Board of Governors

Meet the Board of Governors

The Health Sciences University Board of Governors consists of 17 members; this includes a Chair of the Board who is an independent member, 11 other independent members, the Vice-Chancellor (ex officio), two Governors from the academic staff and two Governors from the Students’ Union.

Please find out more about the members of this group below.

Monika Barnes

Independent Governor

Monika joined the HSU Board in September 2021 and is Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors. She also Chairs the Governance and Nominations Committee and the Remuneration Committee.

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Jeni Bremner

Independent Governor

Jeni Bremner joined as an Independent Governor in October 2019 and in April 2020 became Chair of the Board of Governors.

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Andrew Broadfield

Independent Governor

Andy joined the Board as an Independent Governor in October 2023 and is a member of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.

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Professor Joy Conway

Independent Governor

Professor Joy Conway joined as an Independent Governor in October 2022 and sits on the People & Place Committee.

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Kim Frost

Independent Governor

Kim has been an Independent Governor since September 2021 and is Chair of the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee. He is also a member of the Governance & Nominations Committee.

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Dr Mark Gurden

Independent Governor

Mark is an independent member of the board and has been a Governor since 2011. He sits on the People & Place Committee.

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Professor Lesley Haig

D.PT, MSc, Grad Dip Phys, SFHEA

Professor Lesley Haig is Vice-Chancellor of Health Sciences University. As Chief Executive Officer, Lesley works in close consultation with the Board of Governors and Senior Members of University College staff, and with a wide range of internal and external constituencies to provide the personal and professional leadership to develop the institution in accordance with the strategy, directions and guidelines set by the Board.

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Daniel Heritage

Data Protection Officer & Staff Governor

Daniel is the University College's Data Protection Officer and supports the Senior Management Group in ensuring that it meets all Data Protection obligation. Daniel is also our lead Chiropractic Clinician responsible for the delivery of excellent patient care within our chiropractic service and ensures the safety of its patients, clinicians and students. He is committed to developing the chiropractic team, providing clinical leadership and operational management and ensuring students develop as practitioners, providing best care for their patients. Daniel joined the Board of Governors as a Staff Governor in June 2024.

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Barney Larkin

Independent Governor

Barney joined as an Independent Governor in October 2022 and is a member of the Finance & Performance Committee.

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Isobel Mitchell

SU President

Isobel was elected as SU President in 2025 and will serve a term as a Student Governor.

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Dr Claire Nadaf

Head of Engagement and Partnerships & Staff Governor

Claire is Head of Engagement and Partnerships at Health Sciences University. Her role involves driving the identification, development and management of innovative and profitable enterprise opportunities. Her focus is on developing and nurturing stakeholder engagement, alongside the development of new partnerships and enterprising activities. Claire joined the Board of Governors as a Staff Governor in March 2025.

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Nick Palmer

Independent Governor

Nick joined the board as an Independent Governor in October 2023 and is a member of the Finance and Performance Committee and Chairs the Digital Sub-Committee.

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Adrian Reyes-Hughes

Independent Governor

Adrian joined the HSU University Board as an Independent Governor in October 2023 and Chairs the People and Place Committee. He also sits on the Digital Sub-Committee.

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Greg Thornton

Independent Governor

Greg joined as Governor in June 2022 and is Deputy Chair of the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee.

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Peter Vandervelde

Independent Governor

Peter joined as an Independent Governor in September 2021 and is Chair of the Finance & Performance Committee as well as sitting on the Remuneration and Governance & Nominations Committees.

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Professor (Emeritus) Keith Wilkes

Independent Governor

Keith joined us as an Independent Governor in October 2019 and became the Senior Independent Governor in August 2023. He is a member of the Finance & Performance Committee.

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