Solutions, a boutique consultancy firm focused on change and transformation. Portare Solutions has a strategic partnership with Ellucian to accelerate, support and enhance the transformation to Software as a Service (SaaS) student information systems for HEIs. In this episode, Krissi provides an overview…

Greg Sheridan is Senior Registry Digital Manager at the University of the West of Scotland. In this episode, Greg shares his experience of the cyber attack on his institution in July 2023. He explores both the rapid and longer-term change that he needed to progress to build back better the student record system, and how that process was as much abo…

Louise Savage is Head of School Operations in the School of Education at the University of Nottingham. In this episode, Louise talks about her experience of engaging with change from a school perspective including in her roles as both a stakeholder and a leader. She explores navigating that often delicate balance of local and institutional needs, d…

Helen Langley is Project Manager in the Change Support Unit at City, University of London. In this episode, Helen provides an overview of the projects she has and is managing at City to enhance the student experience. She also shares more about how she got into project management, offers insight into the project framework used by City and reflects …

https://www.rantingmedia.com Friends come and meet once a month at the Critics Club to discuss their favorite movies, tv shows, video games and much more. Some are more right than others, but that’s half the fun. Join Jim, David and Geoff as they duke it out over their latest opinions. Tune in to our podcasts and read our lovely reviews at https://…

Ben Rogers is Director of Registry Services at Cardiff Metropolitan University and is also Chair of the UK's Academic Registrars Council. In this episode, Ben talks about being the co-sponsor of an institution-wide change project at Cardiff Met to review student journey processes from enrolment through to graduation and the implementation of a new …

Professor Mairi Watson is Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire, prior to which she was Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience. In this episode, Mairi offers a senior leadership perspective of leading change, the importance of ambition, the scope for taking risks and being brave, and why supporting colleagues' …

Geoff and David dust off their old show the Reel Reporters once again to talk about the new Fallout TV series. There's a lot of spoilers, so if you haven't watched the show yet--tune away. So grab your Nuka-Cola and strap on your Pip-boy, we're heading out into the very vivid and fun wasteland that is one of the few video game adaptations that does…

Yemi Gbajobi is the Chief Executive Officer of Arts Students' Union at the University of the Arts London. In this episode, Yemi talks about her role and career path, discusses the pushes and pulls of the relationship between students' unions and universities, shares how she navigates the intersectionality of being a younger, Black, female leader in…

Rachel Reeds is Senior Admissions Manager at Anglia Ruskin University. In this episode, Rachel talks about about the twists and turns of her career path, discusses the lynchpin role admissions professionals play in supporting students' HE journeys, shares her views on authentic leadership and provides insight into what she's gained from studying on…

Kerry Matthews is Chief Student Officer at the University of Surrey, and holds strategic leadership responsibility for the seamless student journey. In this episode, Kerry shares insight into her role and career path to date, talks about her approach to leading cultural aspects of change, delves into what it's like to be a member of a University Ex…

John Schless is Head of Student Experience at the Royal College of Art. In this episode, John shares his leadership experience at the Royal College of Art as well as the transition to his current post from previously being Chief Executive of the Students' Union at the University of Greenwich. With the benefit of leading the student experience from …

Rebecca O'Hare is Deputy Director of Residential Services at the University of Leeds. In this episode, Rebecca shares more about how student accommodation is a central part of the student experience, talks about her career path in different types of student accommodation jobs and highlights the role she took in response to the national Living Black…

Ashleigh Hope is Head of Access and Participation at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and James Rew is Access and Participation Manager at Leeds Conservatoire. In this episode, Ashleigh and James discuss the HE conservatoire setting, the benefits of working in a small specialist institution and how they have each developed their access and par…