Professor Andrew Gower
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer
BA(Hons) MEd MBA MPhil PhD PGCE DMS(Ed) FHEA
Professor Andrew Gower serves as Vice-Chancellor and CEO of the University, providing overall strategic leadership, overseeing academic and operational management, and representing the institution to its stakeholders. Andrew is responsible for setting the University’s vision in pursuance of its Mission: to serve the common good by advancing social and economic prosperity through excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange.
With a dual interest in music and management, Andrew’s career spans higher, further and adult education. He has held senior positions at Canterbury Christ Church University, East Kent College and as Principal and CEO of Morley College London, one of the UK’s oldest and largest Institutes of Adult Learning.
Since joining Lincoln Bishop University in April 2025, Andrew has led development of institutional strategy, pursing growth and impact as a confident, person-centred and forward-looking university offering a highly personalised and engaging student experience, on-campus, online, in the workplace and through partnership. As an advocate for lifelong learning, Andrew is committed to the positive difference Lincoln Bishop University makes in the lives of students and their communities, building on the University’s sector-leading reputation for widening participation with outstanding results.
Steve Galjaard
Interim Chief Financial Officer
BA (Hons) FCA
Steve Galjaard is our Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO), providing leadership and support to the University’s operational teams including Finance, Human Resources, Property, Campus Operations, Data, and Information Systems. As a member of the University Executive Group, he contributes to the overall strategy setting for the University.
Steve is qualified as a Chartered Accountant and has held various non-executive positions, including those in Higher and Further Education Institutions.
Previously as CFO at a large, purpose led, retailer and property developer, he led on property strategy and had executive responsibility for various trading activities along with support functions. Through partnership working he helped to deliver new health facilities, digital workspace, a science park and a city centre redevelopment scheme. He also held the position of Acting CEO during a period of change.
Steve joined the team here in July and is helping to ensure the University has a long term sustainable financial plan, recognising the University’s Values and in support of its Purpose.
Dr Nick Gee
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
MA (Oxon) PGCE EdD
Dr Nick Gee serves as the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, providing strategic leadership and oversight of the University’s academic provision. Nick is responsible for academic portfolio delivery and innovation, ensuing alignment with our Mission to serve the common good by advancing social and economic prosperity through excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange.
Since joining the University in 2015, Nick has held several senior leadership roles including Head of School, Dean of Faculty and Executive Dean, with a primary focus upon providing an outstanding student experience. Alongside his management responsibilities, Nick’s research interests include outdoor learning, subject knowledge, and evaluation within higher education, and he has authored over 70 scholarly/academic journal articles. Nick also has significant international experience within HE, including leadership of British Council-funded projects and consultancy on behalf of the UK Department for International Trade and the Thai Ministry of Education. He previously worked at the University of East Anglia for over 12 years, latterly as Associate Dean within the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Nick currently leads the academic portfolio innovation sub-strategy to create agile, distinctive and coherent provision, responsive to local and regional skills needs, and structured around strategically-focused routes into the education, nursing/allied health, professional business services and applied humanities professions. This approach ensures we build upon our strengths to deliver person-centred learning, whilst also widening access and meeting our commitment to social purpose, digital transformation and sustainable development.
Professor Andrew Jackson
Executive Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange
BA(Hons) MA PhD SFHEA FRHistS
Professor Andrew Jackson is Executive Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange at Bishop Grosseteste University. He joined the staff of the University in 2007 as a Lecturer in History & Heritage, following ten years at the University of Exeter. Andrew became the Head of Research at BGU in 2017, and the Executive Dean of RKE in early 2024.
Andrew’s academic background is in history and geography. He is a well-established, highly experienced, and enthusiastic advocate for the roles of research and knowledge exchange in empowering local places, and their people, communities, organisations, and environments.
Professor Jackson’s senior management oversight includes the development of BGU’s strategy for RKE, enhancement of its research culture and environment, the promotion and support of external engagement and partnership, submissions to the Research Excellence and Knowledge Exchange Frameworks, doctoral-degree provision, and grant income processes.
Andrew is also Professor of Local, Regional and Landscape History. The main focus of Andrew’s research includes twentieth-century historical and geographical change in rural and urban contexts, and especially in Lincolnshire and Devon. His interests extend into literature and art, and publications include books, chapters and articles. Andrew also engages in public impact projects and supervises doctoral students.
Dr Claire Thomson
Executive Dean Learning, Teaching and Student Success
BA(Hons) MPhil PhD FHEA
Dr Claire Thomson offers strategic leadership and management in the area of learning and teaching, student engagement and graduate outcomes. She has established The Hub, a purposely-equipped, student-facing support centre, designed around new and innovative ways of working to implement the strategic aims of the University. Claire leads a dynamic team with responsibility for all aspects of student support, teaching and learning excellence, and graduate outcomes.
Claire and the wider Hub team implement research-informed enhancement across Lincoln Bishop University, creating transformative experiences, embedding student engagement projects, and developing skills to support academic study and employability. Claire is committed to the continuous professional development of Lincoln Bishop University staff, to ensure an accessible, inclusive, personalised student experience, and high-quality delivery of teaching and learning for which the University has a sector-leading reputation.
Claire’s research background is in medieval studies, but current research interests are in the area of learning and teaching in higher education and the development of new methodologies for the delivery of effective and engaging learning, teaching and assessment. Research interests focus on the development of student-centred, blended learning approaches that utilise digital technologies and new methodologies for the delivery of effective and engaging learning, teaching and assessment. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Claire joined the University in 2000.
Jonathan Lidster
Chief Planning & Data Officer
MBA, PgDip, FCMI CMgr, CDPO
Jonathan Lidster is Chief Planning & Data Officer at Lincoln Bishop University, providing strategic leadership in institutional planning, performance, data management, data governance and Information Technology to enable the successful delivery of Strategy 2030. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, he oversees institutional planning, timetabling, risk management, data & insight reporting, statutory reporting and operational & procedural excellence, ensuring robust data management and governance.
Jonathan leads the University’s Information Systems and IT services, spearheading digital transformation through the implementation of the Digital Transformation Roadmap and supporting Data Sub-Strategy. His focus is on developing future-ready infrastructure and harnessing Artificial Intelligence, ensuring technology and data-driven innovation underpin operational resilience, enhance the student experience, and drive organisational efficiency. His leadership is central to realising the University’s aim to be a confident, person-centred, and forward-looking institution, delivering a highly personalised and engaging student experience.
His role underpins the University’s three Strategic Goals:
· Inspiring Opportunities: Developing analytics and planning frameworks, data and insight to support academic and institutional growth and widening participation.
· Transformative Experiences: Advancing integrated digital, data, and IT strategy to create technology-enabled student journeys, embedding learner analytics, supporting AI adoption, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
· Long-Term Sustainability: Driving integrated planning and performance monitoring , and leading major transformation and change projects that optimise resources and strengthen institutional resilience.
With over 15 years of experience spanning higher education, economic development, and financial services, Jonathan brings a proven track record in organisational transformation, change management, and strategic leadership. His earlier career includes leadership positions in economic development and global financial services, where he specialised in strategic growth and operational excellence
He holds an MBA focused on the social purpose of UK universities alongside postgraduate qualifications in senior leadership and strategic management. He is a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, a Certified Data Protection Officer, and a PRINCE2 Practitioner. Committed to inclusive leadership, he also serves as an Executive Sponsor and contributes to sector governance as a Member Director of Uniac.
Leanne Chancellor
Head of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office and Interim University Secretary
Leanne Chancellor serves as Head of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office and Interim University Secretary at Lincoln Bishop University, providing support in the strategic and operational leadership of effective governance, compliance, and executive support for the delivery of Strategy 2030.
In this role, Leanne oversees the co-ordination of the University’s governance framework, supporting University Council, Senate, and key committees to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with regulatory requirements.
Leanne plays a pivotal role in enabling the University’s ambition and Mission, ensuring that decision-making processes are informed, efficient, and compliant. She supports and advises governance, statutory compliance, and the smooth operation of executive functions, including the planning and delivery of major institutional events such as graduation ceremonies.
Leanne has worked for Lincoln Bishop University for over 20 years and has developed extensive expertise in governance, executive administration, and stakeholder engagement. She has held a series of roles at the University, including research, international, and executive administration, before stepping into her current leadership position. Her career reflects a strong commitment to operational excellence and the creation of collaborative, high-performing teams.
Leanne is passionate about organisational effectiveness and student experience; she continues to play a key role in supporting the University’s strategic priorities and ensuring that governance and compliance frameworks enable the successful implementation of Strategy 2030.
Allison Webb
Director of Business & Community Engagement
BEd (Hons) Dip CG MA
Allison Webb serves as the Director of Business & Community Engagement, providing strategic leadership for academic partnerships, apprenticeships and community learning.
Allison ensures that the University has outstanding relationships with key partners, maintaining the diverse portfolio of collaborative partnerships and apprenticeships as well as a developing remit to broaden access and develop inspiring opportunities for learners from the community local to Lincoln Bishop University.
Allison’s career spans roles in residential care for young people, schools, local authority services and higher education. She has led initiatives for businesses, social economy organisations, students and learners, with a particular focus on high quality, personalised services for young adults.
Since joining the University in 2012, Allison has overseen the development of careers, employability and enterprise services, community initiatives such as the establishment of the Ermine Library and Community Hub, social purpose initiatives, commercial services as well as various funded external contracts delivering to both businesses and members of the community.
Ben Rook
Head of Marketing & Communications, Student Recruitment, & Admissions
Ben Rook leads the University’s strategic communications and student recruitment activity, shaping the public narrative of Lincoln Bishop University and ensuring its values and ambitions are clearly conveyed to prospective students and stakeholders. As Head of Marketing & Communications, Student Recruitment, & Admissions, Ben plays a pivotal role in delivering the University’s Strategic Goal of Inspiring Opportunities by promoting access to higher education through inclusive, imaginative and impactful engagement.
Ben’s leadership is central to the University’s commitment to Transformative Experiences, ensuring that every interaction with a potential student, from initial point of enquiry to enrolment and ultimately beginning study, reflects the University’s person-centred ethos and sector-leading reputation for widening participation. His work supports the University’s civic mission and its strategic objective to grow and promote a distinctive academic portfolio aligned to social purpose, including education, health and business services.
With a career spent mostly across marketing, communications and student engagement, Ben brings extensive experience in brand development, digital strategy and stakeholder relations. His approach is informed by a deep understanding of the higher education landscape and a passion for empowering individuals through learning. Since joining the university in 2007 he has worked to promote the University’s values of inclusion, innovation and excellence, and contributes directly to its long-term sustainability by strengthening recruitment, enhancing visibility and fostering meaningful connections with communities locally, nationally and internationally.
Professor Matthew Innes
Senior Strategic Advisor
Professor Matt Innes sits on the University Executive Board as Senior Strategic Advisor, working closely with the Vice Chancellor and the University’s academic and professional leadership to support strategic development, collaboration and innovation.
Matt’s academic and professional experience and interests span University leadership, organisational change, history and policy. His professional career has been inspired by a commitment to social mobility, and a determination to ensure that ladders of opportunity like those from which he had benefited, were accessible for future generations.
By background Matt is a prize-winning author and historian, whose academic career has progressed through research and teaching roles at the Universities of Cambridge, Birmingham, York and London, and he has served as a College and University Governor, Head of School, Dean of Faculty, and Pro Vice Chancellor. He recently completed a period as Deputy Vice Chancellor at Birkbeck, the torch bearer for educational access within the University of London federation. At Birkbeck he implemented values-led strategic changes in response to financial and policy challenges, ensuring that a diverse and disadvantaged student body could succeed through flexible blended study pathways from Foundation through to Postgraduate which allowed University to be combined with caring, family and work responsibilities. Matt is strongly engaged in advocacy and policy work around widening access, adult education and lifelong learning.
At Lincoln Bishop University, Matt is working closely with colleagues on a range of strategic developments. These include preparing for the Government’s new Lifelong Learning Entitlement to support flexible modular learning and regional partnerships; developing an institutional plan to embed social purpose at the heart of all the University does; ensuring that national league tables reflect the University’s outstanding student experience; and supporting academic development and research impact in the ‘Applied Humanities’, Business and the Professions, and Education.
