The University of Nottingham today welcomed leading figures in business, technology and healthcare as new members of Council.

Sherry Madera

Sherry Madera is currently Global Head of Industry and Government Affairs at financial data business Refinitiv. She has also held roles as Economic Ambassador to Asia, and Minister-Counsellor and Director at the British Embassy in Beijing where she was responsible for promoting trade and investment between the UK and China. Her current role sees her engaging across government, policy initiatives and industry trends.

Sonya Leydecker

Sonya Leydecker is a consultant, business coach and mentor. From 2014 to 2017, Sonya was joint CEO of international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills and previously led its global dispute resolution practice. Her coaching work supports people undertaking new career roles and she has a particular interest in developments in legal services provision. She also acts as a Prince’s Trust ambassador for the Women Supporting Women group, a mentor on its Business Enterprise Scheme, and is also a trustee of RESTART, a homelessness charity.

Vicky Bailey

Vicky Bailey is a non-executive director at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust with previous executive leadership roles in Nottingham including Accountable Officer for both NHS Nottingham West and Rushcliffe Clinical Commissioning Groups. She has served on national bodies advising Ministers, and has a clinical background as a nurse and midwife. She is a fellow of the of the Queen’s Nursing Institute. For the last year Vicky has been a co-opted member of the audit and risk committee at Nottingham University.

Richard Newsome

Richard Newsome is currently Director of Digital & Technology at Sainsbury’s plc, with a long career leading digital strategy, delivery and teams in major UK organisations, including Rolls Royce, Cadburys, and Boots. An alumnus of the University, Richard currently contributes his expertise to its Digital Advisory Board.

Council members are responsible for advising and influencing key University decisions and strategy, and acting as ambassadors for the University, representing it at local, national and international level.

Council Chair John Mills welcomed the new appointments, saying that they would complement the experience and skills of the current group: “Our new members bring a wealth of expertise across a range of business, industry and healthcare themes, and I am sure that their appointments will further enhance and support the work of the Council as the University progresses into the next decade.”

University Council is a key component of the University’s governance structure, critiquing, debating and ratifying decisions which shape the future of the University. Council plays a critical role in influencing strategy, scrutinising decisions and supporting the work of the University’s Executive Board.

Members of Council are drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds. Members include senior managers and academics from the University, external members including University alumni, leading local, national and international business figures and representatives from the University’s vibrant student body.