Reps

Staff Forum Members

Are you interested in volunteering to make a difference? 

Find out more about joining US

Professor Parveen Yaqoob 

Deputy Vice Chancellor & Pro-Vice-Chancellor

Daniel Wallace – Co-Chair

Representing: Academic Schools

I love working at the Henley Business School and the University of Reading, and have had a great experience since joining in 2018 – though I know that this isn’t always the case for all of our colleagues, and that needs to change.

That’s why I joined the staff forum; to make a positive difference for colleagues who face challenges and difficulty, and to give a voice to those staff who feel overlooked or like they’re excluded from the wider University community, so that they can instead focus on making the most of their roles (and maybe even look forward to getting into work every day!).

Lisa Powles – Co-Chair

Occupational Health Administrator.

Representing: University Functions

I joined the Staff Forum at beginning of 2018, having only been at the university six months.  Shortly after I joined the university the results from the staff survey were published and being new I was really interested in how I could help build on the working experience for all colleagues.  I also felt it was a great way to get involved with colleagues from other departments I would not normally have a chance to work with.

I am proud with what the Staff Forum has achieved over the last few years, and really enjoy getting involved in some of the projects we have become involved with, especially the Get Together events where everyone has a chance to get out of their office and meet some new people and learn more about the University as a whole.

Sarah Hinton – Deputy Chair (Currently on maternity leave)

Student Support Coordinator in Student Services.

Representing: University Functions

I joined the University in March 2018 as a Programme Administrator and am now a Student Support Coordinator in the Earley Gate Support Centre. In July 2019 I became a member of the Staff Forum to help represent the views of various colleagues who felt that previously their voices had been overlooked, particularly during recent periods of change. Since becoming a member, I have valued the opportunity to meet other members of staff across the university and to work together to help improve the general working experience here at Reading.

Lee Allan-Smith

Project Set-Up Manager – Research Services

As a member of the Staff Forum, I want to use my experience of different institutions to help my colleagues and support staff to have a voice, I have always been interested in the wellbeing of staff and colleagues and I am very aware that through the pandemic peoples priorities have changed and I think that the staff forum should be a way of exploring these changes in order to see which ones the University needs to be mindful of and which ones it should act on.
I joined the University during the pandemic in 2021 which was interesting and I look forward to meeting many more people as part of the staff forum

Rhodri Buttrick

Business Analyst.

Representing: University Functions

As a member of the Staff Forum, I want to contribute to the already strong sense of community that underpins life at the Reading.  I see my role as listening to, understanding and representing the concerns of my colleagues, while also supporting to the overall objectives of the University.

I graduated from the University of Reading with a philosophy degree in 2012 and returned in 2017 to work on the IT Service Desk.  Between times, I have worked in radio as a presenter, producer and event host (BBC, commercial radio and Kiss FM Portugal).  I also have experience in digital communications, including social media, blogs, podcasts and video. I contribute to the wider Reading community as a volunteer at Hospital Radio Reading and run a monthly comedy club.

Catherine Fleming

I joined the University in November 2018 as an administrator for the Accommodation Contract Management Office. This is a very busy role in a small team! I am looking forward to working with the team in the Staff Forum to support my colleagues from all across the University.

Gemma Knight

Representing: Estates, Campus Services.

I have worked at the University since October 2008; I started off in Earley Gate at Science and Technology Centre and The Enterprise Centre as a Buildings Assistant for eight years, and then changed roles to Building Support Officer in Estates, Campus Services, coming up to six years.

I joined the staff forum in January 2023 after attending the Staff Forum drop-in session on 1^st December at London Road with John Jack. It felt great to be part of it, to listen to people, to understand what they are saying, take notes, give some feedback with the knowledge that I already have, and to be able to put forward to the UEB the peoples suggestions with the hope that some of them may be successful at the end of it.

I look forward to working with the Staff Forum team and supporting the University community.

Katy Lanxon

I joined the University in 2014 and currently I work in the Estates team as a Space Management and Data Officer managing the data for our buildings and estate and occupation needs. I’m also involved with the Wellbeing Peer Support Network as wellbeing is something I’ve always felt needs to be valued for a healthy and accepted culture.

I’ve joined the Staff Forum to better meet colleagues from other departments to help represent their voice on how we can do better and provide support for any concerns and issues. I’m also looking forward to having the opportunity to work with likeminded individuals on projects that will make the University a better place to work for all.

From a personal perspective, I really enjoy walking and I’m passionate about nature – I frequently bird watch, volunteer at a Hedgehog Rescue and I’m a staff rep for the UoR Hedgehog Society. I also enjoy getting my hands dirty with gardening and with arts and crafts, such as ceramics.

Leanne Ley

Department Manager: ICMA Centre

I have worked at the University a long time and over the past year have observed the fantastic work the staff forum has done and decided it was time to get more involved.   In February 2021 I joined the Staff Forum and am proud to work with likeminded colleagues who want to represent our community.  In my role at the ICMA Centre I work closely with both professional and academic staff, as well as a lot of stakeholders and hope to share information and engage with all these groups to work towards improving our working lives and community.

Kevin Pring

Previous to joining the University in February 2021, as a Tutor for Senior Leader Apprentices, I worked for many years in Leadership and Management Development, enabling and empowering people to achieve personal objectives and organisational outcomes

During the Covid lockdowns, at a previous employer, I was asked to organise online social events to keep people connected partly because my Director knew it was something I could do but mostly because they knew it was something I value

With that in mind, my main reasons for wanting to be a Rep are (I like to think) I’m community spirited and hope to add to people’s enjoyment of working for the University

In addition, I’d like the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from other departments

Regarding interests outside of work, in addition to being a loving husband and father, I’m still passionate about travel, playing guitar, listening to music (mostly Absolute 80s and 90s these days) and, increasingly, poetry

Caroline Saunby

Front Desk – ICMA Centre

Representing: Academic Schools

I joined the University of Reading in 2004 and work at the ICMA Centre, Henley Business School.  My role is administrative support and I consider the most important part of that is to be first point of contact whether that be for students, staff, or guests.  I am very often the first-person students and guests see upon arrival; I enjoy chatting with them and making them feel welcome.

After attending the recent discussion sessions held by the staff forum, I joined the team as a Staff Representative.  I was really encouraged by what the Staff Forum does and want to be able to share information and promote open communication for all colleagues.