Since 2014, Alison Johns has served as president and CEO of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education.
She has worked in university management and governance development for over 25 years, most recently as the Greater Education Spending Council for England's head of leadership, governance, and management.
She was named chief executive-designate of the UK sector agency last week.
The agency will be formed next year through the merger of the Leadership Foundation, the Higher Education Academy, and the Equality Challenge Unit.