UCAS Media Limited

• Dr Ben Calvert (Chair)
• Shuvo Saha
• Paul Sweeney
• Richard Taylor
• Dr Jo Saxton CBE
• Kevin Allison
• David Penney

Dr Ben Calvert (Chair)

Vice-Chancellor
University of South Wales (USW)

Outline of Ben Calvert's career

Ben started his academic career as an undergraduate studying social sciences and later a PhD focusing on British tabloid press coverage of share ownership and privatisation during the 1980's. He started his career as a lecturer at the University of Central England, teaching media and cultural studies. Later, he was a Senior Lecturer at the University of St. Mark and St. John, Plymouth and in 2002 moved to the University of Gloucestershire where he would eventually become Dean of the Faculty of Media, Arts and Technology.

Ben published in the fields of pedagogy and the study of television and as a Head of Department and later Dean was involved in the bidding team that secured Skillset Media Academy status. He oversaw a significant development of the portfolio and growth of student numbers. He was also university lead on the successful development of a University Technical College at Berkeley Green, in partnership with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. Ben also trained as a QAA reviewer for their Review of Educational Oversight method and was an external examiner in various institutions.

Ben joined the University of South Wales in 2015 as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Learning, Teaching and Student Experience implementing a new Student Experience Plan and overseeing significant improvement in student metrics across the University. Ben has played important external roles within Wales and the UK including as a member of the UK Teaching Excellence Awards Panel, of the Advance HE Steering Group on External Examining, HEFCW’s Student Opportunity and Achievement Committee and the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment.

He was Chair of Universities Wales Learning and Teaching Advisory Group for several years, helping to facilitate sector-wide work on learning and teaching, retention, and learner analytics and he acts as Chair of the Welsh Government COVID Guidance Group working with government, public health officials and other stakeholders in developing frameworks for the continuation of learning through the pandemic. He has been a member of the Board of Governors at Bridgend College, at his local primary school and in his role as Vice-Chancellor, on the Boards of Merthyr Tydfil College and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Ben is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. 

Committee membership: Nominations Committee

Shuvo Saha

Shuvo Saha worked as Chief Growth Officer for Kite Insights and was charged with building 'The Climate School' – a programme to equip thousands of employees to drive the 'climate transformation' of their companies.

Prior to Kite, Shuvo spent 15 years at Google. He conceived and built the 'Google Digital Academy' to support the digital transformation of Google's top customers. He has extensive experience in building education programmes, enabling executives to change the way they work and lead people-centric transformation of their organisations. Shuvo also led Google UK's business with the Consumer Goods industry, and grew revenues +800% during his tenure.

His 25 year career started in P&G brand management, followed by a spell in consulting on marketing strategy & organisation capability before joining Google in 2006. Outside of work he's a trustee and adviser to educational charities, social enterprises & startups.

Committee membership: Nominations Committee

Paul Sweeney  

Paul is currently Managing Director at Sky, leading the consumer financial services business, having previously run Sky Mobile and the NOW TV streaming service. He previously spent 18 years at Procter & Gamble in various marketing and commercial leadership positions across multiple sectors and regions. Paul has a Natural Sciences degree from Cambridge University. 

Richard Taylor

Richard previously worked at the University of Leicester as Director of Corporate Affairs and Planning before becoming the Deputy Registrar. Prior to this Richard held posts at Durham and Loughborough Universities.

He grew up in Barnsley, South Yorkshire and attended Barnsley College before studying at Durham University where he was Students’ Union President in 1994-95. Richard was one of the prime leaders behind the successful search for King Richard III’s remains in Leicester City in 2012.

Richard became the Chief Operating Officer at Loughborough University in September 2013.

Richard is responsible for the Strategic Leadership of the University’s non-academic operation and support services.

He is responsible for all the Professional Services teams including Finance, HR, Estates, and IT Services.

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2024 UCAS Media Board meetings

• Tues 5 March
• Weds 5 June
• Tues 19 November