Born in Swansea, south Wales, to Yorkshire parents, Nick studied at Olchfa Comprehensive School before earning a place at the University of Cambridge to read Natural Sciences including Psychology. He went on to complete his PhD at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Cognitive Science before taking up a British Academy Postdoctoral research fellowship at the London School of Economics.
Nick has a wealth of experience in higher education, working at institutions including London Guildhall University, The Open University, University of Winchester and the London South Bank University. At the University of West London (UWL), where he was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Experience), Nick led its work on education and student satisfaction and in 2017, was proud to be part of the team named Outstanding Leadership and Management Team at the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards. Most recently, Nick served as Vice-Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU), where he oversaw the following achievements:
- Successful organisational restructure.
- Dramatic increase in student numbers.
- Moved from financial fragility to financial strength.
- Significant improvements in national league table positions.
- Whatuni Student Choice Awards ‘Cost of Living’ award, 2023 for student support.
- Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Support, 2024.
- Top in the UK for student satisfaction, National Student Survey 2024.
- Shortlisted for Outstanding Estates Team and Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Times Higher Education Awards 2025.
- Shortlisted for Outstanding Support for Students, Times Higher Education Awards 2024.
Nick is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion. In 2021, he created the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman and Boater into Higher Education pledge scheme. Since its launch, the number of students from these communities entering higher education has more than trebled.
In the community
As Chair of the Board of Governors for Buckinghamshire University Technical College (now Aylesbury UTC), Nick was instrumental in saving it from closure and negotiating its successful transition into a multi-academy trust.
He also created the Bucks Health and Social Care Academy, which has transformed the health and social care landscape in the county and has served as a model for similar organisations, and, as Chair of Buckinghamshire’s Skills Strategy Board, he led the creation of the county’s first Skills and Employment Strategy.
In January 2025, Nick left Buckinghamshire New University to set up his own consultancy firm. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of West London in December 2025.
In his spare time, Nick enjoys gardening and travelling with his husband, Ian, a fellow psychologist.
Board and advisory roles
- Committee member at Universities UK.
- Served on the Executive Board of GuildHE.
- Served on the Governing Board of the Arc Universities Group.
- Advisory board for JISC (formerly the Joint Information Systems Committee), Universities UK and AdvanceHE.
- Trustee of the University of the Built Environment.
- Trustee of the National Educational Opportunities Network (NEON).
