Stay connected, stay inspired! GuildHE's dynamic networks pulse with activity, connecting you with peers at least twice a year online. But the real magic happens face-to-face – we bring our communities together for at least one in-person gathering each academic year, sparking collaboration and igniting new ideas.
Our network events are a can't-miss experience, featuring insightful guest speakers from across the higher education landscape and group workshop opportunities to help you roll up your sleeves and solve challenges collaboratively.
On top of these, our nimble special interest groups (or SIGs, as we like to call them) convene as needed, ensuring focused discussions on critical topics. And because knowledge is power, we share comprehensive notes, presentations, and other resources after every meeting, keeping the conversation going.
Ready to lead? Members of each network nominate their Chairs – the driving forces who partner with GuildHE staff to craft compelling agendas and guide vibrant discussions. These influential voices also contribute directly to key consultations and may even represent GuildHE on external and national committees, amplifying our collective impact. The time commitment? Just around 5 voluntary hours a year prior to meetings – a small investment for a big return. Become a leader, shape the conversation, and make a real difference in higher education.
For more information on all our networks, click below.
Operations, Regulation and Governance
Clerks to the Board
We empower clerks of governing bodies to drive improvements in board effectiveness. Our 2021-22 initiatives included a member survey on governance, a joint project with AdvanceHE exploring inclusive board cultures, and focused work on the evolving landscape of academic governance.
Contact: Dr Kate Wicklow, Angellique Woolery
Chair: Ellie Smith, University Secretary, Buckinghamshire New University
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
We've been working alongside our members on their journey toward becoming anti-racist universities and organisations. Acknowledging the ongoing nature of this work, we're now broadening our EDI support to include all facets of equality within member institutions. This reflects the growing importance of intersectionality in EDI work. As part of this expansion, we produce briefings on emerging themes like trans rights, the experiences of LGBT+ staff, and neurodivergence.
Contact: Ellen Graves
Chair: Zahara Chowdhury, EDI Business Partner, Buckinghamshire New University
Human Resources
Through this network, we create a wider, more expansive peer network for HR professionals working across our community. It incorporates regular updates from UCEA and other sector bodies as necessary.
Contact: Angellique Woolery
Chair: Giosi Birkett, Director of HR, Birmingham Newman University
Marketing and Communications
Meeting up to 3 times annually, this group focuses on strategic marketing and communications initiatives within the higher education sector, relevant to our GuildHE community.
Contact: Tara McNicholas
Policy and Planning
Stay ahead of the curve in policy, registry and planning. This network connects member institution staff, meeting twice a year and providing real-time updates via its mailing list. Engage in discussions on critical policy issues, navigate regulatory changes and address data challenges. The OfS, HESA, JISC and OIA regularly attend these events.
Contact: Dr Kate Wicklow
Chair: Dr Robin Kirby, Registrar & Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Arts University Plymouth
Quality Management
Stay up-to-date on quality assurance and connect with fellow quality leaders. This network, meeting up to 3 times a year, provides a forum for heads of quality to discuss critical topics, including grade inflation, degree algorithms, and Quality Code reforms.
Contact: Dr Kate Wicklow
Chair: Jon Renyard, Director for Student Experience, Arts University Bournemouth
Student Experience
Admissions
We regularly invite speakers from UCAS to this forum for admissions leaders in our member institutions to help their own planning and admissions practices. This network meets 3 times a year.
Contact: Sunday Blake
Chair: Rachel Fowkes, Admissions Manager, Leeds Arts University
Learning and Teaching
Stay informed on the latest in learning and teaching. This network connects Directors of L&T and other senior managers responsible for curriculum and pedagogy. It shares updates on important work, including collaborations with AdvanceHE.
Contact: Sunday Blake
Chair: Professor Helen King, Director of Learning Innovation, Development and Skills, Bath Spa University
Librarians
Access resources, share best practices and connect with peers: this network is designed for library and information staff at our member institutions. Join the conversation!
Contact: Ellen Graves
Chair: Laura Lay, University Librarian, Falmouth University
Student Support
Join a community of student support professionals. This network meets up to 3 times a year, providing a forum to discuss the diverse challenges and opportunities in ensuring your students can thrive.
Contact: Ellen Graves
Chair: Lesley Worsfold, Vice Principal – Resources, Hartpury University
Students' Unions
This network meets regularly to provide a space for elected student officials and SU staff to network and discuss issues which affect smaller students’ unions. It regularly works collaboratively with the Quality Network and guests from NUS.
Contact: TBC
Widening Participation
Connect with colleagues working on all things widening access at their institutions. Share approaches to and lessons learned from developing and delivering your Access and Participation Plans. This network, meeting 3 times a year, brings together all those responsible for WP and APPs.
Contact: Sunday Blake
Chair: Professor Ross Renton, Principal, ARU Peterborough
Growth and Skills
Skills
Want to be at the forefront of skills policy? This network brings together members to discuss apprenticeships, the LLE, regional skills partnerships and other key skills-related policy areas.
Contact: Dana Gamble
Chair: Nichola Hay MBE, Director of Apprenticeship Strategy and Policy, BPP University
Knowledge Exchange, Innovation and Place
Drive national policy discussions around knowledge exchange, innovation and regional development. This network, meeting 3 times a year with additional drop-ins and workshops, connects senior leaders in knowledge exchange and innovation to tackle critical issues like innovation funding, data collection for knowledge exchange and regional collaboration. We collaborate closely with GuildHE Research colleagues.
Contact: Dana Gamble
Chair: Mhairi Ambler, Head of Knowledge Exchange and Impact, Falmouth University
International
Access expert insights on international education policy. This network connects members with updates from our collaborations with UUK International, the Home Office, UKCISA and other organisations influential in international activity.
Contact: Dana Gamble
Chair: Dr Esther Wilkinson, Associate Director, Business Development, Royal Agricultural University
Subjects
Creative arts
This network (fondly referred to as GuildHE Creative) is a revamped version of UKADIA, designed to be more inclusive of all our creative arts specialist institutions. This network drives problem-solving and GuildHE's policy thinking when it comes to creative education. Because this network offers a vital forum for tackling today's challenges of providing excellent creative arts specialist provision, membership to this goes beyond GuildHE members to include:
- Ravensbourne University London
- Royal College of Art
- University of the Arts London
- University for the Creative Arts
- Winchester School of Art
Contact: Kate Wicklow
Chair: Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Arts University Plymouth
Teacher education
As sector leaders in teacher education, we host the secretariat for the Teacher Education Advisory Group (TEAG), a joint GuildHE/UUK initiative to bring together leaders of HE institutions focused on teacher training. This group meets quarterly, includes a range of institutions from both GuildHE and UUK membership, and includes representatives from DfE, Ofsted, and UCET regularly.
Contact: Dana Gamble
Chair: Professor Jackie Dunne, Vice Chancellor, Birmingham Newman University
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Chief Operating Officers
Lead the way in higher education administration! This exclusive network empowers heads of administration, Registrars, COOs and other top university leaders to tackle today and tomorrow's challenges and opportunities.
Contact: Dr Kate Wicklow
Data Managers
Did someone say Data Futures? This forum collects those HE professionals working on improving, streamlining or managing data collections across a wide range of functions.
Contact: Dr Kate Wicklow
Environmental Sustainability
We are refreshing the GuildHE Environmental Sustainability Network and we're inviting expressions of interest from members who would like to be involved.
Whether sustainability is a formal part of your role or a professional interest, this is a space to connect with peers across GuildHE institutions, share challenges, and develop practical, collaborative solutions. The network will bring together staff from across GuildHE member institutions to explore key environmental topics, including:
- Supporting sustainability in specialist and small institutions
- Embedding climate action into curriculum and operations
- Sharing real-world challenges and low-cost solutions
- Navigating regulatory change from OfS, EAUC, and others
The network will officially launch in early Autumn. There is no commitment required at this stage - just a chance to express interest and stay up to date as the network develops. In the meantime, GuildHE is planning to hold an environmental sustainability drop-in session on Monday 28 July from 2:00 - 2:30pm to give members opportunity to participate in initial peer exchange.
- To participate in the drop-in session, please email Omoye Otoide, Policy Programmes Officer by Monday 14 July
- To register early interest in the network more broadly, please contact Omoye by Friday 22 August
Our 2021-22 work included a member survey on key sustainability elements and a joint project with EAUC to advance climate action across our institutions.
Contact: Omoye Otoide
Chair: TBC
Finance
Connect with your peers and build a powerful network of higher education finance professionals. Share insights, collaborate on solutions, and learn from the best in the field while helping to shape GuildHE's advocacy on the sector's financial sustainability.
Contact: Mark Taylor