Meet the team

Professor Koen Lamberts

Professor Lamberts is a cognitive psychologist with an extensive track record in experimental and theoretical research on human perception and memory, for which he has been awarded prizes from the Experimental Psychology Society and the British Psychological Society.

Professor Robert Mokaya OBE

Working closely with the President and Vice-Chancellor, Robert has the responsibility of delivering a number of the University's key aims and priorities in the region, nationally and internationally.

Professor Mary Vincent

Vice-President for Education

Mary's role is to ensure excellence and innovation in teaching and learning for all students, including undergraduate, postgraduate, overseas students and those studying for University of Sheffield qualifications overseas.

Professor Sue Hartley OBE

Vice-President for Research & Innovation

Sue leads on the University’s research and innovation activity, including research excellence, University Research Centres, Research Excellence Framework (REF), research income and impact, as well as overseeing the University’s innovation, partnerships, and commercialisation activities. 

Professor Susan Fitzmaurice

Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Professor Fitzmaurice has been at the University since 2006 and has been in the role of Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities since 2019. Susan holds a Chair of English Language in the School of English and was previously Head of the School.

Professor Conchúr Ó Brádaigh

Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Engineering

Conchúr is an elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Material, Minerals and Mining and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He is also President of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) Europe.  He joined the University as the Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Engineering in 2023 from Edinburgh where he was Head of the School of Engineering.

Professor Tracey Moore

Interim Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Health

Professor Tracey Moore joined the University in 1995, following a clinical nursing career in adult acute and critical care. Tracey’s interests are in the assessment and management of acute patient deterioration, and her Doctoral study explored why nurses fail to respond to, and effectively rescue deteriorating patients. Tracey has consulted globally on education and training for nurses supporting patients with acute deterioration.

Professor John Derrick

Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Science

John graduated with a degree in Mathematics from the University of Nottingham, before taking his DPhil in Oxford. From 1990 to 2005 he worked at the University of Kent at Canterbury then moved to Sheffield in 2005. He was Head of the Department of Computer Science between 2009 and 2015. In 2015 he was appointed to the post of Deputy PVC for Research and Innovation. John joined the Faculty of Science in November 2017.

Professor Ruth Blakeley

Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Social Sciences

Ruth joined the University in 2017 as Professor of Politics and International Relations. Her research focuses on state violence and human rights. She has served as Director of the White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership, Head of Department of Politics and IR, and Social Sciences Faculty Director of Research and Innovation. She was appointed as Vice-President and Head of Faculty of Social Sciences in June 2024.

Joanne Jones

Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Joanne oversees the Finance and Commercial Services Group, comprising: Finance & Commercial and Accommodation and Commercial Services. Joanne is responsible for developing and implementing dynamic and future-focussed financial strategies to support the University's aims, whilst maintaining sound financial oversight and administration in managing the University's financial affairs.

Rob Sykes

Chief Operating Officer

Rob provides strategic and operational leadership to a broad range of services, ensuring alignment with the delivery of the University's strategic ambitions, including: Student and Academic Services; Research, Partnerships and Innovation; IT Services; Estates and Facilities Management; Strategic Planning and Change; Marketing, Admissions, Recruitment and Communications; Global Engagement; Library Services; Campaign and Alumni Relations; and Faculty Operations.

Ian Wright

Director of Human Resources

As Director of Human Resources, Ian has leadership responsibility for people management policy, practice and development at the University. He leads a comprehensive HR function providing operational support to all areas of the University as well as specialist expertise in recruitment, reward and organisation development (OD). Ian also has executive responsibility for the Occupational Health & Safety Department.

David Swinn

Interim University Secretary

As Interim University Secretary, David works to ensure the highest standards of governance in liaison with the Chair of Council, President and Vice-Chancellor, University Executive Board members and Professional Services Directors.

Also in attendance:

Matthew Borland
Secretary to the UEB, Interim Head of Governance

Emily Allan
Minute Secretary to the UEB, Senior Governance Officer

Dr Edward Smith
Minute Secretary to the UEB, Senior Governance Officer

Kate Sullivan
Minute Secretary to the UEB, Senior Governance Officer