Welcome to QAHE’s governance pages. Here you will find information about the Board, its committees, how we operate, and the responsibilities we hold in guiding and overseeing the organisation.
The Board is committed to supporting QAHE in delivering its mission to expand access to life‑changing education for all students, regardless of background, through deeply collaborative and innovative university partnerships. We work collectively to ensure strong stewardship, clear accountability, and a focus on long-term success, enabling QAHE to grow with purpose while maintaining the highest standards of quality and integrity.
Mary Curnock Cook, CBE,
Chair of the Board of Directors
QAHE Limited (QAHE) is a company registered in the UK with company number 11325201. QAHE is a higher education institution with a proud history of delivering education.
The Board of Directors is QAHE’s governing body and is responsible for overseeing the organisation and how it operates, ensuring that QAHE meets all legal and regulatory requirements, including the Conditions of Registration set by the Office for Students.
To view meeting dates for the Board of Directors and its committees, including the Audit and Risk Committee, Finance and Resources Committee, Remuneration and Nominations Committee, and Academic Board, please click here.
Led by our Chair, Mary Curnock Cook, CBE, the Board works closely with the Executive Team to set the organisation’s direction and provide constructive challenge. The interests and success of our students are at the heart of our decision-making.
Independent Director and Chair of the Board -
First Term of Office
Mary Curnock Cook CBE chairs the QAHE Board, bringing to the role over a decade of experience in higher education governance with both traditional and innovative providers.
In addition to QAHE, Mary chairs the Dyson Institute and the UK qualifications business of Pearson Education. She’s also a Council member at the University of Leicester, a NED at the London Interdisciplinary School and a Trustee at the Higher Education Policy Institute. She’s a regular speaker and commentator on higher education, and as a former Chair of the UPP Foundation’s Student Futures Commission, is known for her commitment to widening access and student experience.
In her executive career, Mary was Chief Executive of UCAS from 2010 to 2017.
Independent Director - First Term of Office
Professor Ian Dunn is Provost and Chief Academic Officer for Coventry University Group, and he brings a wealth of higher education experience to the Board.
Ian has worked at Coventry University since 1992, beginning as an academic in the Engineering Faculty and has subsequently taken many roles in Engineering and Computing before being appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor in 2010, Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 2013 and Provost in 2018.
Ian is highly engaged with the higher education sector both nationally and internationally. He is a member of the QAA Advisory Committee for Degree Awarding Powers in the UK and a member of the European University Association steering committee for learning and teaching. In 2016 Ian was voted “Inspiring Leader of the Year” at the Guardian Higher Education Awards. He is highly engaged in his local communities, working with schools, the justice system and charities.
Investor Director and Chair of the Finance & Strategy Committee – First Term of Office
Udaibir is a Managing Director, at CVC. He is a member of the CVC UK team based in London. Prior to joining CVC, he was in the Direct PE team at CPP Investment Board and in the UK M&A group at Citi. Udaibir holds an honours degree in Economics from Harvard college and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Chief Executive & Accountable Officer – Executive Director
Simon joined QAHE as Chief Executive Officer and was appointed as its first Chief Accountable Officer in April 2026. He is responsible for leading the organisation’s overall strategy, performance, and accountability, ensuring QAHE delivers on its mission and continues to grow and develop in the UK and internationally. Full bio
Chief Financial Officer – Executive Director
Tim joined QAHE as Chief Financial Officer in June 2022, with responsibility for finance, data, and strategic insight. He leads financial planning and performance, supporting sustainable growth and informed decision-making across the organisation. Full bio