Study Group’s James Pitman announced as new IHE Chair

James Pitman, Study Group’s Managing Director, UK & Europe, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board at IHE.

James has served on the IHE Board for a number of years, most recently in the position of Vice Chair, and has been instrumental in guiding our work in key areas such as member growth and international education.

James is the Managing Director, Higher Education UK & Europe, at Study Group, having joined the organisation in 2007.  He has held a variety of senior international roles in the music industry and education publishing. James is a member of the British Council’s HE Sector Group, a founding member of Destination for Education, and founding advisor to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Students.

Welcoming the announcement of his appointment to Chair, James Pitman said:

'Education is arguably the most powerful tool available to an individual and to society to improve lives and open up opportunity. Almost all of the ambitions we have as a country are underpinned by education - a vibrant economy and enhanced productivity, innovation, a skilled workforce, excellent healthcare and a thriving creative sector. Independent Higher Education members make an essential contribution to each of these, supporting talented people from the UK and overseas to pursue their educational ambitions and future career success.

We also work closely with publicly funded universities, industry and government to offer specialist provision and to provide a channel for the wider national and global participation so essential to the UK and the world. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent this superb sector as Chair, and to help play our part in making independent higher education an even more powerful UK success story.''

James succeeds Roxanne Stockwell, who served as Chair through some of the most challenging times for UK higher education. Her dedication and contribution to IHE have been invaluable and we are grateful for the considerable time she has given to IHE.

Reflecting on her term as Chair, Roxanne said: ''I have enjoyed my time as Chair very much, especially at such an important period for IHE and indeed UK higher education as a whole. The whole sector was reshaped in 2017 following new legislation and I am very proud of what IHE has achieved to help support the independent sector. I am delighted to welcome the new Chair, James Pittman, who brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to all forms of higher education and the students it benefits. I look forward to continuing on the Board to support him, and IHE, as we continue to evolve and support innovative members and their students.''

Commenting on James's appointment, Alex Proudfoot, IHE’s Chief Executive, said:

"I would like to congratulate James on his appointment as Chair of the Board. While he is rightly recognised across the sector as a tireless advocate for international education, James has proven himself to be no less of a champion for IHE's mission to promote student choice, diversity and innovation so that higher education can better meet the UK's needs today and in the future. As Vice Chair James was already known to his fellow Board Members as a trusted advisor, clear-sighted strategist and reliable colleague, so it is no surprise that they have chosen him to guide the organisation through our next exciting chapter.

My heartfelt thanks go also to Roxanne for the unstinting support, creative thinking and robust challenge that have been the hallmarks of our governance during her four years as Chair. IHE today is all the stronger for her personal commitment to the cause."