Statement | 1 November 2021
Cardiff Met has recently appointed six new Independent Members to the Board of Governors.
The University’s Board of Governors has responsibility for good governance and the overall strategic direction of the organisation.
Speaking about the appointments, President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff Met, Professor Cara Aitchison said: "These new independent governors join a strong Board and a university that is both performance-driven and compassionate in serving Wales and the wider world. Governors are key to providing scrutiny and challenge to me and my team and support the university in achieving its ambitions of growth, diversification and improvement underpinned by our sound financial position.
"We have celebrated many successes over the past year including significant league table improvements and being awarded the title of ‘The Times and The Sunday Times Welsh University of the Year 2021. Over the last three years we have admitted students to over 40 new degree programmes including Architecture, Law, Policing Studies and our new BA Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status now making us Wales’ largest provider of initial teacher education.
"Our new Cardiff School of Technologies is responding to employer need and student demand in areas that will support post-pandemic economic recovery whilst our established areas of Health Professions and Biosciences, recently been deemed top in Wales in The Guardian League Table, continue to contribute to the front-line efforts to combat Covid.
"Our continuing ability to have far reaching impacts on society and the economy depend on good governance, strategic leadership and compassionate management and I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new Board members from the entire staff and student body."
Chair of the Board of Governors, John Taylor added: "The Board of Governors is a critical part in the strategic governance of Cardiff Met and we are delighted to welcome these highly skilled and experienced individuals.
"I am certain they will all provide unique advice, guidance and critique to the Governing body over the coming academic years."
The six new independent governors are:
Roisin Connolly
A Senior Management Consultant at Accenture since 2012, Roisin provides strategic direction to senior management, and will often focus on difficult programmes of work, including digital transformation or inclusion, diversity and behavioural measures to improve and make an organisation more impactful.
Passionate about getting more women into tech, Roisin regularly speaks at events and schools to advocate careers in this area.
Karen Fiagbe
Karen has a wealth of experience in the public sector, currently working at Lewisham Council as Interim Head of Economy and Partnerships, as well as holding previous experience at Croydon Council and past roles such as a governor at a primary school and on business improvement district boards.
With a wealth of experience in community and supporting the local population, Karen has worked with a variety of bodies to innovate and develop city regions.
Christopher Pilgrim
With experience in the UK and overseas, Chris has developed a significant skillset in HR within ExxonMobil, Shell and E.on-Npower. With a focus on leading change within culture and behaviour, Chris has built relationships on trust and credibility throughout the organisations he’s been a part of.
Chris has held a number of NED and Executive roles. Notably he is currently Chair of the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Pay Review Body and Chief HR and People Officer at E.on-Npower.
David Surdeau
David has had a significant global career, having spent time in a variety of countries, including Hungary, the USA, and South Korea. This wealth of experience had provided him with a broad cultural understanding, as well as the ability to build relationships across the world.
David is currently interim Chief Finance Officer for M&S and has also had a range of senior finance roles at Tesco. David’s background in finance was utilised in further education at Newham College where he has acted as Governor, Vice-Chair, and Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee.
Alison Thorne
Following a successful commercial retail career as an executive director in listed and private companies, Alison developed a second career in executive search and business development as Founder and MD of atconnect. Alison is passionate about mentoring and people development, and has also led post graduate studies at London Collage of Fashion.
Alison has been a trustee with Chwarae Teg since 2016 and Chair from 2019. She’s also a Special Independent Panel Member for Public Appointments Welsh Government and a Board member at Sports Wales.
Matthew Tossell
As Managing Partner of Hugh James from 1999 to 2011 and Chief Executive of Hugh James Involegal LLP from 2011 to the present day, Matthew has had a notable legal career, building up a significant client base, and transforming the business to become more digital. Having established a Hugh James Training Academy, Matthew has developed relationships with various educational institutions in city to provide bespoke training.
Recently appointed to the Cardiff Capital Region Business Council Board, Matthew will represent the business interests of the city whilst the region is being developed.
