Emma Potts: Interim Chief Operating Officer and Â鶹´«Ã½ Secretary
Biography
Emma joined the Â鶹´«Ã½ as Interim Chief Operating Officer and Â鶹´«Ã½ Secretary in February 2024.
Emma holds an undergraduate degree in Music from the Â鶹´«Ã½ of Manchester and has 35 years’ experience in university administration. She worked at Sussex in senior interim roles between 2020 and 2023, including as Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Â鶹´«Ã½ Secretary, and as Interim Director of Research and Enterprise Services. After leaving Sussex in 2023 she was Interim Â鶹´«Ã½ Secretary at Cardiff Metropolitan Â鶹´«Ã½.
Before arriving at Sussex in 2020, Emma held permanent roles at Â鶹´«Ã½ College London (UCL), Oxford and Buckingham. She started her career at UCL, working for a number of years in academic Registry roles and from there she moved to the Â鶹´«Ã½ of Oxford and undertook a number of senior roles within Student Administration and Services, with her last role there as Academic Registrar. From there she moved to the Â鶹´«Ã½ of Buckingham, to be Chief Operating Officer and Â鶹´«Ã½ Secretary before moving into an interim career.
Role
As Interim Chief Operating Officer, Emma is responsible for a number of the Professional Services divisions. Professional Services staff provide expertise across the Â鶹´«Ã½ to support the delivery of our strategic aspirations. The divisions aim to provide exceptional support to schools and departments, and services directly to students; alumni and staff; to other clients of the Â鶹´«Ã½, including the local and regional community; and to a range of partners, friends and supporters.
As Interim Â鶹´«Ã½ Secretary, Emma is Secretary to the Â鶹´«Ã½'s Council and responsible for governance matters. Emma is a member of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Executive Team, Â鶹´«Ã½ Leadership Forum and chairs a number of Â鶹´«Ã½ Groups and Committees.