University Executive Team
The University Executive Team makes key decisions on behalf of the University and sets direction for the running of the institution.
Click on any image to view Executive Team biographies.
Visit 'More About our Leadership' to learn more about our University Executive Team.
Professor Anthony Woodman
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive
Anthony joined the University of Hertfordshire on 1 September 2025 as its fourth Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive. He is responsible for the decision making affecting the delivery of strategic and operational plans and performance, the day-to-day running of the University, it’s internal structure and organisation, and the interface with external bodies and agencies.
Having graduated from Sunderland Polytechnic in 1986, Anthony gained a MSc in Experimental Pathology & Toxicology in 1987 and a PhD in 1993 both from the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, University of London.
He was Professor of Translational Medicine at Cranfield University until 2007, and more recently Provost at the University of West London. His research in molecular oncology and particularly the role of biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic tools has been undertaken in collaboration with a number of international pharmaceutical companies.
Dr Matthew Andrews
Incoming Secretary and Registrar
Matthew will join the University in June 2026, bringing extensive senior leadership experience from across the sector, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Experience at the University of Gloucestershire, where he was previously University Secretary and Registrar. Earlier in his career he held senior roles at Oxford Brookes University and Durham University.
Matthew will bring deep expertise in governance, academic administration and higher education policy, and has championed initiatives to widen access to higher education. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
Tim Vorley
Incoming Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Currently working at Oxford Brookes University as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Tim will join the University of Hertfordshire in August 2026 as Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
With more than 20 years’ experience in higher education as a leader, researcher and teacher, Tim brings deep expertise in innovation, enterprise and partnership working.
Previously, Tim led the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Oxford Brookes Business School, overseeing significant institutional change, strengthening interdisciplinary research, and building strong relationships with commercial, civic and public sector partners.
An economic geographer, Tim’s research focuses on entrepreneurship and regional economic development. He was awarded an OBE in 2022 and is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
Alistair Moffat
Group Chief Financial Officer
After a career in senior positions in the transport industry, Alistair was appointed Group Chief Financial Officer in 2009. He has responsibility for all aspects of financial management within the University Group, including financial control, statutory reporting, treasury, tax, insurance, procurement and commercial financial support for the academic community.
His role incorporates Board responsibility for the management of the University's estate and sport. He is a director of UH Holdings Limited, which oversees the commercial subsidiaries in the Group, and is a director of our subsidiary companies.
Alistair was joint chair of the London and South-East British Universities Finance Directors’ Group (BUFDG) from 2016-2021.
Dr Charmagne Barnes
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience)
Charmagne joined the University in February 2024 as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience. She leads strategy and performance, as well as policy development and delivery, in learning and teaching, student experience, quality assurance and student union relationships. She is also responsible for the University’s performance in external metrics such as the National Student Survey (NSS), the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) and the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
Charmagne was previously Pro Vice-Chancellor Dean of the College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare at the University of West London.
Professor Wendy Wills
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise)
Wendy was appointed in November 2023, and has a wealth of research and enterprise leadership expertise. She successfully co-led the largest Unit of Assessment submission for the Research Excellence Framework 2021, with her own research contributing to a impact case study.
She is responsible for leading University research and the Research Office, chairing the University Research Committee, developing international research partnerships, and overseeing the Doctoral College, which is a community of more than 900 research degree students. She is also responsible for leading Business, Enterprise and Innovation and its alignment with research.
Wendy joined the University in 2005. Her previous role was Director of the Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care (CRIPACC), and Associate Dean (Research) for the School of Health and Social Work.
She is the Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) for the East of England.
Stephi Brett-Lee
Chief Marketing Officer
With over 15 years of leadership experience in marketing, communications, and partnerships, Stephi is a member of the University’s executive team and spearheads Herts’ marketing and student recruitment strategy, alongside playing a key role in advancing the University’s partnership agenda.
Previously holding several senior roles across major organisations including The Department for Work and Pensions, BNY Mellon, and Sainsbury’s, Stephi most recently served as Marketing Director at Asda, where she led media, digital and brand communications.
Stephi has a wealth of experience and strategic insight to support the University’s continued growth and global reputation, championing a bold and distinctive brand, while fostering deeper collaboration with industry, civic and international partners.