Chair’s Update

As many of you will be aware, Phill Gray left York St John at the end of July to take on new challenges. On behalf of the LGBT Staff Network, I’d like to note our thanks to Phill for his tireless work in support of LGBT+ staff and students through the Network and Steering Group.

The role of Chair of the LGBT Staff Network is an elected position and, to coincide with our birthday celebrations in October, we’ll move to formally elect Phill’s successor. For now, I’ve offered to act as Interim Chair to serve the Network and Steering Group over the next couple of months.

I’ve met many of you in my role as Academic Registrar since I joined the University in April 2017. I am also the Professional Development Lead for the Academic Registrars’ Council (ARC) nationally. I have worked in higher education for almost twenty years including roles at the University of York, University of Southampton, Imperial College London and the University of Portsmouth.

I love working in higher education. I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to help support the transformative difference that education makes for our students, our society, and our world. Being able to be our authentic selves at work means that we can be at our best in supporting our students and the University’s mission. I believe that the LGBT Staff Network plays a critical role in supporting a culture where we, as LGBT+ staff, can feel able to bring our unique voice and identity to work.

In the coming months we’ll start to revisit our priorities and set out an action plan for the year ahead. I look forward to serving you through the Staff Network, and hope to see you for our birthday celebrations in October.