The Regional Development Group (RDG) acts as the interface of collaboration and partnership between YU member institutions and between universities and other partners in Yorkshire working together on place-based development.
Chair of the RDG
Dr Sarah Want
Director of Partnerships and Regional Engagement at the University of Sheffield
Sarah joined the University in 2006 and was appointed Director of Partnerships and Regional Engagement in June 2017.
Sarah’s team supports the academic delivery of partnerships, regional engagement and Vice-Chancellor-led collaborations where institutional coordination is required. The team leads on the implementation of the University’s Impact, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange strategies, runs the University’s business innovation centre, provides account management support for key partners and delivers support for Student Enterprise. In addition, the team co-ordinates the University’s regional work program and Civic Agreement which covers all aspects of The University’s regional engagement. Under the leadership of Co-Director Professor Vanessa Toulmin the team also leads and delivers activities to improve the vibrancy and cultural life of the city, and provides support for academics to engage the public with The University of Sheffield’s research.
Previously Sarah held various roles at the University within Research & Innovation Services and the Faculty of Science. Before that, her role involved building public and private relationships for Business in the Community. Sarah is an alumnus of the University, with a PhD in civil and structural engineering.
Members of the RDG
Andrew Jones
Head of Careers, Employability and Enterprise at Leeds Arts University
Professor Cathy Barnes
Director of Research and Enterprise at Leeds Beckett University
David Warren
Chief Operating Officer at Leeds Conservatoire
Claire Newhouse
Head of Apprenticeships & Skills at Leeds Trinity University
Dr Lisa Mooney
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation at Sheffield Hallam University
Professor John Bridgeman
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Transfer) at the University of Bradford
Sue Cooke
CEO of 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, University of Huddersfield
Maggie McGowan
Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Hull
Dr Ceri Williams
Director of Research and Innovation Development at the University of Leeds
Mark Gunthrope
Head of Economic Development at the University of York
Marc Fleetham
Director of Business Development and Knowledge Exchange at York St John University
