We want the North East to be known as the home of real opportunity. But right now, too many children are held back, growing up in poverty. Our North East Child Poverty Unit will bring the region together to fight poverty and give every child the opportunity they deserve.

While September and it being autumn is fairly depressing, I have just remembered that at least @SundayMargot and I will be able to get a pumpkin spice latte at the next team meeting day!🎃

After the insight brief from OfS on sub-contracted provision, Jim Dickinson asks what happens now? Importantly, who is securing the student (and tax payer) interest now when vast profits are being made. wonkhe.com/blogs/ofs-insi…

The programme for The Festival of Higher Education dropped today. Two non-stop days, four jammed stages... so much to see and do. We’ll have a major discussion about what a new government means for higher education and, in at least fifty different ways, ask how the sector can

Cracking Advance HE Student Governors event today with all the big names - Aaron Porter Mike Ratcliffe Livia Scott LE Education London Met Uni. Sector's future in good hands on this evidence.

Had the pleasure of chairing the annual Advance HE session to support new student governors. The energy, ideas & commitment was fantastic. Huge thanks to Jim Dickinson Livia Scott LE Education Mike Ratcliffe London Met Uni for their sessions Wishing this fantastic cohort good luck!

More reassuring: OIA have information for ABA students whose courses have closed, including those who have transferred. oiahe.org.uk/resources-and-…

it's my usual yearly public service announcement for SUs et al: PLEASE UPDATE YOUR WEBSITES TO DISPLAY YOUR CURRENT OFFICERS. PLEASE PUT THEIR EMAILS ON THE WEBSITE. If I, who has spent more time than anyone needs to on most SU websites can't find them, neither can students!!

Students may have unrealistic expectations of the financial support universities can currently provide them, new wonk corner from me. wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/st…

Delighted to join the Wonkhe pod this week with Livia Scott @AndyYouell and Jim Dickinson to discuss all things HE policy. Top marks to the Wonkhe team for their adorable pets showing up on calls this week.

The NHS policy consultation is objectively so student Union trying to make submitting motions to student council easier coded i’m obsessed.

Back in the promised land for the launch of Universities for North East England this morning. This network feels like a long time coming, congrats to all those involved in getting it off the ground✨