About Chris
Chris has a degree in Physical Geography from the University of Newcastle, a doctorate in climate modelling from the University of Southampton, a postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies from the Open University and a Professorship from the University of Chester.
Following a period working in industry with the UK British Coal Corporation where he held various appointments including Deputy Director of Environmental Management, Deputy Head of Corporate Relations, and then successively the Deputy Chairman’s and Chairman’s Personal Private Secretary, Chris worked at the University of Wolverhampton in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office as the Head of Strategic and Academic Development.
Following a period working for the Higher Education Quality Council, Chris was appointed a Deputy Director at the Quality Assurance Agency. In addition to institutional auditing duties, between 1998 and 2006 Chris had responsibility for managing the Agency’s extensive work for the UK Government relating to the grant of degree-awarding powers, university title and higher education institution designation. In this capacity, Chris drafted both the 1998 and 2004 UK Government criteria governing the grant of degree-awarding powers and university title and oversaw the provision of advice to Government Ministers. In this capacity, he was appointed as a specialist advisor to the New Zealand Government in relation to the development of the country’s higher education sector.
Between 2006 and 2020, Chris was the Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Chester and had responsibility for business planning and performance management, managing the University’s seven academic faculties, student support and guidance services, careers and employability, quality and standards assurance, and UK and international student Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions. He also acted as the Executive Dean of the University’s Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences with oversight of the Departments of Sports and Exercise Sciences, Biological Sciences, Clinical Sciences and Nutrition, a Food Sciences research centre, and the School of Medicine.
Whilst at Chester, Chris was Chairman of the UK North West Universities European Unit, a member of the Governing bodies at University College Isle of Man, West Cheshire College and Vale Royal College and also acted as an external adviser on the Maltese Government’s Quality and Standards Assurance Committee. He was also a member of the RNCM’s Academic Board.
Chris is currently a higher education consultant and has undertaken work in the UK, Malta, the Middle East and South East Asia.