Hello fellow AUA members,

Being an AUA Trustee is a great honour but it is also really good fun. I’ve enjoyed the seven (I think!) years I have been involved as a member but also served as Vice-Chair and Chair. As well as helping to lead some of the work of the Association you also get to see the huge contribution that is made by so many volunteer members over the range of activities we offer and the passion that they have for this. Although the last 18 months has been a huge challenge for everyone the AUA has navigated its way through and looks like we are heading in the right direction. Conference will return next year and it will be amazing to see old friends and make new ones in Manchester in 2022.

I’d like to take this opportunity to sing the praises of the staff in the AUA Office. They have also had to work through Covid and see a number of colleagues (who are also friends) move on. The support provided to the Board and me directly has been immense and they really do make the AUA tick. I’ve shared many amazing times with them since I joined the Board and, by the time this is published, should have been up to Manchester to see them. They are all stars.

Chris

Dear AUA Members

I’m so thrilled to become the AUA’s Vice-Chair in our Diamond Jubilee year. This is both an exciting and challenging time for the HE and FE sectors but the AUA is well placed to support all our members in addressing these challenges and thereby developing their careers. There is always more that we can do though and I’m looking forward to be able to use my own experience, working closely with my colleagues on the Board of Trustees and the fantastic AUA staff, to implement our Diamond Jubilee Strategy and Vision.

Steve

Introducing our new Trustees…

Oliver Cooper FAUA

The AUA has been instrumental in my professional development, having provided me with opportunities to engage with a variety of CPD including a study tour, mentoring, the PgCert and networking. I am extremely grateful to the AUA and fully support their vision of professionalising administration in HE. I am delighted to be taking up my appointment as Lay Trustee on the Board and I look forward to giving back to the AUA and hopefully supporting AUA members through the board.

Oliver

Heidi Flanagan MAUA

I’m really looking forward to working with the AUA as a Trustee over the coming years. I think that the contribution of diverse perspectives in senior decision-making forums in HE is so important, especially in times of change.

This is an exciting time for innovation and opportunity for membership organisations in HE. I bring my strategic marketing experience and expertise in customer-centric approaches to the AUA’s Governance team.

Heidi

Sol Miah MAUA

I am delighted to have been appointed to the Board of Trustees at the AUA. The initial attraction was that the AUA is the professional association for HE Professionals, with a focus on connecting and developing its members. The pandemic has tested our members and the HE sector in many ways. The AUA is well placed to support staff and Universities to prepare us for the future. I hope that I can use my experience in Education to help the AUA develop and continue to support its members in facing the challenges ahead.

Sol