Our core team brings exceptional expertise across higher education and beyond. We work with partners and associates to ensure that we meet the diverse needs of our clients, and to bring new and fresh perspectives.
Professor Sir Chris Husbands
Chris is a leading figure in UK higher education. He has led both research and teaching intensive universities, and played a key role in national policy, including chairing the Teaching Excellence Framework and the Higher Education Statistics Agency, and as Board member of Universities UK.
Chris is a frequent contributor to policy debate across a range of issues, and regularly participates in conferences and strategy events both in the UK and overseas.
Professor Janice Kay CBE
Janice is a highly-experienced academic leader with deep understanding of academic operating models, strategic change and restructuring. She was Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Exeter University for over 20 years. She has held significant national roles including with Advance HE, Teaching Excellence Framework, and chairs the University Maths Schools Network.
Janice is a regular contributor to debate on student experience and outcomes, including use of digital technologies and Gen AI.
Richard Calvert
Richard is an experienced Chief Operating Officer, with a background in policy and strategy development. After spending much of his career in Whitehall, Richard worked in higher education as a COO and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, leading substantial operating model redesign, as well as campus redevelopment and portfolio diversification.
Nationally, Richard led the establishment of the Civic University Network. An experienced coach and mentor, Richard also contributes to sector debate on policy and operating models.
Linda Mason
Linda is an experienced Professional Services Director with a background in higher education strategy and planning. Linda has established and led high performing teams working on strategy development and implementation, performance and risk management, governance, and compliance.
Most recently Linda worked as Programme Director for the Sheffield Hallam London campus development taking the programme from initial idea, through full strategic business case and into programme implementation.
Our Approach
We’ll support you to navigate complexity, identify key choices and map out clear strategies for future success. Drawing on our extensive experience of leading and managing at the highest level, we will help you focus on delivery, ensuring concrete outcomes that make a real difference. Our approach is built around a set of clear principles which enable you to deliver change:
Our Services
Strategy Development
Drawing on our experience of leadership and policy development, we work with you to help you make the right choices for your organisation’s future
Student Outcomes and Teaching Quality
Drawing on our leadership of the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), we work with you to build policies, cultures and practices.
Building Capability and Shaping Culture
We support individual leaders to grow and develop, and help build the performance of executive and senior teams.
Innovation and New Developments
We support you in designing, developing and delivering innovation and new models of delivery.
Policy Insight and System Change
We offer analysis and insight at both sectoral and local level, identifying trends, policy choices and providing advice on routes to success.
We tailor our approach and our offer to your needs
If you’d like to talk to us, or learn more about what we offer, contact us through enquiries@higherfutures.co.uk