Dr Mark Edwards
Associate Consultant
mark.edwards@sums.ac.uk
Mark brings significant expertise in designing and implementing large organisational change and restructuring projects within universities. He is highly skilled at working with stakeholders, building trust amongst managerial and operational staff, and developing and implementing workable solutions for complex issues.
Mark joined SUMS after working in higher education for over 15 years. He has held a variety of research and strategic project management roles – most recently, as Business Change and Project Manager. He has overseen large organisational change projects at both the Universities of Glasgow and Bristol, which has seen him successfully manage the reorganisation and creation of academic Departments, Schools, Faculties and Colleges across medical and life sciences, social sciences, and arts.
He has a strong and broad understanding of many areas of university business, including university and academic governance, professional services design and service delivery, IT systems infrastructure (HR, student, finance), student administration, and research management. Working alongside senior leaders, he works effectively with a wide range of professional services teams to review and enhance processes and ways of working. He has overseen large recruitment campaigns, administered research centre and grant applications, and contributed to the establishment of a Trials Centre.
Previously, Mark was a Trial Manager at the University of Bristol, managing health-based RCTs in adolescent populations. His PhD examined the impact of partnership working in primary schools in County Durham, where he was also a Graduate Teaching Assistant and College Tutor. He established an award-winning research-based outreach project (FAB Kids) and has PRINCE2 Practitioner and APMG Change Management qualifications.
Away from work, Mark is a keen road cyclist and runner. He is currently building a house in the South of Mauritius.