With a career that has taken me from
artificial intelligence to
data science and into the
higher education sector, I am the leading expert on the creation of
higher education assessments and rankings. My rankings have been designed with the twin goals of fair evaluation and driving change within the sector. This has given me a unique insight into the levers that can be used to transform universities and higher education systems around the world.
As
Global Head of Research at
Newsweek I lead a team looking to grow the existing rankings portfolio in a mission led, thoughtful direction. With projects including, Cities of the Future, World's Most Innovative Universities as well as with nationally focused activities such as America's Best Collges for Women.
Prior to this, I was
Chief Data Officer at
Times Higher Education, where I created global university data platforms and founded the
THE Impact Rankings, the first international ranking measuring universities’ contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The rankings created a new framework for understanding how universities contribute not only through research, but also through teaching, stewardship, and engagement with society.
Throughout my career I have focused on using data to help higher education institutions make better decisions and create positive social impact. As part of this work I chaired the
Rankings, Ratings and Assessment Group at the
United Nations Higher Education Sustainability Initiative from 2019-2025.
Alongside my work in higher education I founded
DataKind UK, bringing together data scientists and charities to apply advanced analytics to social challenges
My work combines strategic leadership, methodological development, and public engagement. I have advised universities, governments, and organisations around the world, and I regularly speak about higher education strategy, sustainability, and the responsible use of data.
I am interested in conversations about:
- leadership roles in higher education
- sustainability strategy and SDG measurement
- advisory or board positions
- speaking and collaboration
I am particularly interested in initiatives that strengthen the role of universities in addressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and sustainable development.
Times Higher Education
As well as being a 50 year old higher education magazine, THE is also the world's leading provider of data on global higher education.
As Chief Data Officer from 2015 to 2025 I built the data function from the ground up. With more than 30 data experts reporting to me I had day-to-day leadership responsibilities, reporting directly to the CEO.
I developed new ideas and rankings, expanding the reach of the organisation to new topics and geographies, and uncovering a different approach to identifying and rewarding excellence.
The reach of THE rose from 200 universities when I joined to over 5,000 by the time I left.
My thought leadership ensured that I represented THE at the highest levels, inluding at the C20 in India. Some of my articles can be found here.
Times Higher Education
THE Impact Rankings
The UN Sustainable Development Goals are one of the most important initiatives in the world. They give a roadmap for ensuring that the world develops in a sustainable way and avoids climate catastrophe.
Universities have a key role to play, but in 2018 there was still no major incentive for progress in the sector. As a result of this I developed a unique new ranking that evaluates how universities are working towards the goals, through perspectives on research, stewarship, outreach, and teaching.
This initiative gave THE a platform at the United Nations, and has bevome a multi-million pound business and the cornerstone of a global event with more than 4,000 delegates.
2,500 universities from across the world have chosen to participate, reaching more than 40 million students.
Impact Rankings
DataKind UK
The importance of data, and more recently AI, in the social sector cannot be underestimated.
In 2013, together with Fran Bennett, Kaitlin Thaney, and Stewart Townsend, I founded DataKind UK - the first UK charity to work in data philanthropy.
DataKind UK supports data scientists who want to volunteer their services for other charities - making sure that society can benefit from using data for good.
The charity grew from a purely volunteer led initiative to one with a permament staff, supporting a wide range of organisations across the UK.
From 2013-2020 I served as Chair of Trustees for the organisation.
DataKind UK is an independent charity registered in England, and is part of the wider DataKind network.
DataKind UK
Education and Research
I was educated at Queens' College Cambridge, where I studied Natural Sciences.
I have worked for Protagona Worldwide, Teradata, Experian, and Teradata again before becoming CDO of Times Higher Education.
In 2025 I left THE to become Global Head of Research at Newsweek.
I have published academic papers on neural networks and marketing, sustainability and rankings.
Influence and debate
I am a recognised speaker and have presented to universities and governments across the world including at
GEEF 2023, hosted by the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, and at the UN High Level Political Forum as part of the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative.
In 2023 I gave a keynote at the Civil 20 Summit in Thiruvananthapuram, India.
C20 Keynote
Rankings PodcastSDGs and Impact
Projects and more
Outside work I've always sought opportunities to play an active role in my communities.
Here are a few of the significant projects and roles I've undertaken.
Birmingham City Councillor
From 1996 to 2000 I served as a Labour Councillor for Kings Norton in Birmingham. I was able to meet and interact with significant people within the Labour movement including Prime Ministers and other cabinet members. It also gave me a chance to meet the wonderful and sadly departed Paul Pyke.
Anyone who has been a Councillor knows that it involves highs and lows, but on the whole I did enjoy it, and I hope I made a positive difference to my constituents.
Kings Norton Farmers' Market
“Know ye, that we, graciously cherishing the common good and benefit of the inhabitants of Kings Norton…do give and grant… a market to be held and kept on Saturdays… Attested by the King at Westminster on the 15th May 1616”
The reborn Kings Norton Farmers Market was my first social enterprise. It was set up by myself, Paul Pyke, and John Bodycote, with help from a lot of other people. It still runs, every month, on the second Saturday on The Green in Kings Norton.
Visit the Market
St Nicholas' Place Kings Norton
"On 08 August 2004, Kings Norton’s medieval buildings won BBC Two’s television series Restoration after an intense and widely-supported campaign. It was an astonishing victory."
With only a few months between the campaign launch and the final this required a monumental effort. I acted as Press Officer for one of the shortest and most succesful campaigns ever, including focing the Daily Mail to give us three full pages of publicity.
Opening SNP
Government and Charity
In addition to founding DataKind UK and Kings Norton Farmers' Market, I have often found myself supporting not for profit ventures and national initiatives.
I was chair of Trustees for the Family Service Units charity - an organisation working with families and children across England and Scotland.
I was Chair of Governors for Primrose Hill Primary School in Birmingham, and was part of the UK Government's Open Data User Group.