University Council is responsible for managing the business and affairs of the University. This includes determining our mission and policies as well as ensuring the financial solvency of the institution. All plans for academic work, the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor and the University Executive Board (UEB), as well as the level of tuition fees, must be agreed by the Council.

Mrs Jane Beever - Chair of University Council

I started my career in education as a modern foreign languages teacher (Italian and French), teaching in a variety of state and church schools throughout England. I have been Head Teacher at Loreto Grammar School since 2006. Through the national teaching schools programme I have supported various schools including a period as executive headteacher of one establishment.  I am the Loreto Education Officer for the Loreto English education network.  I am a member of Blessed James Bell parish in Warrington and I was appointed to Council via the Nominations Committee.

Mr Tim Alderman

My proudest moment was achieving an ‘outstanding’ judgement for Leadership & Management in an OFSTED report whose opening line stated ‘Social justice is the principle that has guided this school’s rapid improvement over the past two years’.

Mr Nick Dawe

I was educated at the Salesian College and subsequently at Hull University and John Moore’s where I obtained an accountancy qualification.

My career started in Liverpool with the NHS and progressed to being a Finance Director at a London Teaching Hospital.  I then moved to Local Government and have held a variety of positions including the Director of Resources at Cambridgeshire County Council.

I have also played a key role in establishing a bank and a community orientated development company.

Most recently, I have concentrated on other interests including amassing and taking aid to many places in Ukraine.

I wish to contribute my experience to Liverpool Hope University Council.

Dr Edwin Djabatey

I am a Consultant Anaesthetic Doctor (anaesthetist) and have been a clinician for the last 36 years. As an anaesthetic doctor, I have provided clinical services and leadership support in Anaesthesia, Perioperative and Critical Care services, anaesthesia for short. These services underpin all of secondary care. During this period I have held various leadership roles including Clinical Director of Anaesthesia and Theatres. I am the immediate Past President of the Liverpool Society of Anaesthetists. The Liverpool Society of Anaesthetists is the society for all anaesthetists in Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales region. I have useful experience in working with clinical networks both internally and externally. I am committed to life-long learning as such I have an ongoing role in medical education as an educational and clinical supervisor of anaesthetic trainees (doctors)

I was appointed via the Nominations Committee.

Revd Geoff Felton

I have been Moderator of Mersey Synod of the United Reformed Church for nearly 18 months. Prior to that I served in a church in Colchester for 11 years as the minister and three churches in East East Kent for ten years.

Before I was called to be ordained I worked as a geologist in the oil industry offshore Norway, in the North Sea.

I served as a School Governor in Essex between 2012 and 2017 and was a trustee of a Colchester based youth charity between 2015 and 2021.

My first degree is in Geology. I also have a BTh in Christian Ministry and a postgraduate diploma in Pastoral Theology.

I’m married with three University aged boys and in my spare time I love photography, walking and I have been known to run the odd marathon or two.

I love seeing people flourish and reach their potential. I look forward to serving at Liverpool Hope University because of it’s unique character and particular strengths in gathering people together from a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds.

Dr Penny Haughan

Penny is Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Liverpool Hope University. She has strategic responsibility for a range of aspects of the Life of the University.  Her portfolio includes student pastoral care, Student Records and Data, Learning Resources and Learning & Teaching. She also has responsibility for the Executive Deans and their Faculties.  

Penny works closely with the Academic Schools and has overall responsibility for Quality Assurance & Enhancement. She is responsible for oversight of the University’s interactions with external bodies such as the OfS and compliance with their requirements. She has a particular interest in the Student Experience and is responsibility for the major University events such as graduation.

Penny’s academic background is in Biochemistry and she spent several years as Dean of Sciences and Social Sciences

Penny is part of the Vice Chancellors Advisory Group (VCAG) comprising of all the University leaders who all report directly to the Vice-Chancellor & Rector. She has recently led a University wide initiative to address challenges associated with Women in Leadership.   

The term ‘Provost’ which is added to the DVC title reflects her responsibility for the University’s International strategy and that she regularly represents the VC in interactions with international partners. 

Penny is also Governor at three external institutions including a local primary school in Warrington, a University in London and an FE College in Merseyside.

Very Revd Dr Sue Jones

I was appointed Dean of Liverpool in 2018. My first degree, a Bachelor of Education was from a Church College Foundation, Trinity College, Carmarthen. I have spent most of my ministry in ministerial (clergy) education having served in a theological college in Cardiff and as Director of Mission and Ministry in the Diocese of Derby. I have served as a priest in Swansea, Llandaff, North Wales, Derby and now Liverpool.

Ms Lesley Martin-Wright

Fr Chris McCoy

I am a priest of the Archdiocese of Liverpool. Since ordination in 1977 I have worked in a variety of different ministries: parish work, 6 years in Peru, Chaplain to the Deaf, University Chaplain and then National Co-ordinator of University Chaplains. I returned to parish work in 2001 after having completed four years in Paris as International Chaplain to the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS) which operates in 80 countries around the world.

I was nominated by the Archbishop of Liverpool to be his representative on University Council. I am currently a member of the University's Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Mr John Norbury

I graduated in Law from Hull University in 1978. In 1979 I joined the Liverpool based stockbroking firm of Tilney and Co and have worked there ever since. During my time at Tilney I have held various senior positions including Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. The company is now known as the wealth management business Tilney Bestinvest. I am the Deputy Chairman of the Group. I am also a trustee of the company pension scheme.

My extra curricular interests have primarily been in education and golf. I have served as a governor of two schools; one state one private. I am now serving my second term as a Council member at Liverpool Hope.

I have served on committees of the R & A in St Andrews which is the governing body for world golf.

I was appointed via the Nominations Committee. I am currently Chair of the University's Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Professor Claire Ozanne

Read more about Professor Ozanne on the University leadership page.

Ms Paula Raper

I have been with Liverpool Hope University since 2014 as a Senior Professional Tutor in the School of Business. I teach HRM (Human Resource Management) and Organisational Behaviour on the Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes. As a firm advocate of widening participation, I am pleased to have responsibility for the Foundation programme in the Business& School. I previously taught an MSc in Training & HRM at Leicester University and I hold Master’s degrees in both Occupational Psychology and Human Resource Development.

Prior to joining Hope University, I worked with local stakeholders to design and deliver the skills and employment strategy across the Liverpool City Region. I hold memberships of the CIPD (Chartered Institute for Personnel Development) and the BPS: DOP (British Psychological Society, Division of Occupational Psychology).

Ms Deborah Shackleton CBE

I spent most of my working life in social housing, culminating in becoming Chief Executive of The Riverside Group, a national housing association serving over 50,000 tenants. Riverside had a commercial development arm, its own in -house repairs company and a strong commitment to providing housing with support for the most vulnerable.

Since retiring, I have undertaken several non- executive/trustee positions, including Deputy Chair of Liverpool John Moores University and the National Museums Liverpool, Chair of Career Connect and Grainger Trust, and Board member of Progress Housing and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. I also took up photography after retirement and am Treasurer of the Crosby Camera Club.

Ms Jemma Stevens

I am the President of Liverpool Hope Students' Union. I was elected into this position by the student body at Hope and as a part of this role I chair the Students’ Union Trustee Board and I am also a Governor of the University.

As President it is my duty to enhance the experience of students studying at Hope by providing pastoral care, events, societies and sports teams and student representative systems. I have the privilege of working closely with both students and staff of the university and sit on a number of committees to represent the student voice.

I graduated from Hope in July 2024 with a first class degree in Sport and exercise and nutrition and was honoured to be the Netball team President during my final year. I feel my 4 years studying at Hope really shaped the person I am today and I am passionate about ensuring every student feels like they too get the most out of their university experience as possible. I am proud to represent the Student union and will strive to provide enriched opportunities for all students.

Mrs Maggie Swinson

I was first appointed as Warrington trustee to St Katherine’s College in the early 1990s. I did my MA in Ecclesiastical Theology at Liverpool Hope – my first degree, in Music, is from Liverpool University.

Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant I am Company Secretary for a social enterprise delivering health care contracts in the Cheshire and Mersey region alongside holding a small portfolio of clients. I served on the General Synod of the Church of England (1985-2021) and am now Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council, the representative body for the Anglican Communion.

I was nominated as a University Governor by the Trustees of Warrington Training College. I am currently Chair of the University's Staffing Committee.

Mr Steven Townley

After graduating from Leicester University with a BA in Social Sciences (Economics), I trained as a financial accountant and spent most of my career working in public sector audit and accountability with the UK National Audit Office in London. I led audits of a wide range of UK and international bodies including large UK government departments such as HMRC, public sector charities, corporations, and United Nations Agencies. I have worked very closely with governing bodies to secure good governance, transparency, accountability, and value for money in the public sector.

In my work I have been fortunate enough to travel extensively to see the operations of UK public sector departments and UN operations in the field and spent many years living overseas in New York, Geneva and Rome.

Since retiring from NAO, I was appointed as the UK delegate to the UN Committee on Contributions and held this role for 7 years. I now live on the Wirral with my wife and family and look forward to contributing to the future successes of Liverpool Hope University.

Dr Caroline Wakefield

HHJ Graham Wood KC

I was a barrister for 31 years specialising in medical and public law, before appointment as a circuit judge in 2011. In 2014 I became the head of civil justice for Cheshire and Merseyside responsible for the county courts in Liverpool, St Helens, Chester, Crewe and Birkenhead. I also sit as a deputy High Court Judge from time to time.

In was involved in secondary education governorship for nearly 15 years and am a former Chair of Governors at Liverpool College prior to its academy status.

I serve as Chancellor of the Diocese of Liverpool and I am a reader at St Luke’s Crosby.

I was nominated by the Trustees of Warrington Training College. I am currently Chair of the University's Standing Committee on Research Ethics.

If you are interested in becoming a a Member of University Council, please contact Clare McKinnell mckinnc@hope.ac.uk

University Council is the governing body of Liverpool Hope University. It is responsible for maintaining the educational character of the institution and the promotion of its Mission and Values. The powers and responsibilities of Council are defined in the Articles of Government (Constitution) of the University.

Chair: Mrs Jane Beever

Secretary and Clerk to Council: Mr Derrick Dykins

Dates of all meetings in the current academic year are available here.

Minutes Archive

Minutes will be uploaded as soon as they are confirmed at the next meeting. For previous minutes that are not available here, please contact the Minute Secretary: dykinsd@hope.ac.uk