Co-Opted Members of Committees
Co-Opted Member
- Current post-holder: Professor Mary Bishop (she/her)
- First appointed: 26 May 2017
- Current term of office ends: 26 May 2026
Biography
With a first degree in English Language and Literature, a masters in business and management research and a PhD in social accounting, Mary is a Fellow of Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA). Most recently former of Director of Learning at the Royal Society of Medicine, previously Director of Learning for ACCA Global With industry experience herself as a leader in education, technology, manufacturing and utility businesses. Professionally qualified in both marketing and accounting, she has also held senior university leadership roles and is an author of over 15 books including the first edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Accounting. Mary currently holds a portfolio of roles including NEDs and national UK regulatory positions, and leads a commercial and education consultancy focusing particularly on developing innovative digital teaching and learning models, governance and risk management and regulatory compliance. Drawing on these themes, she has written for both UK national consultations and think tanks on the need to develop a more flexible approach to education delivery and credentialing.
She served a 4 year term as a Commissioner on the UK all party thinktank, the Higher Education Commission, is a Royal Trust Queen’s Anniversary Prize Higher Education Panellist and sits on the Council of the British Accreditation Council. With contributions to parliamentary research, academic journals/books and conferences, and women in accountancy initiatives over the past 25 years, in 2016 she was awarded honorary Chartered Accountancy status for her contribution to global accountancy education.
Mary is a co-opted member of Audit and Risk Committee
Co-Opted Member
- Current post-holder: Mrs Linda Fletcher (she/her)
- First appointed: 1 April 2024
- Current term of office ends: 31 December 2026
Biography
A graduate of the University of Bath and the College of Law, Linda Fletcher is a solicitor with over 35 years’ experience as a commercial real estate and environmental lawyer, with a particular expertise in ESG issues. She was a partner at a number of major law firms in London, both US and English, as well as having in-house legal experience at Marks and Spencer plc and SCA, a Swedish paper and packaging company.
Linda has considerable experience of managing and delivering complex infrastructure and regeneration projects, including the Olympics 2012, energy from waste projects and hotel development on brownfield land.
Linda is a co-opted member of the Infrastructure Planning Committee having previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees, the Finance and Infrastructure Committee and the Remuneration Committee.
Co-Opted Member
- Current post-holder: Dr Sarah Gilbert (she/her)
- First appointed: 12 April 2022
- Current term of office ends: 12 April 2026
Biography
Sarah Gilbert is a graduate of the University of Bristol (BA English; Diploma in Counselling at Work; MSc Counselling). She has been a visiting tutor in the School of Education and has also provided professional coaching and mentoring support for students and staff. She is a volunteer External Mentor for the University’s Bristol Women’s Mentoring Network. Elected an Alumni Association member of Court and member of the Nominations Committee of the Board of Trustees, Sarah has participated in several consultations for change and recommendations for senior leadership and governance appointments.
Bristol based, Sarah is an active participant in a range of community and business networks. As co-founding Partner with people development consultancy Apsley Associates since 2005, she has worked internationally and cross-culturally in a variety of knowledge-based service organisations. Earlier career roles in human resources management and consultancy included VSO, NatWest, Hay, Touche Ross/Deloitte, KPMG and Penna. Sarah is currently a Member of the Association for Coaching and an Affiliate of the British Psychological Society. She was previously a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and a Registered Member of the BACP.
Sarah is a member of Court and sits on the Nominations Committee of the Board.
Co-Opted Member
- Current post-holder: Miss Michaela Munro (she/her)
- First appointed: 1 April 2024
- Current term of office ends: 31 December 2026
Biography
Michaela Munro is the UK COO of Alternatives at AXA Investment Managers. Prior to AXA IM, Michaela spent nearly a decade at Standard Chartered Bank, where she held senior roles in operations, compliance, regulatory liaison, private banking, and operational resilience in the UK and the Middle East. Michaela holds an Executive MBA from Cranfield University, a Private Markets Investment Programme from Said Business School at Oxford, an International Diploma in Anti-Money Laundering from Manchester Business School and completed her undergrad degree at the University of the West of England. She is a member of Audit and Risk Committee.
Michaela is a co-opted member of Audit and Risk Committee
Co-Opted Member
- Current post-holder: Dr Hazel Phillips
- First appointed: 24 September 2019
- Current term of office ends: 31 August 2027
Biography
Hazel is the Chief Operating Officer of the Adolescent Health Study, a major research study focused on understanding how young people grow and develop during adolescence. She did a degree and PhD in chemistry at the University of Bristol and since then has worked in research across public and private sector roles, including at the Environment Agency, the Medical Research Council, the University of Bristol and the NHS. Her expertise is in research management, connecting big-picture scientific strategy with the day-to-day running of research programmes.
Hazel is a member of Court and sits on the Nominations Committee of the Board.
Co-Opted Member
- Current post-holder: Mr Jonathan Punter (he/him)
- First appointed: 12 October 2016
- Current term of office ends: 31 December 2025
Biography
Prior to forming Punter Southall with Stuart Southall in 1988, Jonathan began his career with Duncan C Fraser and Co in 1978, where he became a Partner within seven years. He has 40 years’ experience in the actuarial profession and particular expertise in UK pensions, investment strategy, pensions in mergers, buy-outs and due diligence deals. A director of several investment companies in London and Dublin, he is also a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Jonathan is a co-opted member of Finance & Investments Committee
Co-Opted Member
- Current post-holder: Mrs Margaret Simmons-Bird (she/her)
- First appointed: 8 March 2020
- Current term of office ends: 31 July 2026
Biography
Margaret is a co-opted member of Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee.