Executive Committee

Executive Committee membership

As part of the University’s commitment to equality and diversity within and beyond its community, individual members of our executive leadership team also act as inclusion champions in relation to each of the nine protected characteristics.

The Executive Committee comprises:

• the Vice-Chancellor, who is the senior academic and administrative officer and the de facto Chief Executive of the University with overall responsibility for the leadership and management of the institution and the University’s Accountable Officer
• the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor*, who provides strategic academic oversight for the delivery of the University’s Strategic Plan. This includes executive responsibility for the University’s planning, performance and resource allocation processes, outreach and student recruitment, and capital planning and space management
• the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education* and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research*, who are each responsible for developing the University’s Education and Research Strategies and for ensuring the effective implementation of these strategies
• the Executive Deans* of our three Faculties (Arts and Humanities; Science and Health; and Social Sciences), who are the heads of each Faculty
• the Chief Operating Officer, who leads Professional Services at the University (other than Finance, Planning and Data Insight, which is led by the Chief Financial Officer)
• the Chief Financial Officer, who is responsible for the University's financial management and supporting the University’s planning and data analysis
• the Director of People and Culture, who is responsible for leading the strategic development and delivery of the University’s people agenda
• the University Secretary, who is responsible for ensuring effective governance within the University

*Academic members of the Executive Committee also spend 20 per cent of their time undertaking research at the highest level and maintaining and developing their research careers.

Professor Frances Bowen, Vice-Chancellor

The University Ordinances state that the Vice-Chancellor: ‘shall have a general responsibility to the Council for maintaining and promoting the efficiency and good order of the University.’ She is responsible to the University Council and is an ex officio member of the Council and of the Senate, which she chairs. The Vice-Chancellor also chairs the Executive Committee, the leadership team which meets weekly during term time and advises the Vice-Chancellor on matters relating to the management of the University.

Find out more about the Vice-Chancellor.

Contact

Mariella O'Brien, PA to the Vice-Chancellor
Telephone 01206 872815
Email mariella.obrien@essex.ac.uk

Professor Neil Kellard, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor Neil Kellard provides strategic academic oversight for the delivery of the University’s strategic plan. This includes executive responsibility for the University’s planning, performance and resource allocation processes, outreach and student recruitment, and capital planning and space management. Neil leads on the development and implementation of the University’s human resources strategy, including executive leadership of equality, diversity and inclusion. As Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Kellard is a member of the Executive Committee, Policy and Resources Committee, Senate and Council.

Contact

Sally Morris, PA to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Telephone 01206 872436
Email sally.morris@essex.ac.uk

Professor Larra Anderson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Larra Anderson is responsible for developing the University’s education strategy (covering both undergraduate and postgraduate education, and both the academic and extra-curricular experience of students), and for ensuring the effective implementation of this strategy. She is a member of the Executive Committee, Policy and Resources Committee and Senate, and is one of the University's gender diversity champions.

Inclusion Champion: Race

Contact

Louise Soper, PA to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)
Telephone 01206 876376
Email lhawk@essex.ac.uk

Professor Chris Greer, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research)

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Chris Greer is responsible for developing the University’s research strategy (including the dissemination and application of the University’s research through knowledge transfer activities, and consultancy), and for ensuring the effective implementation of the strategy. He is a member of the Executive Committee, Policy and Resources Committee and Senate.

Inclusion Champion: Trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people.

Contact

Sally Morris, PA to the Chief Operating Officer
Telephone 01206 872436
Email sally.morris@essex.ac.uk

Professor Sanja Bahun, Executive Dean (Faculty of Arts and Humanities)

Professor Sanja Bahun provides academic leadership to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in its pursuit of the purpose, aims and objectives set out in the University’s Strategic Plan. She is responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the Faculty including devolved responsibility for financial management. Professor Bahun line manages the Faculty Deputy Dean (Education), Deputy Dean (Research)  and the Heads of Department in the Faculty and is directly supported by a Faculty support team led by a Faculty Manager, and by relevant colleagues in professional services.

Inclusion Champion: Jewish Students and Staff

Contact

Julie Storey, Faculty Administrator
Telephone 01206 874406
Email humadmin@essex.ac.uk

Professor Silke Paulmann, Executive Dean (Faculty of Science and Health)

Professor Silke Paulmann provides academic and strategic leadership to the Faculty of Science and Health, ensuring delivery of the University’s purpose, aims and objectives. She has overall responsibility for the Faculty’s strategic direction, performance, and financial sustainability, working closely with senior colleagues to foster excellence in education, research, and external engagement.

As Executive Dean, Professor Paulmann line manages the Faculty’s Deans (Education and Research) and Heads of Department and is supported by a Faculty Manager and professional services team. She represents the Faculty on the University’s Executive Committee, contributing to institution-wide decision-making and strategic development. Her leadership focuses on inter-disciplinary collaboration, enhancing the student and staff experience, and extending the Faculty’s influence beyond academia to enhance its visibility and societal contribution.

Contact

Jen Eames, Executive Officer and Faculty Coordinator
Telephone 01206 874520
Email shpa@essex.ac.uk

Professor Shane Martin, Acting Executive Dean (Faculty of Social Sciences)

Professor Shane Martin provides leadership to the internationally renowned Faculty of Social Sciences. He is responsible for ensuring the delivery of excellence in research and education across the Social Sciences at Essex. He has overall responsibility for the Faculty’s strategic direction, performance, and financial sustainability, working closely with senior professional services and academic colleagues. Professor Martin line manages the Faculty Deans (Undergraduate), Faculty Dean (Research), Faculty Dean (Postgraduate), and the Heads of Department within the Faculty. He is directly supported by a Faculty support team led by a Faculty Manager. As Acting Executive Dean, Professor Martin is a member of the Executive Committee and Senate and is also a Senate-elected member of Council. Drawing on his experience as a first-in-family student, he is passionate about the transformational power of education and world-leading research. 

Contact

Nikki Jackson, PA and Faculty Administrator
Telephone 01206 872690
Email ss-pa@essex.ac.uk

Chris Oldham, Chief Operating Officer

As Chief Operating Officer, Chris Oldham leads Professional Services at the University (other than Finance, Planning and Data Insight, which is led by the Chief Financial Officer). Professional Services support the delivery of education, research and the wider student experience, through a range of business sections and strategies, in support of the University strategy and mission. Chris leads on development of the University’s Capital Investment Plan and chairs the Project Coordination Group and the University Health and Safety Group. He is also a member of the University subsidiary company boards of the Knowledge Gateway, Campus Services and Wivenhoe House Hotel. He is a member of the Executive Committee, Policy and Resources Committee, and Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Inclusion Champion: Accessibility.

Contact

Heather Tarling, PA to Acting Chief Operating Officer
Telephone 01206 873147
Email heather.tarling@essex.ac.uk

Sara Limerick, Director of People and Culture

Sara Limerick is the University’s Director of People and Culture, responsible for leading the strategic development and delivery of the University’s people agenda. She plays a key role in shaping an inclusive, values-driven culture that supports staff wellbeing, engagement, and performance across the institution.

Sara provides executive leadership for Employee Relations, Organisational Development, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Occupational Health and Health and Safety, ensuring alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan. As part of the University’s senior leadership team, Sara contributes to institutional decision-making and policy development, with a particular focus on embedding inclusive practices. She works closely with academic and professional services colleagues to ensure that people and culture strategies are responsive to the evolving needs of the University community.

Sara brings extensive experience in strategic HR leadership across the higher education and public sectors. Her approach is collaborative and people-centred, with a strong emphasis on values, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Contact

Megan Winstanley, PA and Administrator
Telephone 01206 876468
Email mw23810@essex.ac.uk

Lucy Johnson, University Secretary

Lucy Johnson is responsible for ensuring effective governance within the University. This includes advising the Council and senior management teams on governance matters and on compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Lucy leads the Governance and Information Assurance teams. In addition to governance, Lucy contributes to the University’s strategic planning processes, ensuring that governance structures align with the institutional goals and objectives.

Contact

Sally Ovenden, Governance Assistant
Telephone 01702 328215
Email governance@essex.ac.uk