Employee Representatives

Daniel Wallace – Co-Chair

Manager – Memberships & Events; Corporate Development, Henley Business School

I love working at the Henley Business School and the University of Reading, and have had a great experience since joining in 2018 – though I know that this isn’t always the case for all of our colleagues, and that needs to change.

That’s why I joined the staff forum; to make a positive difference for colleagues who face challenges and difficulty, and to give a voice to those staff who feel overlooked or like they’re excluded from the wider University community, so that they can instead focus on making the most of their roles (and maybe even look forward to getting into work every day!).

Lisa Powles – Co-Chair

Occupational Health Administrator.

Shortly after I joined the university the results from the resent staff survey were published and being new I was really interested in how I could help build on the working experience for all colleagues. I also felt it was a great way to get involved with colleagues from other departments I would not normally have a chance to work with.

I am proud with what the Staff Forum has achieved over the last few years, and really enjoy getting involved in some of the projects we have become involved with, especially the Get Together events where everyone has a chance to get out of their office and meet some new people and learn more about the University as a whole.

Sarah Hinton – Deputy Chair (Currently on maternity leave)

Student Support Coordinator in Student Services.

I joined the University in March 2018 as a Programme Administrator and am now a Student Support Coordinator in the Earley Gate Support Centre. In July 2019 I became a member of the Staff Forum to help represent the views of various colleagues who felt that previously their voices had been overlooked, particularly during recent periods of change. Since becoming a member, I have valued the opportunity to meet other members of staff across the university and to work together to help improve the general working experience here at Reading.

Steve Ablett

Health and Safety Manager – Research and Innovation Directorate

Having been in Health & Safety for over 20 years within the industry sector, I joined the University in November 2021 as Health and Safety Manager for the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy and more recently I’ve been line managing a small team of full time H&S Professionals who oversee the H&S arrangements for the 9 Higher Hazard Schools.
As a result, it has opened doors to Leadership and Management training development opportunities. Ever since, I have been a solid advocate for team development and opportunities, and I have been influencing and mentoring people through both qualifications and professional accreditation applications and re-gradings within the University and through IOSH.

My Manager suggested I joined the Staff Forum and I haven’t looked back; this is something that is so important to me. I have welcomed the opportunity to support and empower colleagues right across our institution. I want everyone to love their careers, and I know this is not always the case. I can provide support or assist with navigating obstacles to reach solutions.

At home, I am outnumbered by my wife and two daughters. I love to travel, listen to music and I enjoy going to gigs and festivals. I am also a long-standing (15 years) volunteer for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Lee Allan-Smith

Project Set-Up Manager – Research Services

As a member of the Staff Forum, I want to use my experience of different institutions to help my colleagues and support staff to have a voice, I have always been interested in the wellbeing of staff and colleagues and I am very aware that through the pandemic peoples priorities have changed and I think that the staff forum should be a way of exploring these changes in order to see which ones the University needs to be mindful of and which ones it should act on.
I joined the University during the pandemic in 2021 which was interesting and I look forward to meeting many more people as part of the staff forum

Bethan Bourne

Senior Information Coordinator - Careers

I joined the Staff Forum as I have a passion for improving the staff experience and ensuring colleagues are aware of everything they are entitled to and have access to. I enjoy getting to know others and learning about their concerns so that positive change can be made, and staff have a voice. As someone with lived experience of disabilities, I bring a unique perspective to ensure the staff experience is equally beneficial for all.

I started working at the university in 2022, had various roles across Student Services, and now work as a projects manager in the Careers team. I have a Master’s in Medieval Studies and am a published author of historical fiction. I used to work at Legoland as a manager in the entertainment team (jazz hands!). I am an advocate for learning and development, taking every opportunity to learn something new, and love a challenge! 

Rhodri Buttrick

Business Analyst.

As a member of the Staff Forum, I want to contribute to the already strong sense of community that underpins life at the Reading. I see my role as listening to, understanding and representing the concerns of my colleagues, while also supporting to the overall objectives of the University.

I graduated from the University of Reading with a philosophy degree in 2012 and returned in 2017 to work on the IT Service Desk. Between times, I have worked in radio as a presenter, producer and event host (BBC, commercial radio and Kiss FM Portugal). I also have experience in digital communications, including social media, blogs, podcasts and video. I contribute to the wider Reading community as a volunteer at Hospital Radio Reading and run a monthly comedy club.

Catherine Fleming

I joined the University in November 2018 as an administrator for the Accommodation Contract Management Office. This is a very busy role in a small team! I am looking forward to working with the team in the Staff Forum to support my colleagues from all across the University.

Russ Hogg

Postgraduate Programme Administrator - Henley Business School

By taking part in the Staff Forum, I hope that I can be a voice and source of guidance for my colleagues within Henley Business School where I work, and those from the wider university. In large organisations of all kinds, it can sometimes feel difficult to speak up and feel noticed, so I am pleased to help facilitate this and make a difference in some small way.
Having joined in March 2024 and therefore quite new to university life, I also see it as a rewarding way to get to know people, departments and processes around the campus. My work experience to date spans years spent in organisations large and small, as an individual contributor and as a manager, and in both corporate and creative industries. As such, I have experience of talking to a diverse range of people at all levels, and perhaps a fresh perspective to bring.

Becky Kite

Senior Programme Administrator - Henley Business School

I have been part of Henley Business School since 2005 (when it was known as Henley Management College) and held roles in Admission and Programme Administration as well as various volunteer roles, such social committee, Henley Hive etc. . I am currently the Senior programme Administrator for the DBA programme and seen the university is different stages such as mergers, restructures and Covid. I am proud to work for the University of Reading and enjoy contributing in different ways.

I previously joined the Staff Forum several years back and have recently returned for a second time! Initially I joined to learn more about the University as a whole and provide some representation for the Greenlands campus. I loved supporting colleagues, being involved in decision-making discussions and meeting people from areas of the university that I would not otherwise meet, reasons that have brought me back to the forum. I feel it is important to have our voice heard, and to represent my colleague’s interest, to enable the right decisions to be made, to provide support in difficult times and to understand the university in greater depth. I am also trained mental health first aider and part of the staff wellbeing peer support network, which I feel also informs my work with the staff forum, with particular interest in wellbeing at work.

I joined the University in 2014 and currently I work in the Estates team as a Space Management and Data Officer managing the data for our buildings and estate and occupation needs. I’m also involved with the Wellbeing Peer Support Network as wellbeing is something I’ve always felt needs to be valued for a healthy and accepted culture.

I’ve joined the Staff Forum to better meet colleagues from other departments to help represent their voice on how we can do better and provide support for any concerns and issues. I’m also looking forward to having the opportunity to work with likeminded individuals on projects that will make the University a better place to work for all.

From a personal perspective, I really enjoy walking and I’m passionate about nature – I frequently bird watch, volunteer at a Hedgehog Rescue and I’m a staff rep for the UoR Hedgehog Society. I also enjoy getting my hands dirty with gardening and with arts and crafts, such as ceramics.

Leanne Ley

Department Manager: ICMA Centre

I have worked at the University a long time and over the past year have observed the fantastic work the staff forum has done and decided it was time to get more involved.In February 2021 I joined the Staff Forum and am proud to work with likeminded colleagues who want to represent our community. In my role at the ICMA Centre I work closely with both professional and academic staff, as well as a lot of stakeholders and hope to share information and engage with all these groups to work towards improving our working lives and community.

Kevin Pring

Apprenticeship Tutor

Previous to joining the University in February 2021, as a Tutor for Senior Leader Apprentices, I worked for many years in Leadership and Management Development, enabling and empowering people to achieve personal objectives and organisational outcomes

During the Covid lockdowns, at a previous employer, I was asked to organise online social events to keep people connected partly because my Director knew it was something I could do but mostly because they knew it was something I value

With that in mind, my main reasons for wanting to be a Rep are (I like to think) I’m community spirited and hope to add to people’s enjoyment of working for the University

In addition, I’d like the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from other departments

Regarding interests outside of work, in addition to being a loving husband and father, I’m still passionate about travel, playing guitar, listening to music (mostly Absolute 80s and 90s these days) and, increasingly, poetry