King’s Award Celebration & Leader Symposium

Featured speakers

• 

  Stuart Smith

  MA, BA (Hons)

  Chief Executive Officer, NCUK

  Stuart is an international higher education leader with extensive experience in university strategy, transnational education and global partnerships. Before joining NCUK as Chief Executive in 2021, he held senior roles across UK universities and private education providers. He leads NCUK’s strategy to expand international access to university education.

• 

  Brad Johnson

  MSc, BA (Hons)

  Commercial Operations Director, NCUK

  Brad’s higher education experience spans student recruitment, communications, university progression and strategic operations, including roles at the University of Hertfordshire and NCUK. His expertise combines international student engagement and conversion with insight into student decision-making, supported by postgraduate research into how students choose the UK for university study.

• 

  Ruth Jones

  MA, PGCert, BSc (Hons)

  Deputy Chief Academic Officer, NCUK

  Ruth has more than 20 years’ experience in international higher education, spanning student support, university progression and academic quality. She provides strategic leadership across NCUK’s quality assurance, assessment and registry functions, and chairs the UCAS International Advisory Group, contributing to the development of international admissions and student pathways.

• 

  Suzanne Bartlett

  MA, BA (Hons)

  Chief Academic Officer, NCUK

  Suzanne is an international education specialist with expertise in academic management, course design, assessment and university partnerships. Since joining NCUK in 2015, she has worked across academic provision and university progression, bringing a detailed understanding of how pathway programmes prepare international students for success in higher education.

• 

  Ben Bilverstone

  MBA, BA (Hons)

  Executive Director, Future Students, NCUK

  Ben is an international student recruitment specialist with experience across university and education agency environments. His expertise spans recruitment strategy, student conversion and global partnerships, combining data-led planning with an understanding of student ambitions. At NCUK, he supports international students in accessing and progressing through university pathways.

• 

  Néstor Torres

  MBA, BSc (Hons)

  Chief Marketing Officer, NCUK

  Néstor leads NCUK’s marketing function within the international higher education sector. His role centres on communicating NCUK’s university pathway opportunities to prospective students and education partners, supporting the organisation’s visibility and engagement across its global network.

• 

  Holly Searson

  MBA

  Head of University Partnerships, NCUK

  Holly specialises in higher education partnerships, institutional engagement and business development. She leads NCUK’s university partnerships activity, developing relationships that expand progression opportunities for international students. Her work connects university recruitment priorities with students’ academic ambitions, helping strengthen access to a diverse range of degree destinations.

• 

  Andrew Straughan

  BA (Hons)

  Business Development Director, NCUK

  Andrew has more than a decade’s experience developing international higher education partnerships at NCUK. His expertise spans transnational education, market development and expanding university pathway provision, including across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. He works with education institutions and government partners to create sustainable routes into international higher education.

• 

  Mrs Diane Hawkins JP LLB

  His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester

Further speakers to be announced.