Vice-Chancellor's Executive

Professor James A. Miller FRSE was appointed as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of University of the West of Scotland (UWS) in November 2022.  
  
Beginning his career as a clinical nurse in Edinburgh, Professor Miller is the first nurse to be appointed as a University Principal and Vice-Chancellor in Scotland – bringing a wealth of experience, values and vision closely aligned  with that of UWS. 

Professor Miller has also held a series of roles in healthcare, including Deputy Director of Nursing for West Lothian Healthcare Trust and Divisional General Manager in South Glasgow University Hospital NHS Trust. 
  
After completing his registration at North Lothian College of Nursing and Midwifery in 1986, Professor Miller undertook a post registration degree at what is now Abertay University. He also has an MBA from Edinburgh Napier University,  a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and is an alumnus of Harvard University’s Institute of Education Management.  
  
Professor Miller has been a visiting lecturer at four Scottish universities, teaching on undergraduate and Masters programmes in nursing, healthcare management and clinical leadership. He has published in peer-reviewed national and international  journals on a range of clinical and management issues in healthcare and is a regular reviewer for several journals. 
  
Professor Miller was Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University from August 2015 to November 2022 and previously held a range of other senior roles, including Director of the Open University in Scotland and Chief Executive  of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a member of the International Advisory Board for the Amity University Group in India, and was a founder member of the British Council’s Digital  Advisory Board.  
  
In 2023, James was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. James also serves on the boards of The Carnegie Trust for Universities in Scotland; The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice and the University and College Admissions  Service (UCAS). Professor Miller was elected as the convener of Universities Scotland’s International Committee and took up the role in August 2024.

Robert joined the University in October 2024 from Northumbria University, where he was Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business and Law. Robert is responsible for the leadership and management of research and innovation across the University and, on an interim basis as Deputy Vice-Chancellor has oversight of the four schools that comprise UWS.

With a PhD in engineering and a track record of research in the field of strategic management, Robert has published 10 books and over 100 articles. He is a co-investigator on the UKRI-funded EDI Caucus and has held senior positions at Heriot-Watt University, University of Glasgow, and University of Strathclyde. He previously served as Chair of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, was formerly Chair of the social care charity, Turning Point Scotland, and is currently a board member at Revenue Scotland.

Rachel joined the university in January 2024 from Buckinghamshire New University where she was Senior PVC Education and Digital. Alongside her rich experience in senior leadership roles at the University of Central Lancashire and the Open University, Rachel enjoyed a decade working in Police Professional Development, having been instrumental in the development and launch of the world’s first professional body for policing; The College of Policing.

Having begun her academic career as a social and economic geographer Rachel now has a keen interest the role universities play in in providing access to education for all and the particular importance of providing technical and vocational education. She has published on culture, change and community in higher education.

Marcus has worked in higher education for more than 20 years across a number of professional disciplines, predominantly linked to marketing, covering areas such as organisational strategy and performance, PR, publishing, research, student recruitment, Public Affairs, fundraising, alumni, international marketing and events. In recent years, he has also led services such as Estates and Commercial Services, as well as various corporate level projects, in addition to the marketing and communications portfolio.

Marcus was also Programme Director for the development of the University’s Lanarkshire Campus – leading the team that delivered the award-winning £110 million campus, which is now widely recognised as one of Scotland’s most innovative and flexible higher education learning environments. As Vice-Principal (Planning and Recruitment), Marcus has Executive responsibility for Strategic Planning, Marketing, Student Recruitment, London Campus and the Programme Management Office. Marcus is also Executive sponsor for the University’s campuses in Ayr and Dumfries.

Archie has more than 25 years’ experience in a variety of management and leadership roles and has led finance functions within a number of large and complex organisations. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Archie trained in Dundee before gaining significant operational experience across the education, utilities, financial services and transport sectors.

Archie has been with UWS since March 2020, previously as Director of Finance. Archie has Executive responsibility for Finance, Campus Services (Estates, Maintenance, Halls of Residence, Catering and Commercial), Information Services (IT and Libraries) and Internal Audit.

As Vice-Principal (Governance) and the University Secretary, Donna heads the Court and Senate Office and has Executive responsibility for corporate governance as the Secretary to the Court and academic governance as the Secretary to Senate, as well as leading on Legal Services and Risk and Resilience.

The Vice-Principal (Governance) and University Secretary ensures the University meets its legislative and regulatory responsibilities, oversees all constitutional and ceremonial matters for the University, including arrangements for the Chancellor, and promotes the history and heritage of the Institution. With significant experience in higher education, Donna has previously led on institutional Quality Assurance and Enhancement, Health and Safety and Registry.

Fiona’s career started in hospitality, where her first role was with the hotels owned by Chelsea Football Club. Having worked for Chelsea Village, Hilton and Radisson hotel groups, Fiona moved into hospitality management and leadership roles where her interest in human resources grew. After becoming part CIPD qualified, Fiona moved into her first HR role at a hotel in Belfast, before completing her MSc in Human Resource Management at Edinburgh Napier University and moving to The Blythswood Square Hotel as the pre-opening HR Manager.

After leaving the hospitality sector, Fiona has gained a wealth of HR experience in the UK and globally prior to joining UWS in September 2021. Holding an MSc in Human Resource Management, Fiona is a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has been a successful HR leader in a range of management roles across the private and public sectors, joining UWS in 2021 as Head of HR, before progressing to Executive Director in 2022 and then Vice-Principal (People & Student Wellbeing) in 2023.

Outside of work, Fiona has a young son who keeps her busy and she enjoys running and swimming regularly.

Before joining University of the West of Scotland, Stephanie was Glasgow Caledonian University’s Director of Recruitment and Admissions and Director of the University’s London campus. At GCU, Stephanie’s role included leadership of various international functions and partnerships, student support and administration.

Stephanie was also previously Head of Admissions at Regent’s University London, where she delivered leadership, driving improvements in the applicant student journey and increases in student recruitment numbers.

At UWS, Stephanie, who began her career in international student recruitment, is responsible for developing a cohesive, University-wide approach to all aspects of internationalisation, with a particular focus on developing a new Transnational Education (TNE) strategy for the University. As well as bringing a new strategic focus to TNE, Stephanie works with the Deans of the University’s four academic Schools to drive internationalisation, through enhancing the curriculum and student experience.