The Senate

The Senate is the governing academic body of the Institute of Professional Development, providing strategic oversight, quality assurance, and academic leadership across all of our activities. It plays a central role in safeguarding the integrity, credibility, and relevance of everything we endorse.

The Senate is composed of a diverse group of academics and senior leaders in their respective fields, who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our endeavours. With their expertise and dedication to excellence, our Senate members play an integral role in shaping our vision and ensuring we uphold the highest standards of quality and innovation.

Institute Chair and Directors

Professor Ruth Ashford

Professor Ruth Ashford has over 28 years’ experience in senior leadership roles within UK higher education, including Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean at Manchester Metropolitan University and Executive Dean at the University of Chester. She has extensive experience leading large business schools and shaping strategy across teaching, research and professional engagement.

A former Chief Examiner and Senator of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), she played a key role in the international launch of the CIM professional syllabus across more than 90 countries. Professor Ashford has also contributed to national higher education standards through work with the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and has published widely in the fields of marketing, management and leadership.

Dr David Perrin

Dr David Perrin is an academic specialising in professional development, accreditation and work-based learning in higher education. For over two decades he has led one of Europe’s largest accreditation frameworks for adult learners in employment, recognised with multiple sector awards and commended by the Quality Assurance Agency.

Formerly a lecturer in politics and applied economics, he later became Director of the Centre for Work Related Studies at the University of Chester, leading the development of the university’s work-based learning and professional development programmes. Dr Perrin has published widely on professional development and continues to contribute to accreditation and executive education initiatives.

The Senate Team

Professor George Lodorfos, Leeds Business School

Professor George Lodorfos is Dean of Leeds Business School with over 20 years’ leadership in higher education, specialising in accreditation, entrepreneurship, SME development and executive education across UK and international institutions.

Professor Adrian Wright, Manchester Metropolitan University

Adrian Wright is Associate Dean at Manchester Metropolitan University, specialising in work and employment research, accreditation and professional development, with extensive experience in academic leadership, research funding and industry collaboration.

Professor Chris Pyke

Professor Chris Pyke is an emeritus professor and former Executive Dean with senior leadership experience across multiple universities, specialising in education, professional development and organisational leadership.

Professor Sharon Mavin, Newcastle University

Professor Sharon Mavin is an internationally recognised scholar in leadership and gender studies, with senior leadership roles in UK business schools and expertise in organisational development, research and executive education.

Dr Shobana Nair Partington, Manchester Metropolitan University

Dr Shobana Nair Partington is Academic Director of Accreditations at Manchester Metropolitan University, leading global accreditation strategy and quality assurance across internationally recognised frameworks including AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA.

Professor Mike Thomas, Morecambe Bay University Hospitals NHS Trust

Professor Mike Thomas is currently Chair of Morecambe Bay University Hospitals NHS Trust, Chair of the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Provider Collaborative Board, and Chair of Making Space, a national mental health and wellbeing charity. He also holds a number of NHS, welfare and educational roles at Regional and National level.

Lady Saadiya Khan Ahmad

Lady Saadiya Khan Ahmad, University of East London

Lady Saadiya Khan Ahmad is Head of Regional Partnerships in the Vice Chancellor’s Office at the University of East London, with over 20 years’ experience in criminal litigation, senior leadership roles across careers, employability and legal advice, and extensive national and international board experience focused on partnerships, equality, diversity, inclusion and health inequalities.

Fellow Researchers

Dr Ian Grime

Dr Ian Grime is a marketing and education consultant with over 25 years’ experience in higher education, specialising in strategy, branding, curriculum development and professional development.

Alex Firmin

Alex Firmin is an education consultant specialising in leadership and organisational development, with experience delivering programmes across sectors including NHS, NATO and higher education and a background as a British Army officer.

Professor Ilaria Boncori

Ilaria is a Professor at Essex Business School researching social justice in organisations, focusing on identity, race, gender, sexuality, and embodied experiences, including transgender inclusion, parenting and miscarriage at work.

Dr Garry Blair

Dr. Garry Blair is an academic and practitioner specialising in technology, project, and business management, with experience at Manchester Metropolitan and Keele, plus journal reviewing and editorial board roles.

The Senate: Governance and Oversight

The Senate is responsible for setting and maintaining the academic standards that underpin the Institute’s work. It ensures that all endorsed programmes, certifications, and partnerships align with our mission to develop capable, credible, and future-ready professionals.

Working in close collaboration with partners and stakeholders, the Senate: reviews and approves all endorsement applications, sets academic frameworks, policies and quality benchmarks, monitors ongoing programme performance and outcomes and ensures consistency and fairness in decision-making.

This robust governance structure allows us to uphold high standards while remaining responsive to the evolving needs of industry and education.

The Senate: Commitment to Academic Rigour

At the heart of the Senate’s work is an unwavering commitment to academic rigour. Every programme we endorse is subject to a thorough and transparent review process, designed to ensure it meets the highest standards of quality, relevance, and impact.

We place particular emphasis on: evidence-based content grounded in current research, clearly defined learning outcomes and assessment methods, practical application and real-world relevance and continuous improvement through regular review.

This commitment ensures that learners, employers, and partners can trust that any Institute-endorsed programme delivers meaningful, high-quality professional development.

Thought Leadership