AMOSSHE elects new Executive Committee members for 2026 to 2028

Andy Shanks is Director of Student Wellbeing at The University of Edinburgh. Andy takes the role of Vice Chair for 2026 to 2028. Here's Andy's nomination statement.

I believe passionately in higher education’s power to transform people’s lives, and I would be hugely honoured if you voted for me to continue on the AMOSSHE Executive. This is a challenging period for HE, and I am excited about the opportunity to represent you as members in shaping and influencing the future of our profession. I remain deeply committed to ‘putting something back' into (a) the organisation that’s been so supportive during my nine years working in my current role; and (b) the sector that supports students to flourish. I have enjoyed my three years on the Executive immensely, focusing on strengthening student services, engaging members through CPD events and representing AMOSSHE across many initiatives.

Before moving to my current role as Director of Student Wellbeing at the University of Edinburgh in 2017, I worked for over twenty years as a mental health social worker and then a senior manager within statutory mental health and social care services in London and Edinburgh. I learned a great deal, and I have brought with me into HE an awareness of (a) the value of taking a strategic approach to deliver positive outcomes; (b) the benefits the person-centred model brings at every level within our work in student services; and (c) the significant, positive impact that working effectively in collaboration and partnership across organisational boundaries brings to people’s lives.

If re-elected to the Executive, I will bring energy, enthusiasm, passion and commitment to the role. I have a keen interest in all student services areas and am pro-active in taking a leadership role to improve student experience. The UK (through the Office for Students) and devolved governments’ interest in student services brings current opportunities for positive change within the sector, and I am deeply committed to ensuring AMOSSHE continues to shape and influence this work.

I have been in the Vice Chair role for three months and will be extremely grateful for your vote. My priorities align with AMOSSHE’s mission to drive excellence and inclusivity in student services:

1. Ensuring we continue to implement our AMOSSHE strategy to bring real value to members and student services, with AMOSSHE playing a key role in shaping and influencing HE policy both nationally and internationally.
2. Enhancing connections among student services leaders at member institutions to collectively innovate and improve the student experience. I am keen to create an environment for wide knowledge sharing amongst student services leaders, with mentoring playing a key role in this.
3. Prioritising diversity and inclusion by promoting initiatives for equitable support services, advocating for policies that address the diverse needs of students.
4. Embracing innovation and technology through AMOSSHE's new online platform, aligning this with strategic goals to drive meaningful change in the rapidly changing educational landscape.
5. Strengthening professional development by collaborating with AMOSSHE Executive colleagues to create pathways for knowledge and skill enhancement, equipping members to meet evolving challenges in student services.

I am eager to continue as Vice Chair to support AMOSSHE’s future and its community in impactful ways.

Emma Bales is Director of Student Services at the University of Cumbria. Emma takes the role of Vice Chair (Operations) for 2026 to 2028. Here's Emma's nomination statement.

Having worked in higher education student support services for over 20 years, I am currently the Director of Student Services at the University of Cumbria (UoC). I have been a member of the AMOSSHE Executive team since July 2021 and, following a year’s term serving as Vice Chair in 2023/4, I was honoured to be elected as Vice Chair (Operations) in July 2024.

As a Director in a University with a strong widening participation mission, AMOSSHE’s vision and values align strongly with my own, particularly my belief in the transformative effect of higher education and the crucial role Student Services plays in enabling students to thrive.

I am a committed, engaged and active member of the Executive team and during my time on the Executive I have contributed to a wide range of AMOSSHE priorities including:

• Working with the Executive and National Office colleagues to develop and implement the new AMOSSHE strategy for the next 5-year period, ensuring it reflects the evolving needs of our community.
• Co-leading the 2022 and 2025 Winter Conferences and the 2023 National Conference
• Co-designing and leading online CPD events with a particular focus on supporting members’ career development
• Co-leading the development and implementation of the online professional development hub which is designed to ensure our members have access to impactful professional development pathways.
• Representing AMOSSHE in the sector including on the TASO Mental Health Tool Kit Project, the HEMHIT Learning & Development workstream, the ANUK/UNIPOL Committee of Management and the UUK Accredited Code of Practice for the management of residential accommodation.

As the sector continues to face challenges and uncertainty I believe that through AMOSSHE’s mission to support, inform and empower our community we can play a pivotal role in assisting members to navigate the complex regulatory and policy landscape.

As Vice Chair (Operations) because I want to continue contributing my higher education, leadership and governance experience to support the National Office team, the wider Executive, and the AMOSSHE membership.

I have established strong, constructive working relationships with the National Office, the Chair and Executive colleagues. As Vice Chair (Operations), my priorities are to support delivery of the strategic plan by ensuring the National Office has the capacity, resources and operational enablers needed to meet AMOSSHE’s goals. I would also work closely with the Executive Director to ensure our governance systems are robust, transparent and fit for purpose.

I am committed to helping AMOSSHE influence policy and practice by championing effective representation, collaboration and innovation, and by promoting the value of Student Services across the sector. I would work with the Vice Chair to diversify income streams and strengthen AMOSSHE’s long term financial sustainability, and collaborate with the VC (CPD), National Office and Executive team to ensure access to impactful, inclusive, professional development pathways for members.

If elected, it would be a privilege to continue serving the membership and contributing to AMOSSHE’s strategic delivery and national leadership of Student Services.

Professor Angela Scanlon is Director of Student and Graduate Success at Ulster University Northern Ireland. Angela takes the role of Executive Member for 2026 to 2028. Here's Angela's nomination statement.

With the support of members, I joined the Executive in 2024 and have deeply valued and benefited from the experience of working alongside colleagues from across the UK higher education sector as together we work to share practice and support Student Services. AMOSSHE continues to support UK higher education in optimising our value and impact across Student Services for students and graduates. Some of my personal valued highlights for the last few years have included being able to engage with the Northern Ireland universities with support from AMOSSHE to consider creating safer spaces in higher education. More recently, I helped design the new Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles to enable a regional strategic approach to clearly identify our commitment to positive mental health throughout the student journeys. As well, in 2026, I had the privilege of co-leading the Winter Conference along with Paul Rossi and the National Office team, where we celebrated the Student Services Effect that is critical to student experience and success.

I am stepping forward, fuelled by the momentum of this transformative Executive, to ask for your support once again! This is an incredible opportunity to champion Northern Ireland and Ireland, driving vital collaboration with our UK-wide members to foster an inclusive, proactive approach. Despite the growing challenges in higher education, I know that together, we can make a real, lasting difference.

Ann Duncan is Deputy Director Student Experience at the University of Strathclyde. Ann takes the role of Executive Member for 2026 to 2028. Here's Ann's nomination statement.

I am deeply passionate about the student experience and the vital role student services play in enabling students to positively engage, progress and succeed at university, while preparing them for graduate employability. Over two decades in higher education, leading the strategic development and evolution of student services has been invigorating, and nothing is more rewarding than witnessing the impact our work has on individual student outcomes.

Having studied in my native country of Ireland before commencing my career in Scottish higher education, I have been an active member of AMOSSHE for many years and have found that it has significantly shaped my professional growth and development. I was delighted to have the opportunity to join the AMOSSHE Executive in January 2026 and have enjoyed my initial involvement. I am keen to build on this and expand my contributions through election, and I believe that my well-rounded experience positions me to be a strong representative for our sector.

I have led a range of strategic initiatives that have reshaped our institutional offering, including 24/7 incident response; work to address gender-based violence; suicide prevention; developing student services on our new overseas campus; the introduction of an AI-powered chatbot within student services; and a case management system. Central to my approach is co-production and student partnership: shaping services and priorities with students, for students. Equally important is ensuring staff are supported and equipped to cater for the increasingly diverse needs of our students.

Nationally, I represent AMOSSHE on the Scottish Government’s Equally Safe Core Leadership Group and the ASRA Student Wellbeing in PBSA Project. I also sit on the Ministerial Roundtable on Spiking and the Universities Scotland Student Mental Health Group.

I strive to make a meaningful difference to the sector. I am confident that my leadership experience, collaborative approach and commitment to students, staff and sector colleagues make me a strong asset to the AMOSSHE Executive, and I would be grateful for your support in continuing my journey by voting for me.

Ian Munton is Director of Student Journey at Aberystwyth University. Ian takes the role of Executive Member for 2026 to 2028. Here's Ian's nomination statement.

I’m really pleased to be standing for re‑election to the AMOSSHE Executive. I’ve been part of AMOSSHE for almost 20 years, and in that time this community has supported me, challenged me, and pushed me to go further than I thought possible. Over the last few years on the Executive, I’ve loved being able to offer that same support back — leading CPD events, facilitating sector‑focused activities, and contributing to the conversations that shape our practice. 

Although most of my career since the early noughties (I have struggled to type this!) has been spent in England, for almost five years I’ve been Director of Student Journey at Aberystwyth University in Mid‑Wales. I love the distinctiveness of the Welsh sector and feel strongly about ensuring Welsh institutions continue to be heard and represented nationally. At the same time, I truly value the similarities we share across the UK — the common challenges, the shared purpose, and the commitment to improving student experience wherever we are based. 

AMOSSHE has always encouraged me to think bigger than my team or institution. It’s helped me understand the impact we can be when we work together. This is mirrored in my role as Chair of the all‑Wales FE/HE Suicide Prevention Community of Practice and Steering Group — a deeply meaningful experience that keeps me close to sector‑wide challenges and reinforces my belief in evidence‑based, compassionate approaches to student wellbeing. 

I care deeply about this thing we do every day that we call work — its challenging and hard, but it’s also brilliant! I would be honoured to continue representing you and contributing to the future of our community. 

Keith Houghton is Director of Student Support and Wellbeing at The University of Law. Keith takes the role of Executive Member for 2026 to 2028. Here's Keith's nomination statement.

I have had the pleasure of being an Executive Member for the last two years, having been an AMOSSHE member for nearly 15 years now and working in student services for nearly 25 years.

Over the past two years I have co-led two CPD events and been on the planning team for National Conference 2025 and 2026 as well as contributing to key strategic priorities such as he the professional recognition and career development portal, and chairing meetings for the LASER and East Region. 

The sector has seen huge change over the past two years and no doubt there is more to come. If re-elected, my priorities will be:

• Further contributing to the success of National Conference and CPD events.
• Continuing to promote the professionalism and recognition of the sector as a positive force in HE.
• Raising the profile of AMOSSHE as a thought leader and key driver of best practice in the sector. 
• Bringing the perspective of a specialist and alternative provider to the table. 

Above all, I am passionate about innovation, collaboration, partnership and excellence in everything we do and would be honoured to have your vote.