Professor Nick Jennings is an internationally-recognised authority in the areas of AI, autonomous systems, cyber-security and agent-based computing.
His research focuses on developing agentic AI systems for large-scale, open and dynamic environments. In particular, he is interested in how to endow individual autonomous agents with the ability to act and interact in flexible ways and with effectively engineering systems that contain both humans and software agents. He is passionate about the real-world impact of research and his systems have been deployed to save lives in the aftermath of disasters, to win Olympic medals for TeamGB, and to monitor the impact of climate change on glaciers. He has also been involved with a number of start-ups including Aerogility, Darktrace, Sentient Sports, Reliance Cyber Systems, Trans Humanity and is a board member of Midlands Mindforge.
In undertaking this research, he has attracted grant income of £33M, published over 700 articles (with 500 co-authors) and graduated 55 PhD students (including two winners and one runner-up of the BCS/CPHC Distinguished Dissertation Award). With over 100,000 citations, he is one of the world's most cited computer scientists. He was the founding Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems and a founding director of the International Foundation for Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems.
Nick was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the Queen’s New Year Honours List in 2016 for his services to computer science and national security science. He has received a number of prestigious awards for his research including the IJCAI Research Excellence Award, Computers and Thought Award, the ACM Autonomous Agents Research Award, and the Lovelace Medal. He is a judge for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering and was chair of the judges for the inaugural Manchester Prize in AI.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the British Computer Society, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), the Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB), the Royal Society of the Arts, the City and Guilds of London Institute, the German AI Institute (DFKI) and the European Artificial Intelligence Association and a member of Academia Europaea.
Philip was an International Director at global real estate advisor, JLL, where his roles included Head of Student Housing, Chair of Alternative Real Estate and Chair, Living Capital Markets.
Philip was one of the first advisors to the UK student housing sector in the early 1990’s, providing advice to investors and lenders on the emerging sector. He has worked with most of the main UK based student housing developers, operators and investors and at JLL acted on student housing transactions totalling many billions of pounds.
After 38 years working at firms that eventually became JLL, in 2023 Philip left to pursue his own consultancy business and now has a portfolio of strategic advisor roles related to shared living development, investment and operations.
These include QX Global - who provide financial & accounting services to the Living sectors, and the UK’s leading Social Enterprise, Places for People.
He studied Land Management at The University of Reading, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree. Philip became a Chartered Surveyor and was elected a Fellow of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Philip is a regular speaker and moderator at student housing and wider living sector conferences and events.
Jane Harrison-White is the Executive Director of the Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE), a role she has held since 2015. In this capacity, she leads initiatives to support university estates and facilities management teams across the UK and internationally, aiming to foster innovation and excellence in creating optimal learning environments.
Jane's career spans over two decades, with significant contributions to both the public and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining AUDE, she served as Head of Research and Policy at the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), where she led substantial investments in academic research and facilitated the translation of research findings into practical applications. Her tenure at IOSH also included active participation in the United Nations 'Work Safe' campaign, where she led research and conferencing efforts across Europe and the Middle East.
Jane's earlier career includes extensive experience in local government estates management, notably with Leicestershire County Council. There, she played a pivotal role in overseeing estates and facilities, contributing to the development of safe and efficient educational environments.
Jane is also a Trustee at E-ACT, a multi-academy trust overseeing numerous academies across England.
An alumna of the University of Leicester, Jane holds a Master's degree in Geographical Information Systems and a Bachelor's degree in Human Geography and Populations. She is a Chartered Director of the Institute of Directors (IoD), a Chartered Member of IOSH, and a member of the Chartered Management Institute. Her commitment to continuous professional development is evident through her attainment of various qualifications, including a Diploma in Company Direction from the IoD and a Level 4 Management of Equality and Diversity in Organisations certification from the Institute of Leadership and Management.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Jane is an avid trail runner, reflecting her passion for adventure and the outdoors.
Professor Robert Van de Noort became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading in 2018, where he champions academic freedom and the University's work in climate research and action. Under his leadership, Reading was named Sustainable University of the Year 2025 by the Times and Sunday Times and received the Times Higher Education's inaugural award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership.
Robert convenes the S10 Vice-Chancellor's Group and chairs the Universities UK Research Bureaucracy Working Group. An archaeologist specialising in marine and wetland research, he studied at the Universities of Utrecht and Amsterdam before holding positions at the British School in Rome, the Rotterdam Archaeology Unit, the University of Hull and the University of Exeter.
He serves as Deputy Lieutenant for Berkshire, President of the River Thames Society and is Patron of Reading-based homelessness charity, Launchpad. He was appointed CBE in 2024 for his contributions to science, flood risk management and sustainability.
Responsible for the University’s two campuses, in Loughborough and London and the Loughborough University Science & Enterprise Park.
Before joining Loughborough in 2019, he was a director in KPMG’s defence and security consultancy. He joined KPMG in 2015 after a full career in the Royal Air Force retiring in the rank of Air-Vice Marshal. His last appointment was Assistant Chief of Defence Staff responsible for the logistics support of all UK Armed Forces on global operations. On retirement from the military he was appointed a Companion of the Honourable Order of the Bath (CB).
Throughout her career, Morag has chosen to focus on complex real estate situations with an appreciation of real estate’s broader role and leadership of multi-disciplined professional teams and partnerships. Her experience is unusual in that it has included both direct and strategic portfolio development, investment and management. Her career has gone beyond standard retail, office and industrial sectors, into more specialist property sub-sectors including leisure, residential, hospitality, data centres, healthcare, restaurants, licensed premises, public buildings, trade marts and theatres. Morag’s career has included roles with the City of Chester, McDonald’s Restaurants, Heineken, Trammell Crow Nederland (TCN), Composition Capital Partners and VEON, and as a Visiting Lecturer with Glasgow Caledonian University and the RICS. She has been Director of Estates and Facilities at the University of Aberdeen since 2023, where she is also a Visiting Lecturer in Real Estate.
Over the past three decades, Anita Edson has cultivated a career that reflects a profound commitment to the advancement of academic environments through strategic estate management and development. Beginning her career as a Quantity Surveyor and moving into Project Management, Anita has ascended through various leadership roles, each offering unique challenges and opportunities to influence the physical landscape of education.
Her role as Director of Estates & Campus Facilities at Cardiff University marks the pinnacle of this journey, where her strategic vision and passion for sustainability are driving significant improvements in campus facilities and infrastructure.
Anita's career is highlighted by a series of successful projects that not only enhance the aesthetic and functional aspects of campus environments but also contribute positively to the academic community and the wider society.
Full bio coming shortly.
Plenary Facilitator:
Philip was an International Director at global real estate advisor, JLL, where his roles included Head of Student Housing, Chair of Alternative Real Estate and Chair, Living Capital Markets.
Philip was one of the first advisors to the UK student housing sector in the early 1990’s, providing advice to investors and lenders on the emerging sector. He has worked with most of the main UK based student housing developers, operators and investors and at JLL acted on student housing transactions totalling many billions of pounds.
After 38 years working at firms that eventually became JLL, in 2023 Philip left to pursue his own consultancy business and now has a portfolio of strategic advisor roles related to shared living development, investment and operations.
These include QX Global - who provide financial & accounting services to the Living sectors, and the UK’s leading Social Enterprise, Places for People.
He studied Land Management at The University of Reading, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree. Philip became a Chartered Surveyor and was elected a Fellow of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Philip is a regular speaker and moderator at student housing and wider living sector conferences and events.
Ashley leads the strategic development and management of a diverse and complex estate for the University of Sheffield. In his role, Ashley has delivered the Future Campus Framework, a values-led masterplan designed to balance high-performance research and teaching needs with ambitious sustainability targets, all in a challenging economic environment.
Prior to joining Sheffield in 2024, Ashley held leadership roles at the University of Nottingham across estates development and campus services. With over a decade of experience in the higher education sector, he specialises in using spatial intelligence to drive experience-led estate rationalisation and is currently spearheading major transformational projects, including the University of Sheffield's new Central Teaching Lab.
Gaynor has over 40 years of experience in the construction industry, from project and programme management to her current role as Head of Capital Projects at the University of Sheffield. Gaynor brings her expertise in leadership and project governance to the University’s Estate-wide Decarbonisation Programme.
Tim is a Director in Turner and Townsend’s UK Sustainability team, with 20 years’ experience delivering renewable energy and Net Zero schemes. Tim has a background developing and delivering commercial and building scale renewable energy projects, low carbon solutions for organisations and estates, deploying and operating district heat networks, and a range of other Net Zero initiatives including Scope 3 emissions reductions.
Chris is an engineer and innovator that has worked in the facilities management sector in board-level, operational and support function roles for over 30 years.
Chris has been responsible for the design and development of several cloud software platforms. In 2016, he formed Invida to develop and launch an advanced space, asset and service management SaaS platform designed for owners and operators of large property portfolios.
Today, INVIDA is considered a leading property management solution that is used by UK and international organisations to manage large and complex property portfolios. INVIDA has been adopted by an increasing number of universities and colleges.
Dave Wickett is a Senior Operations Lead in Asset Management at the University of Cambridge, specialising in operational optimisation and data driven transformation across a complex estates portfolio. He recently led the University’s Digital Asset Register Programme, creating a single, authoritative source of asset information that strengthened compliance, improved data quality, and enhanced decision making—earning recognition from both the IAM and AUDE. Operating at the intersection of service delivery and digital capability, Dave designs frameworks that improve data maturity, resilience, and operational efficiency. He supports senior leadership in building integrated models that enable effective change, transparency, and long term institutional resilience.
Michael Grant is a smart buildings and SaaS executive with a proven track record of scaling technology businesses and driving digital transformation across the built environment. He specializes in helping organizations leverage data, AI, and PropTech solutions to improve operational performance, workplace experience, and real estate outcomes.
Laura Riella is the Systems and Business Improvement Manager at Edge Hill University, where she leads on the development and optimisation of Facilities Management systems and processes. She is currently supporting the University’s Strategic Review of Space, using data and digital solutions to inform decision-making and enhance service delivery. Laura is a PhD student in E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning at Lancaster University and a Senior Fellow of AdvanceHE (SFHEA). She is passionate about digital innovation and driving system-led change through data, automation and process improvement, with a strong focus on improving operational performance and user experience.
Toby Godman is a Workplace and Property Consultant at Baker Stuart, specialising in helping organisations make smarter use of their space. With more than a decade of experience, Toby has worked with clients across higher education, local government, the public sector and corporate organisations. He has particular expertise in the Higher Education sector, supporting universities with utilisation studies, workplace reviews and estate strategy projects. Toby is skilled at turning complex data into clear, practical recommendations. Combining data analysis with close stakeholder engagement, he helps clients understand how their spaces are really being used, identify opportunities for improvement and make confident decisions about their estate. His focus is on providing straightforward advice that helps organisations create spaces that work better for the people who use them.
James Woodhouse is an Associate Director at Bond Bryan with extensive experience leading complex education, research and innovation projects across the UK. He works closely with universities and estates teams to develop projects that respond to institutional priorities while delivering long-term value for students, staff and wider communities.
James has a strong track record of facilitating collaborative stakeholder engagement and translating complex requirements into clear, deliverable project briefs. He is passionate about helping clients make better-informed decisions at the earliest stages of projects, recognising that effective briefing is fundamental to successful outcomes. Through his work with Bond Bryan's award-nominated Project Briefing Tool, James supports organisations in creating more sustainable, user-focused and resilient environments, ensuring investment decisions are underpinned by robust evidence, inclusive engagement and a clear understanding of project objectives.
Alex Mingozzi is an Associate at Bond Bryan, specialising in urban design, placemaking and regenerative design. He works with clients to create places that deliver long-term social, environmental and economic value, bringing together strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based decision making from the earliest stages of projects.
Alex played a key role in developing Bond Bryan's award-nominated Project Briefing Tool, helping organisations embed sustainability and user outcomes into project briefs through structured conversations around people, place and process. Passionate about collaborative working and regenerative principles, he supports clients in defining clear project ambitions, aligning diverse stakeholder priorities and creating a stronger foundation for successful investment decisions and long-term project outcomes.
Leanora Simmonite is a Management Associate at Bond Bryan with more than 20 years' experience delivering projects across higher education, advanced manufacturing, commercial, cultural and regeneration sectors. Her work ranges from individual buildings to strategic masterplanning, helping clients shape places that support innovation, collaboration and long-term economic growth.
Leanora is passionate about collaborative briefing and stakeholder engagement, working with clients to establish clear project objectives and build consensus from the earliest stages of project development. Through her involvement with Bond Bryan's award-nominated Project Briefing Tool, she helps organisations create stronger, evidence-based briefs that embed sustainability, reduce project risk and deliver better long-term outcomes. Alongside her project work, Leanora is an active advocate for design quality and the built environment profession, contributing to industry initiatives and supporting collaboration across the architectural community.
With over 14 years in Higher Education, Brett is the Systems and Digital Information Manager at the University of Warwick, known for advancing service delivery through strategic digitisation of Estates data. Originating from a customer service background, Brett ensures a stakeholder-centric approach to operational efficiency.
As Vice-Chair for BIM4Estates, an AUDE Special Interest Group and Nima affiliate, Brett shares insights across Higher Education and Healthcare sectors. Expertise includes diverse systems such as CAFM, Compliance Software, Wayfinding Applications, AutoCAD, and ArcGIS, with a focus on efficient BIM integration from projects to stakeholders.
A NEBOSH General Certificate holder with distinction, Brett blends managerial proficiency in Facility Management, People Management, and Administration. A graduate of the AUDE 21st Century Leadership Programme, Brett champions operational efficiency in the digital transformation of Estates departments, actively contributing to industry conferences and shaping the future of Higher Education through visionary leadership.
Rich Draper is Head of Estates Digital at the University of Oxford and Co-Chair of the AUDE Digital Estates Group. A specialist in BIM and digital estates management, he leads change in complex organisations where legacy systems, fragmented data and established ways of working can obstruct progress. His work focuses on modernising practice, rationalising system sets and creating more structured, aligned approaches to estates information. Rich is developing the “DOME” concept: a connected digital operating model built around structured datasets, clearly defined information requirements and integrated systems. His focus is on turning digital ambition into practical, lasting organisational change.
Paul Wilson is Chair of Provelio and brings over 30 years’ experience in property, estates, and construction management. A former Projects Director at the University of Bristol, Paul has worked extensively across university estate departments, advising on strategic estate transformation. He specialises in digitising estates, data, and decision-making processes to drive alpha performance across property portfolios. A Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, he holds a Master’s in Project Management. Paul has also contributed to sector thought leadership, including HEFCE’s Guide to Realisation of Strategic Change and Benefits.
Mark Catchlove serves as Director of the MillerKnoll Global Insight Group. With over 40 years of industry experience, including 27 of those with MillerKnoll, Mark has been a regular contributor to workplace-related conversations. He leads a team responsible for sharing MillerKnoll’s extensive research around the globe. The research covers a wide range of workplace issues and informs conversations with clients and partners.
Lee is a Head of Creative Design with over 15 years of experience in the interiors and furniture industry, providing successful spaces for higher education clients. With a deep understanding of how physical spaces shape learning, behaviour, and wellbeing, Lee and the SBI Design Team partner closely with universities to create environments that are both purposeful and impactful.
Leading projects from initial concept through to completion, they guide clients through every stage of the design journey—translating vision into thoughtful, functional spaces that support diverse needs.
Their work is rooted by a human-centric design approach, prioritising inclusivity, accessibility, and the evolving ways students and educators engage with their surroundings.
Andy holds a BSc Computing and Mathematics. He is an experienced engineer within the building services industry and has been a National Key Account Manager for several public sector accounts, primarily within the NHS. Andy has a broad knowledge of the energy and sustainability sector including business case writing and review, data manipulation, CHPQA submissions, as well as financial case building and compliance.
Harvey Dowdy is a Chartered Surveyor who has worked in the private, public and charity sectors in most parts of the country. She is currently on her 4th University in a senior leadership role as interim Director of Estates at NTU - and on her 7th Vice Chancellor.
When not in an HEI – she is a Canon Emerita at Lincoln Cathedral and a member of the Advisory Board at Ushaw Historic House and Gardens where she supports the Executive Team with the endless challenges of Gothic Revival Architecture.
Speaker bio coming shortly.
Duncan Johnston is the Deputy Director of Estates at the Glasgow School of Art, where he oversees the full spectrum of estates operations, including hard and soft facilities management, projects, space planning, and student accommodation. With a commitment to delivering high‑quality environments that support teaching, learning, and creativity, he leads multidisciplinary teams and drives continuous improvement across the estate. Duncan is currently Deputy Chair of the AUDE Strategic FM special Interest Group.
Before joining GSA, Duncan served as Senior Facilities Manager at the University of Glasgow, managing soft services and reactive maintenance across a complex and evolving campus portfolio. His work contributed to improved service performance, operational resilience, and customer experience.
Duncan’s earlier career spans 25 years in Scotland’s hospitality sector, where he managed both boutique and chain hotels. This experience gave him a strong grounding in operational leadership, customer service, and team development, skills he continues to apply in the higher education environment.
With a keen interest in people management, new technologies, and data‑driven decision‑making, Duncan brings a forward‑thinking, service‑focused approach to estates leadership.
Dr. Palle Geltzer Dinesen is the Co-founder of Ubiqisense, a Danish PropTech company helping organisations create better financial value and user experience in buildings and spaces. With a background spanning business development, technology innovation, and R&D, Palle has spent his career focused on translating complex data into practical operational insight. Prior to founding Ubiqisense in 2016, he worked in advanced technology and optics-based innovation, including leadership roles in scaling technology businesses internationally.
At Ubiqisense, Palle has helped shape a data-driven approach to estate intelligence, combining occupancy analytics, utilisation insight, and sustainability outcomes to support smarter decision-making across workplaces, universities, and commercial estates. He is a strong advocate for moving beyond siloed estate systems towards integrated, financially intelligent environments that align operational performance with organisational strategy, sustainability goals, and evolving user behaviours.
Emyr Jones is Executive Head of Property & Estates Development at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. In his role, Emyr is involved in the strategic development of the university’s estate, helping to create facilities that support students, staff, apprentices and commercial partners.
With hands-on experience across higher education property and estates, Emyr brings a practical perspective on the pressures universities face when balancing space, cost, experience and long-term estate performance. Speaking at AUDE, Emyr will share the journey the university has been on, the milestones achieved along the way, and how better insight into space utilisation and occupancy is supporting more confident, evidence-based decisions about how their buildings are being used across their estate.
Deborah is a chartered Building Surveyor, with 37 years post qualification experience. Starting her career in the Property Services Agency (Civil Service) refurbishing military bases and building courts Deborah then spent 20 years working with Local Authorities both inside authorities and running consultancy offices delivering maintenance and capital works to schools and Social Services. Deborah achieved her dream role of working with Nationally Important Listed Buildings 13 years ago. Since arriving at Clare College Deborah’s remit has included a £42m refurbishment of Old Court a Grade 1 Listed Building and has been driving the sustainability agenda of all the College buildings including a detailed implementation plan to Net Zero.
Jo started working at the College 9 years ago while finishing a PhD in history, initially as an administrator in the Estates team. She has a keen interest in sustainability and was able to develop this further, becoming the Sustainability and Planned Maintenance Manager three years ago. She manages small sustainability projects, tracks carbon emissions and progress towards Net Zero, monitors utility usage, and works with student representatives to embed sustainability amongst the student body. She is also responsible for the programme of planned maintenance across the College estate. She has recently started a Level 4 Data Fellowship apprenticeship, learning new skills in understanding and presenting data.
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