Clare Gough
Associate Consultant
c.gough@reading.ac.uk
A professional senior leader specialising in the student lifecycle, academic governance and student spaces strategy.
Clare joined SUMS in May 2023 having had professional services leadership roles within four HEIs drawn from different mission groups and over 25 years in the sector.
Her experience is wide ranging and includes academic standards and integrity, plus using market intelligence as a driver for meaningful academic portfolio shifts without undermining QA processes. She understands the executive environment and has worked with Councils, and Executive Boards on effective academic governance and impactful ceremonial events.
In recent years her work has also been student-centric. She can advise Universities on the changing needs and expectations of students so that organisations can develop student spaces and services that make a difference to their students’ experience. She has extensive experience in large parts of the linear student lifecycle from registration to graduation. Clients can be assured of insights in student support and wellbeing, and academic infrastructure (curriculum, examinations, timetabling). For the last 2 years Clare has chaired the National ARC Practitioners Group centred on Timetabling but she has also created innovative sector firsts in graduate trainee schemes.
Clare has worked within the sector during uncertain times and changing market conditions and understands the importance of innovation supported by sound strategic leadership of people, processes and policy.