Council members

Malcolm Sweeting 
Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Council

Malcolm Sweeting took up the role of Pro-Chancellor of the Open University from 1 January 2019.  He says, "The Open University is instantly recognised with great affection and great respect for its achievements. Almost everyone I speak to has a story to tell about the OU, and how it has inspired one of their family or friends to achieve their ambitions. As the OU celebrates its 50th Anniversary, it is with great pride that I take this wonderful opportunity to assist the OU to continue to change the lives of so many and to make such a profound and deep impact on society."

 Previously Malcolm was Global Senior Partner at Clifford Chance, one of the world’s largest elite law firms with 34 offices in 27 countries. Malcolm also sat on the CityUK Advisory Board, the China Britain Business Council, the Board at Hopes and Homes for Children, the European Advisory Board of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), the Chatham House Britain Global World Advisory Board and the Programme Board for CKGSB /Möller Institute Innovation for Impact Project.

As a Pro-Chancellor, Malcolm is the Chair of the OU Council and Governance & Nominations Committee; Deputy Chair of Strategic Planning and Resources Committee; a member of the University's Finance and Remuneration Committees and attends Investment Committee.

Term of office: 01.01.2019 – 31.12.2026 (second term)

Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow DBE CBE 
Vice-Chair of the Council

Julia has had a career in academia with a strong interest in UK higher education and research policy. She studied Physics as an undergraduate but soon moved into biophysics and structural biology undertaking research for a PhD at the Open University Oxford Research Unit. 

After a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University, she moved to Birkbeck, University of London eventually becoming Vice-Master. Her time at the OU and Birkbeck ensures her ongoing commitment to part-time study. In 2002, she was appointed Chief Executive of the BBSRC and in 2007 she moved to the University of Kent as Vice-Chancellor. During this time, she served as a member of the Prime Minster’s council for Science and Technology and was elected the first woman President of Universities UK in 2015.

Since leaving Kent, she has undertaken a number of non-exec positions including chair of Public Health England and President of the Royal Society of Biology. She is currently President of The Biochemical Society and a trustee of HEPI. She received a CBE in 2001 and a DBE in 2010 for service to science.

Term of office: 01.08.2022 – 31.07.2026 (first term)

Robert McCracken
Treasurer

Robert graduated in law from Edinburgh University in 1979, joined Ernst & Young (EY) in 1980 and was a partner in the firm from 1992 until 2018. He became a member of the OU Finance Committee in August 2015. Throughout his career at EY, Robert specialised in auditing and advising banks and other financial services institutions. After 2007, Robert combined a leadership role in the UK firm’s accounting technical department, a global role as co-chairman of the firm’s IFRS Financial Instruments Working Group, and a continuing role as audit partner for various audit clients.

Since retiring from EY, Robert has advised the firm on audit quality and has taken on the role of Audit Committee Chair of a number of portfolio companies owned by a leading Private Equity group. He was the Treasurer and Audit Committee Chair of the Tate Members Council from 2004 to 2014. He brings to the OU significant experience of operating at board level either as an auditor or non-executive director/trustee, combined with a strong interest in education and equality of opportunity. As Treasurer, Robert is Chair of the Finance Committee and the Investment Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Term of Office:  01-08-2019 – 31-07-2027 (second term)

Kerry Anthony

 Kerry has worked in the third sector for over 28 years, 18 of those as a Chief Executive Officer. An expert in organisational governance, structure and strategy, Kerry has led on transformation projects in a number of large, complex organisations both nationally and internationally. As a values-led leader, Kerry believes that positive relationships and communication make organisations thrive. 

With a strong commitment to social justice and service user-led delivery, Kerry has been a high-profile voice for organisations working on some of the most pressing and complex social issues facing society today. Kerry’s combination of service-based expertise and authentic communication and leadership skills mean she is a regular commentator to the media and acts as an advisor to policymakers at both local and national levels.

Kerry is currently the Chief Executive of Inspire, an all-island charity and social enterprise working with people living with mental ill-health, addictions and intellectual disability across Ireland. She joined the organisation in August 2019 following 14 years with the Depaul, an all-island and international charity supporting people experiencing homelessness. She is a qualified social worker and holds a Masters in Voluntary Sector Management. 

Kerry has previously held a number of board roles in the Voluntary and Community Sector. In March 2025, she was appointed by the Minister for Justice as a Board Member of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. Kerry is also member of the Board of Governors of St Louise’s Comprehensive College. Kerry has been the recipient of a number of awards, receiving an MBE in 2010 in recognition of her services to Housing and Homelessness.

Term of Office:  03-03-2025 – 31-07-2028 (first term)

Liz Bromley

Liz started her career at the Open University in the late 1990s, going on to work in Higher Education for more than 20 years. She has held senior roles at a number of universities, with her last HE role being at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) where she was Deputy Vice Chancellor. In 2019 Liz moved from Higher to Further Education, joining NCG as CEO, a role she has held ever since. 

First in the family to go to University, Liz studied English Language and Literature at Worcester College, Oxford. She is well known across the education sector for strategic leadership and talent development, change management, entrepreneurial leadership, improving the student experience, and for making things happen.

Liz is a Board member of the Newcastle Hospitals Trust (NUTH), and of NCFE, the vocational qualifications organisation. She is a member of the Mulberry Schools MAT and E-ACT, 

Living in Barnard Castle, Liz is Chair of the Witham, the local arts centre and theatre. She is married, has three daughters, a son, a stepson and six grandchildren. She loves to read and to walk in the woods with their spaniel.

Term of office: 29.10.2024 – 31.07.2028 (first term)

Natalie Baker
OU Students Association President

Natalie has recently completed her BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling degree with the OU and was elected to be the 2024-2026 OU Students Association president. She has also previously held the role of Vice President Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (VP EDI) at the Association.

Her work background is rooted in customer service and retail however due to a decline in her health she was unable to work from 2018. It was during this time that the OU came into her life, she started studying in 2020 and it has very much helped to change and shape the person she is today. Being able to study whilst she also navigated life with a disability, being a newly single parent and a pandemic has shown her that anything is possible!

She is committed to the OU’s mission because without the OU her and so many others would not be able to access higher education and she feels honoured to be able to represent the study body in her role as president.

Term of office: 01.08.2024 – 31.07.2026 (first term)

Andrew Kolapo
Student Member on the Council

Andrew is a dedicated professional balancing the pursuit of academic excellence with a successful career in hospitality management. Currently, Andrew is advancing their expertise through a degree in Accounting and Finance at The Open University, where they are focused on achieving their Honour's Degree.

In their role as a Hospitality Manager, Andrew has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and strategic acumen, driving operational efficiency and fostering team collaboration. With a track record of successful project management and process improvement, they have become a key contributor to business growth. At university, Andrew is particularly interested in the intersection of finance and business strategy, with coursework covering the fundamentals of accounting, business management, and financial analysis. This academic foundation is not only enhancing their current professional skills but also laying the groundwork for future leadership roles in finance.

Outside of work and studies, Andrew is deeply interested in grass roots community activates and service, and is always open to connecting with like-minded professionals or exploring new opportunities for collaboration. .

Term of office: 01.08.2024 – 31.07.2026 (first term)

Sas Amoah
Member of the Council

Term of office: 01.08.2021 – 31.07.2029 (second term)

Dr Hossam Kassem
Senate Member of the Council

Hossam graduated with a BA in Law from Damascus University, Syria, in 1999. In 2001 he moved to the UK to study LL.M and PhD in Law, at the University of Nottingham and Swansea University respectively. Hossam then Studied PgDip in Law and read for the Bar at the University of Law in London. He then studied for a PgDip Information Science at UCL.

Hossam has worked within Academic Libraries since 2003, Starting at Swansea University, then UCL, before joining the OU Library In 2018 as a Learning and Teaching Librarian. While working for the OU Library Hossam was the operational lead for the library Live Engagement team, then the Accessibility Team and currently the Academic Liaison Team. Hossam has a special interest in supporting accessibility and ensuring OU disabled students and staff can access the library's electronic resources. Hossam closely works with the Library e-content team and e-content publishers to ensure electronic resources are accessible. The Team’s work benefits disabled users worldwide.

Currently Hossam is on a secondment as a Law academic and an Associate Lecturer at the OU Law school. Hossam has been a member of Senate since 2020, he is also the Senate Representative to the EDI Committee. Hossam is an Accessibility Champion. .

Term of office: 01.08.2023 – 31.07.2026 (first term)

EUR ING Tony Cox TD
AL Elected Member of the Council

Tony’s association with the Open University began as a student in 1989 where after undergraduate studies he gained an MSc in Manufacturing: Management and Technology and an MA in Online and Distance Education. He has worked as an Associate lecturer and Practice Tutor in the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics since 1999. Tony tutors at all undergraduate levels within the School of Computing and Communications as well as performing a range of consultancy roles.

Tony has worked in software engineering since 1970 (!!!) and has performed all roles within the ICT pantheon (often concurrently) across a broad spectrum of industrial sectors. After extensive experience as a CIO he embraced the challenge of joining a Formula One Racing Team with responsibility for car build programme management and process engineering. As a contrast he also served for 21 years in the reserve army, again performing (and enjoying) a wide variety of roles, rising to second in command of an infantry battalion. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the British Computer Society and also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Tony has been actively engaged in staff representation and governance since 2007 and is committed to the OU mission and in particular to improving the student experience. In his spare time Tony enjoys travel, quizzes, theatre and hill walking.

Term of office: 01.07.2023 – 31.07.2028 (first term)

Dr Emma Barker
Senate Member of the Council

Term of office: 01.08.2024 – 31.07.2028 (first term)

Gary Elliott-Cirigottis
Senate Member of the Council

Gary Elliott-Cirigottis is the Director of Library and Knowledge Services and has had a varied and extensive career within the Open University. He has worked across many of the universities operational areas and has had the privilege to be involved in the complete curriculum development and delivery cycle. He has also had extensive experience in research development and delivery.

Gary is a member of staff with a declared disability and is a passionate advocate for equality. He’s recently Co-Chaired the Enabling Staff Network, which provides a voice and representation for disabled staff across the university as well as peer support for disabled staff and their colleagues.

He has extensive external cross sector experience, having recently been a Trustee and member of the Executive Board of The Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL), which promotes awareness of the role of academic libraries in supporting research excellence and student achievement and employability, and represents their views and interests to government, regulators, and stakeholders. His library director role is virtually unique across the sector in its need to deliver library services across our four nations, enabling the broadest possible experience of engagement and development of services .

Term of office: 01.08.2024 – 31.07.2028 (first term)

Dr Kate Hammond
Senate Member of the Council (Associate Lecturer)

After an initial career in secondary school teaching in Southern Africa, England, and Germany, Kate’s association with the Open University began as a part-time student, in 1996, with a PhD in Classics which considered the soft power of poetry in the time of Julius Caesar.  Alongside this, she became a fast-track civil servant, working in DfES (14-19 curriculum and prison education) and then the Cabinet Office (PMDU) where she was the Education account manager for Tony Blair, managing 24 key DfES targets.  

She then moved to Gibraltar, enjoying two years playing saxophone/bassoon with the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. Returning to the UK for the birth of her twins, she then returned to study with the OU as part of a career change into psychology with a BSc in psychology and then Masters in strategic HR management.  She also studied at Kingston University for an MSc in occupational psychology.  After a short research position at Kingston University and teaching at Birkbeck, she became an AL at the OU in 2014.  

Since then, she has worked at all levels in both FASS and FBL, teaching mostly psychology, leadership and research methods, including the MBA research project.  She has been involved as an AL rep for several years, on various committees, and was elected to Senate just over a year ago.  She is very excited to be elected to Council and hopes to bring all her varied experiences to the role.

Term of office: 04.12.2025 – 31.07.2028 (first term)

Dr Magnus Ramage
Senate Member of the Council

Dave Hall
University Secretary

Dave is the University Secretary and therefore Secretary to the Council. Dave's role is to ensure that the main decision making bodies of the University receive appropriate advice and information on which to base their decisions, that they operate within clear terms of reference and that the processes used for decision making are clear and open.

Dr Camilla Briault
Director of the University's Secretarys Office

The Council is supported by a team led by the Director of the University's Secretarys Office and Head of Governance, who has overall responsibility for the operation of the Council including membership and reviews of its effectiveness.

Tel: (01908) 332922
Email: [email protected] 

Dr Laura Chambers
Head of Governance

The Council is supported by a team led by the Director of the University's Secretary's Office and Head of Governance, who has overall responsibility for the operation of the Council including membership and reviews of its effectiveness.

Tel: (01908) 655905
Email: [email protected] 

Sue Thomas 
Working Secretary to the Council

Sue is the Working Secretary for the Council, and is responsible for the management of its meetings and the support of its members.

Tel: (01908) 655083
Email: [email protected]

Suzanne Butler 
Governance Assistant

Suzanne supports the Working Secretary of the Council. Suzanne provides assistance with the preparation of papers and the logistical arrangements for meetings of the Council, Audit Committee, Chairs Committee and the Strategic Planning and Resources Committee.

Tel: (01908) 652023
Email: [email protected]