I joined the University of Bristol as Head of School in October 2017.

After studying mathematics for a BA at Oxford, I moved to Cambridge to do my PhD, which was in abstract algebra. I then spent five years with Logica (a UK software house) at their R&D lab, where I developed a wide range of neural network applications and also worked in formal methods. 

I joined Aston University as a Lecturer in Applied Mathematics in 1995.  In my 22 years there I took on a wide range of different positions. In my last year, I was the Acting Executive Dean for the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and at the University level I was Associate PVC International for China.  I was a 50th Anniversary Professor of Systems Analytics: one of a small group of professors to receive a special award on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Aston as a University. I was formerly Head of Computer Science (2009-2016), Head of Mathematics (2012-2015) and Associate Dean for Research in the School (2006-2008).  

I led the introduction of a range of innovations at Aston: a university-wide research publication repository; work-based Degree Apprenticeships recruiting about 100 students per year, with the first graduates in 2017; and a student-led software company to provide on-campus experience of industrial-standard software development.