University Council and Committee members

Professor Bob Cryan CBE DL CMgr CCMI FREng, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

Professor Bob Cryan CBE was appointed to his first Professorial Chair at the age of 30 and at the time he was the youngest Professor of Engineering in the UK. He then went on to become the youngest Vice-Chancellor in the UK when he took up his post at his hometown University, the University of Huddersfield, in January 2007, a University that now has over 22,000 students from over 120 countries. Bob holds two first class honours degrees (Engineering, Mathematics), an MBA and two doctorates (PhD, DSc) and he is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering Technology and a Fellow of the

Higher Education Academy. Bob is a Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire and in 2013 he was awarded The Guardian Inspiring Leader Award. In 2014 he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours and made a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute. In 2015 he received The Daily Telegraph Educate North Inspiring Leader Award and was included in the group of 50 World leading Engineers appointed as Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He was president of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) in 2022-23

Bob is proud to be a graduate of the University and to have had first-hand experience of the life-changing potential and the tremendous support that Huddersfield offers its students.

After graduating with a first class honours in engineering from Huddersfield, Bob went on to complete a British Telecom-sponsored part-time PhD programme, whilst working as a lecturer at Huddersfield.

In 1992 he was appointed Director of the Centre for Communications Systems Research at Manchester Metropolitan University. He was appointed to a Personal Chair, and Head of the Department of Electrical, Electronic Engineering & Physics at Northumbria University in 1994.

In 1996 he was appointed Head of the School of Engineering at Northumbria University. He moved to the University of Wales, Swansea in 1999 to be Chair of Electrical & Electronic Engineering. He also held the Siemens Chair of Communications and the post of Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.

In 2002 he returned to Northumbria University as Pro Vice-Chancellor, becoming Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 2005, with responsibilities including both teaching and research.

Bob believes that teaching should be underpinned by research and he is an active researcher who has co-authored over 200 publications.

Bob is tremendously proud of the University and has ambitious plans for it, particularly around research, postgraduate provision and internationalisation. With the support of his senior team, Bob has built the University’s future strategy around being an inspiring, innovative University of international renown.

Bob is delighted that the hard work of the University’s staff and students is being recognised through many awards including: Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) Gold, Ofsted Outstanding for apprenticeship provision in 2022,  the Higher Education Academy’s first ever Global Teaching Excellence award in 2017, a Queen's Anniversary Prize (2015, 2019 & 2021); The Daily Telegraph Educate North New University of the Year 2015/16; the Times Higher University of the Year 2013/14; the Queen’s Award for Enterprise (International Trade) 2013 and 2022; and the Times Higher Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2012/13.

Ms Alison Jones

Alison joined the University in January 2020 and has worked in professional higher education administration, leadership and management for over 25 years. Alison leads the University’s governance, legal and health and safety service provision and, as well as managing those executive functions, she is the independent source of advice and guidance to University Council.
Prior to joining the University, Alison worked at Oxford Brookes University, the University of Bradford and Leeds Beckett University, leading on governance, legal services, strategic and operational planning and organisational programme management and change.

Alison is the former Chair of the Higher Education Strategic Planners Association (HESPA) and has worked on a number of sector-wide projects and initiatives. She holds a BA (Hons) in Literature and Philosophy and a Masters in Strategic Decision Making, specialising in research and analysis into University governance structures and decision making following the publication of the Dearing Report. Alison is also a Chartered Manager with the CMI.

Mr Jonathan Thornton

Mr Thornton currently advises businesses in Yorkshire and is Chairman of a small pharmaceutical development company. He is also a Trustee of several charities. Previously he has been Chairman of Thornton & Ross, a Healthcare Manufacturing Group, and was Vice-President of Euralliance Pharma. He was appointed to the University Council in July 2006 and was Chair of the Audit Committee from August 2012 to May 2018. Mr Thornton became Vice-Chair of Council in August 2018 and subsequently was appointed as Chair of Council with effect from August 2019.

Baroness Pinnock of Cleckheaton

Baroness Pinnock was elected as a Councillor for the Cleckheaton ward in 1987 and has served the Cleckheaton community as its Councillor ever since. She served as Leader of Kirklees Council from 2000 to 2006 and was also the leader of the Kirklees Liberal Democrat Councillors from 1991 to 2014. Baroness Pinnock was appointed to the University Council with effect from August 2016 and elected Vice-Chair of Council in August 2019.

Mr Bernard Ainsworth OBE

A leading figure in the construction industry, Bernard Ainsworth is regarded as the 'ultimate' project manager and has been responsible for leading teams in the construction of many famous buildings, including the iconic London Shard and the Millennium Dome, and it was for this latter project that he was awarded his OBE. He then held a number of N.E.D. and advisory roles on a series of national Projects including HS2, Hinckley Point Nuclear station and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.  Mr Ainsworth was appointed to the University’s Estates Development Committee in August 2017 and became a member of University Council with effect from August 2019.

Mr Robert Cox

Mr Cox is a retired Chartered Accountant and former Finance Director of AQA Education. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and has held a number of Finance Director roles across a range of industries. Mr Cox is also a governor and member of the Audit Committee of and formerly had a role in a FE college. He was appointed to University Council with effect from August 2018 and has been a member of the Audit Committee since March 2013.

Bishop Smitha Prasadam

Smitha’s appointment as Bishop of Huddersfield has meant a welcome return to Yorkshire, having previously studied English Literature and Linguistics at the College of Ripon and York St John (University of Leeds). 

"It’s so good to be serving the people of God’s own county,” said Smitha, who has come to us from Copenhagen, where she served the Anglican Church in Denmark since 2018.
 “This is where I came as a student and began my journey so it holds a special place in my heart. I'm excited to be working together with colleagues in parishes and communities throughout Kirklees and Calderdale to encourage people in confident discipleship, and joining with cultural, educational, commercial and inter-faith partners to support this wonderful place and its people in common cause." 

Born into the Church of South India, Smitha and her family then moved to the Anglican Church in Wales. Both her parents were pioneer mission partners with the Church Missionary Society, and her mother was the first Indian woman ordained in the UK. 

Smitha and her family have lived in different places across the UK: “Home is anywhere and everywhere and hospitality both at the Lord’s table and the kitchen table makes me happy!” 

As Bishop's Adviser, Smitha initiated the Racial Justice Working Group in the Diocese of Europe.  As a member of the Archbishop's Transformations Steering Group she championed women's vocational pathways for flourishing.

Smitha is passionate about liturgy which breathes life into ancient texts so that they can be heard with new meaning and relevance.  

She is known for mission and partnership with children and young people in schools.

She has served as Bishop's Racial Justice Adviser, Vocations Adviser and Chair of the House of Clergy in the Diocese in Europe, and as a member of the General Synod, St John's College Council Durham, and FGPSC.  She is Chair of the Anglican Minority Ethnic Network (AMEN) and Vice-Chair of the Liturgical Commission.

Bishop Smitha was appointed to the University Council in March 2024.

Professor Isobel Pollock-Hulf OBE

Professor Pollock-Hulf continues to be an active volunteer member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and is currently chairing the Nominations Committee and the Pension Board. She was the 127th President of the Institution in 2012. In June 2014, Professor Pollock-Hulf was awarded an OBE for services to mechanical engineering. She was appointed to the University Council in March 2015.

Mr Ajaz Ahmed BEM

Ajaz Ahmed is an entrepreneur best known for founding Freeserve, the UK's first big internet company. Launched in 1998, Freeserve entered the FTSE 100 in 2000 and was acquired by France Telecom for £1.65bn in 2001.

Ajaz is included in the 'Yorkshire Business Power 100.' He occasionally writes a column for the trade publication 'Retail Week' and is the Chairman of the digital agency Quba. The Queen awarded him a 'British Empire Medal' BEM.

Ajaz was appointed to the University Council on 1st August 2021.

Clare Morrow is the Chair of the Board at the Bettys and Taylors Group in Harrogate, which makes Yorkshire Tea, Taylors of Harrogate tea and coffee, and has five iconic cafe tea rooms across Yorkshire.
She is the Chair of Hollybank Trust, a charity based in Mirfield, which provides residential care and education for children and adults with multiple and profound learning disabilities.
Clare is also Chair of the Yorkshire and North East Film Archive, a small charity which preserves and makes available to the public moving images captured by film makers across the two regions over the past century.
Clare had a 25 year career as a journalist, executive producer and senior manager, working in newspapers, radio and television for both the BBC and ITV.
Previous non-executive roles include the Chair of Welcome to Yorkshire, a director of the Rugby Football League and a director of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. She was also a Trustee at both the Leeds Playhouse and Sheffield Theatres.

Clare was appointed to the University Council in August 2022.

Mrs Sally Baines

Sally is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and worked in human resources and organisational development roles within the NHS for over 30 years. Sally is an executive coach for senior leaders in the NHS and also works independently to provide a range of transformation, human resource and leadership development interventions primarily in the NHS.

She has been a trustee of Mental Health Matters, a national mental health charity providing a range of psychological and social support services to those with mental health conditions for 5 years and has been the Chair of MHM since October 2021.

Sally was appointed to the University Council in July 2023.

Mr Rhys Davies

Mr Davies is a portfolio non-executive director (NED) of several organisations, primarily in West Yorkshire. He has recently become a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen. His director roles are at Immersify Education (Chair); Airedale NHS Foundation Trust (NED); Sovereign Health Care Limited (Senior Independent Director); British Wool Marketing Board (Independent NED); a governor of Bradford Grammar School; and serves on the Members’ Committee of the Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club; and is a founder member of the Ilkley Clean River Group.
Mr Davies has extensive experience of leading IT functions and change programmes having held the roles of Chief Information Officer, IT Director, and Chairman across a range of business sectors including higher education and research, retail, technology, leisure and health data. He is known for creating innovative and transformative business solutions, some of which have been world firsts. He was appointed to University Council with effect from 14 February 2019 and is also a member of the Audit Committee.

Mr Krish Pilicudale 

Mr Pilicudale is Director of Digital Information and responsible for the University’s Computing and Library Services. Mr Pilicudale was appointed to the University’s Council Committee in November 2020.

Mr Wamick Aijaz – SU President 

Wamick graduated with a degree in Business Management, during which he completed a placement as an Administrative Assistant, gaining valuable experience in organizational operations. Following graduation, Wamick stepped into the role of Equity Officer, where he worked to promote diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities within the Huddersfield University.

Currently, Wamick serves as the President of Huddersfield Students' Union, representing the student body and advocating for their needs and interests. In addition to this, Wamick hold key leadership positions as both Trustee and Director of Hudlets and the Students' Union, while also serving as Chair of Hudlets’ Board, guiding the organization’s strategic decisions and operations. Wamick is deeply committed to fostering a supportive and equitable environment for students at Huddersfield.

Sally Crosland

Sally is a current PhD researcher in Psychology, focusing on female perpetrators of violent crime. After completing her BSc, Sally spent a number of years working in retail management, before returning to the University to complete the MSc in Investigative Psychology. Combining her previous experience with her doctoral research has allowed Sally to undertake project work, run events and develop opportunities for postgraduates. Sally draws on her experience, and that of her fellow members of the postgraduate researcher (PGR) community, to inform her role as the PGR representative on the University Council. Sally was appointed to the University Council in November 2023.

Mr Paul Leigh

Paul Leigh is a Chartered Accountant and has over 25 years senior financial leadership experience in the Education sector, including Chief Financial Officer roles in multi academy trusts. He qualified in public practice and is passionate about how the role of finance can support leaders in delivering high quality education.
Mr Paul Leigh was appointed to Audit and Risk Committee in August 2022.

Mr Rob Kelly

Mr Kelly is a consultant solicitor at Holden Smith Law, having formerly been a partner at Schofield Sweeney LLP and a solicitor at Eversheds LLP. He is also a qualified chartered accountant having qualified with PWC. His previous finance roles include CFO of Minorplanet Systems plc, Group Finance Director and Deputy Group Managing Director of Kunick Leisure and European Finance Director for Caudwell Communications, based in Dusseldorf.

He is a non-executive director of Paxman A.B, a medical devices company whose shares are listed on NASDAQ First North.

Mr Kelly was appointed to the Audit and Risk Committee with effect from August 2016.

Dr Eastburn is the Acting Head of Department of Allied Health Professions, Sport and Exercise in the School of Human and Health Sciences. She joined the University of Huddersfield in November 2006 and her former roles at the University have included School Director of Academic Quality and Professional Governance. 

Dr Eastburn is a physiotherapist and a Chartered Manager (FCMI). Between 2015 and 2023, she held a Fitness to Practise partner role with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and she is an Appointed Governor on behalf of the University on the Council of Governors at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Eastburn is also a co-opted Governor and Vice Chair of Governors at Rowley Lane Junior, Infant and Nursery School and Newsome Junior School, both in Huddersfield.