UNEE Vice-Chancellors
Professor Chris Day CBE, Vice-Chancellor Newcastle University
Professor Day is currently Chair of Universities for North East England and a Non Executive Director for North and South Tees Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. He is former Chair of the Russell Group and former Chair of the Board of the Office for Strategic Co-ordination of Health Research (OSCHR) and of the N8 Group of research universities. He is a Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear.
Professor Karen O’ Brien
Vice-Chancellor and Warden Durham University
Andy Long
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Northumbria University
Sir David Bell KCB DL
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive University of Sunderland
Professor Mark Simpson
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Teesside University
UNEE Executive Group
Dionne Lee
Head of Partnership
Dionne joined UNEE as its first Head of Partnership in January 2025 and is responsible for managing the partnership and leading UNEE’s advocacy and engagement.
She previously worked at Teesside University for 16 years where she was Policy and Public Affairs Manager, leading the University’s public affairs, advocacy and political engagement activity. From 2023 to 2025 she was also Special Advisor to the UK2070 Commission Teesside Taskforce, working with Commissioners to develop a programme of activity and lead the delivery of Taskforce projects on a regional, national and international level.
She is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts.
Professor Jane Robinson
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Engagement and Place, Newcastle University
Jane is Pro Vice-Chancellor Engagement and Place at Newcastle University where she leads the Engagement & Place Strategy, focussing on building partnerships to enhance the societal benefit of the university. She is also executive lead for sustainability and social justice. Previously, Jane was Durham University’s Chief Operating Officer with strategic oversight of operations and external engagement.
Before taking up her position at Durham, Jane was Chief Executive of Gateshead Council, playing a central role in the culture-led regeneration of the borough. Jane has also held leadership positions in the cultural sector, including Director of External Relations at Arts Council England.
Jane is a Deputy Lieutenant for Tyne & Wear and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She chairs the North East Confederation for British Industry (CBI) and Insights North East and holds a range of non-executive positions, including the Centre for Cities, the Centre for Life in Newcastle, North East Museums, and Energy Central Campus in Northumberland.
Dan Monnery
Pro Vice Chancellor, Northumbria University UNEE Executive Group Chair
Dan Monnery is Pro Vice-Chancellor of External Affairs at Northumbria University’s. His primary responsibilities are developing and overseeing delivery of the University Strategy and leading the University’s role in place.
Dan spent the early part of his career in a variety of roles at HM Treasury including Private Secretary to the Chief Secretary. He helped to set up the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and to establish the London congestion charge. He also took forward the Treasury’s work on reforming management of the UK radio spectrum, the switchover to digital television and the establishment of the Office of Communications.
Prior to joining Northumbria University Dan was Deputy Regional Director (Economy and Strategy) at Government Office for the North East and Head of Partnership for Newcastle and Gateshead Councils where he developed a programme of practical measures to strengthen the partnership between the two councils.
Professor Janet Stewart
Executive Dean, Durham University
Janet Stewart is Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Durham University, where she is also the executive lead for University Library and Collections and shares responsibility for delivery of the University’s Civic and Regional Engagement strategy.
She joined Durham in 2014 from the University of Aberdeen as Professor of German and Visual Culture and founding Director of the Centre for Visual Arts and Culture. From 2015 to 2018 she served as Head of School of Modern Languages and Cultures.
Professor Alex Hope
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Sunderland
Professor Alex Hope is Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Technology at the University of Sunderland and Professor of Sustainable and Responsible Business. He leads the faculty, driving excellence in business and technology and advancing sustainability in higher education. Alex joined Sunderland in January 2026, prior to this he was Associate PVC International and Educational Partnerships at Northumbria University.
His teaching, research, and consultancy focus on responsible business, organisational sustainability and CSR. He is also a board member of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME), Co-Chair of its Climate Change and Environment Working Group, and Vice-Chair of the AACSB Responsible Management Education Affinity Group, advancing sustainability in management education bridging academic insight with practical solutions.
Professor Stephen Cummings
Pro Vice Chancellor, Teesside University
Professor Stephen Cummings is responsible for Teesside’s research and knowledge exchange portfolio, prior to taking up this role he was Dean of the School of Science & Engineering from 2016, Dean of the School of Health & Life Sciences from 2019 and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation from 2021.
He holds a personal Chair in Microbiology and has researched and published extensively on the microbial ecology in a number of environments and disease states, including, bioremediation of contaminated soils, cystic fibrosis and infections of preterm infants.
He is currently chair of the UK2070 Commission’s Teesside Taskforce and a director of Teesside University Enterprise and Innovation (TUEI) venture. Previously he was a member of the Council of Governors for the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.