New appointment to lead on campus vision
Our latest senior appointment will lead the development of plans to create an exciting new blueprint for the ‘campus of the future’.
Ann Allen is joining the University as Director of Campus Innovation and Development
Ann Allen will take up the role of Director of Campus Innovation and Development on 30 May, leading on the delivery of our vision to ensure our campus offers opportunities for an exceptional student experience, provides first-class facilities for research and external collaborations, and meets the best possible sustainability standards.
Specifically, Ann will be accountable for the development of a re-imagined ‘smart and sustainable campus’ to support a new digital model for higher education.
Ann said: “I’m extremely excited to take up the role of Director of Campus Innovation and Development.
“The University already has an inspirational strategy, and the development of a new campus blueprint will underpin this by creating a vision for an environment that’s welcoming, sustainable, smart and digitally enabled.
“In developing this blueprint, we can incorporate learning from across the world, while also thinking about the role of the campus within the city. In this way we can create a diverse environment, which is unique and specific to Leeds. I’m looking forward to engaging with the staff and student communities to create this exciting new blueprint.”
Dennis Hopper, Interim Chief Operating Officer, said: “I’m very much looking forward to welcoming Ann to the University. She joins us at an exciting time, and will play an integral role in developing our ‘campus of the future’, to help shape the strategic direction of the University.”
Diverse career
Ann is a chartered surveyor and has worked across a diverse range of organisations in property and construction during a 35-year career.
For the past 18 months, she has led the professional membership organisation the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors. Prior to that, she was Executive Director of Estates and Commercial Services for the University of Glasgow, where she led a £1 billion capital investment programme.
Ann has previously worked for companies such as John Lewis, HBOS and Segro. Among her non-executive roles, she chairs the Huddersfield University Students’ Union trust.
Ann is a strong advocate for diversity in property, and was awarded an MBE in the 2017 New Year’s Honours list for her contribution to higher education.
Services reporting to Ann will include Estates and Facilities, Residential Accommodation, Catering and Conferencing, Sport and Commercial Development, and the Sustainability Service.
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