Governing Board
Strategic leadership for educational excellence & student success
University Governance
Effective governance is fundamental to the development and long-term success of ISBM London. Our Governing Board provides strategic oversight and leadership, supporting the University’s commitment to delivering a high-quality academic experience, promoting equality of opportunity, safeguarding student interests and ensuring that students are supported to achieve positive outcomes.
The Governing Board brings together individuals with experience across higher education, business, professional practice and organisational leadership. This breadth of expertise provides a balanced perspective on the strategic development of the University and supports effective oversight of academic quality, student experience, institutional performance, financial sustainability, risk and regulatory compliance.
The Board works closely with the University’s senior leadership and academic governance structures to ensure that appropriate policies, processes and systems are in place to support effective decision-making and continuous improvement. Academic matters are subject to appropriate academic oversight and independent challenge, helping to maintain the integrity, standards and credibility of the University’s provision.
A key priority for ISBM London is to ensure that students from a diverse range of backgrounds are able to access, succeed in and progress through higher education. The Governing Board therefore maintains oversight of equality of opportunity, student support, continuation, completion and progression, with a particular focus on identifying and addressing barriers that may affect student success.
The Board also recognises the importance of strong relationships with employers, professional organisations and academic partners. These relationships contribute to the development of relevant programmes, enhance opportunities for student engagement and help ensure that the University remains responsive to the changing needs of the professions and wider society.
Through clear accountability, effective oversight and a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement, the Governing Board supports ISBM London in fulfilling its responsibilities to students, staff, partners and the wider higher education community.
Meet the President & Chancellor
Dr. Vinay M. Agrawal
-Ph.D., MBA, BE
Dr Agrawal is an educationist with solid leadership qualities and the ability to push the envelope of thought. He is highly acclaimed with an enthusiastic zeal and ambition to bring innovative changes to the education system, particularly in India. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards for his contribution to education in India, such as Shiksha Bharti Puraskar (2010) and Bharat Vikas Ratna (2012). In 2016 Dr Agrawal received recognition as being the ‘Youngest University Chancellor in the World’ (World Book Of Records UK).
“Education is an intervention in modern society where, harmonious development can be achieved by enlightenment of an individual’s heart, mind and soul. I am of the opinion that education can transform the attitude, thought process and lifestyle of people leading to the development of society. Education makes people flexible in thinking rationally and making appropriate decisions. I have always worked towards empowering the mass. Education serves as the tool and technique of empowerment with skilled and socially relevant citizens. ISBM University stands for humanism, rationality, idea exploration and innovation. The approach of our curriculum focuses on experiential learning, ensuring better content delivery and provisions for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities as integral components of the learning process.”
-Dr. Vinay M. Agrawal
Prof Dr John White
John is an experienced higher education leader with a distinguished academic career spanning the UK and internationally. He holds degrees from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Cambridge, including a doctorate in Law. John has taught and held senior academic positions at universities in the UK, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the United States, including over 20 years as Dean and Head of Law at Anglia Ruskin University and subsequently as Head of Human Sciences and Law at Bucks New University. He has extensive experience in academic leadership, governance and quality assurance. His expertise provides strong strategic leadership and oversight of academic standards, governance and institutional development.
Ian Whitehead
(Staff Governor - Chief Operating Officer &
Accountable Officer)
Ian has over 30 years’ senior leadership experience within education and training organisations, with particular expertise in strategic operations, partnership development, stakeholder engagement and quality improvement. He has worked extensively with UK Government departments, funding agencies and regional authorities to deliver education and skills programmes. A strong advocate for equality, inclusion and safeguarding, he has led initiatives supporting access to higher education for underrepresented groups and has contributed nationally and internationally to discussions on disability rights and educational inclusion. His experience supports effective institutional leadership, governance and student success.
David McLoughlin
(Staff Governor - Registrar)
David McLoughlin has more than 30 years’ experience in higher and further education, workforce development and academic leadership. A qualified engineer and educator, he has held senior leadership positions including Head of Department, Director and Executive Director, and has extensive experience in curriculum development, technical education and employer engagement. He has served on governing boards and chaired committees responsible for academic standards, finance, safeguarding and quality improvement. His expertise supports the institution’s focus on academic quality, regulatory compliance, student achievement and employer-responsive provision.
Prof Sabine Spangenberg
Sabine is a senior academic leader with over 30 years’ experience in higher education, teaching, research, quality assurance and institutional leadership. As Deputy Provost (Faculty) at Richmond American University London, she leads academic portfolio development, quality enhancement and institutional performance. She has extensive experience of regulatory compliance, accreditation, assessment strategy, transnational education and quality assurance, including work as a QAA reviewer and contributor to national subject benchmark development. A Senior Fellow of Advance HE, she brings significant expertise in academic governance, curriculum development, student success and the maintenance of academic standards.
Prof Dr John Fulton
John is a senior academic leader with over 30 years’ experience in higher education, specialising in doctoral education, research strategy, academic governance and quality assurance. He currently serves as Director of Research and Doctoral Programmes at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean and has previously held senior leadership positions at the University of Sunderland. He has extensive experience of regulatory compliance, quality assurance and external review, including work as a QAA reviewer and external examiner. A Principal Fellow of Advance HE, he has supervised numerous doctoral candidates and published extensively. His expertise supports the Board’s oversight of academic quality, research, governance and student outcomes.
Alan Rides
Alan Rides is an award-winning business leader with over 40 years’ experience in international trade, business development and stakeholder engagement. He has held senior leadership positions across global markets and currently serves as Chair and Chief Executive of the West London Chamber of Commerce. Through his work with UK Government trade agencies he has supported business growth, employer engagement and economic development. He contributes to higher education through guest lecturing and employer partnerships, bringing valuable industry insight to support curriculum relevance and graduate employability.
