As IHE's Chief Executive, Alex represents the interests of the UK's independent providers of higher education, professional training and pathways at the highest levels of Government and other external stakeholders. He has led IHE since 2011, growing its membership, services, profile and impact to reach its current position as the second largest representative body for UK higher education and a recognised champion of diversity, flexibility, innovation, student focus and collaboration within the sector.
Alex is widely known as an expert on higher education policy and international education. He helped to establish the All Party Parliamentary Group for International Students in 2016, and served as a Trustee of UKCISA (the UK Council for International Student Affairs) for 10 years. He has been a core sector member of the UK Government's Education Sector Advisory Group and TEF Delivery Group, as well as the UK Quality Council for Higher Education, and has given expert evidence to Committees of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Alex oversees IHE’s strategic development, advises its Board of Directors, leads the professional staff team, manages its day-to-day activities, and represents members at external meetings and committees. Before taking the helm at IHE, Alex worked in IT and as communications manager at the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education. He holds a Bachelor’s in Music and a Master’s in Philosophy.