The Board

Sir Keith Burnett FRS FLSW

Sir Keith Burnett FRS FLSW is an eminent physicist who received his BA and DPhil at the University of Oxford and held academic positions in Physics at the University of Colorado, Imperial College and the University of Oxford where he served as the Chairman of Physics and the Head of the Division of Mathematics and Physical Sciences. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the American Physiological Society, the Optical Society and the Institute of Physics.

Alongside his role as Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield (2011-18), Sir Keith was the Chair of the Board of Universities and Colleges Employers Association and served on the boards of the Higher Education Funding Councils of both England and Wales and as a trustee of the Russell Group of research/intensive universities. He was the Chair of the UK Science Council, N8 universities, HEaTED and the National Technician Development Centre boards. He has also served on the boards of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, the Prime-Minister’s Advisory Council on Science and Technology, and of Infrastructure UK where he advised HM Treasury on investment in support of innovation and regeneration.

A lifelong supporter of advanced scientific and technical education, Sir Keith was the founding Chair of the Academic Council of the global Schmidt Science Fellowship and chairs the Nuffield Foundation — the largest independent funder of Social Sciences in the U.K. focused on education, welfare and justice. He is a member of the International Advisory Committee of both SUSTech in Shenzhen in China and NMITE in Hereford in the UK — trail-blazer institutions focused on innovation with industry. He is also a trustee of the Rank Prize for exceptional early-career researchers.

Sir Keith received a CBE for his services to Physics and the Young Medal and Prize for distinguished scientific research. He is a twice recipient of an award from the Vice-Premier of China for his contribution to the understanding of Chinese language and culture. He was knighted in 2013 for services to Science and Higher Education.

Ian Crichton

Ian Crichton is Chief Executive Officer for global education provider Study Group.

Over an international career in business spanning over 30 years, Ian has worked in over 50 countries in sectors including in blue chip (FMCG) companies, electronics, health informatics, business services and software, for the last 18 years as MD or CEO. He also served in the public sector as Chief Executive of NHS National Services Scotland, where through Blood Transfusion, Health Protection, Facilities Management and Digital / Health Informatics services he worked closely facilitating top British Universities’ research, enabling better access to and use of patient data. He also Chaired Scotland's National Infertility Group, was a member of the Scottish Medicine's Consortium, and various ministerial advisory groups.

Ian’s articles on the changing nature and enduring benefits of global education have been published in the UK, India, China and East Asia. He describes participation in global education as a life-changing opportunity to gain an excellent degree while also developing the kind of global mindset and perspectives essential to problem-solving in a multi-polar world.

Ian is a proud graduate of the University of Aberdeen in his home country of Scotland, and has also undertaken executive education at CEDEP (INSEAD), Harvard University and the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.

Simon Belfer

Simon joined Study Group as Chief Financial Officer in April 2023.

Prior to Study Group, Simon has spent the last 20 years as a successful CFO at a number of UK entities, gaining experience of a range of sectors, scales and governance structures. Since 2009, he has focussed on health and education. His immediately preceding roles were as CFO at Connect Health (physiotherapy services to the NHS) and prior to that he was CFO at Servelec (IT software to the public sector) until their successful exit to The Access Group in August 2021, where he worked with our Chief Executive, Ian Crichton. His earlier CFO experiences include Serco (Healthcare FM), Edinburgh Napier University and NHS National Services Scotland.

After Simon qualified as a Chartered Accountant, he spent many years developing his commercial and skills in a range of finance and operational roles in large-scale food and drink businesses including Guinness, Bass, Burton’s Biscuits and Scottish & Newcastle.

Simon lives in Edinburgh with his wife Kathryn and their family.

Ed Griffin

Ed Griffin is responsible for leading the delivery of HR services globally and helping to build a working environment where people can work and grow to their potential. He is also responsible for the delivery of programme and project management across the business.

Ed has worked as an HR leader in international sport, the NHS and at the British Council. He has extensive international experience that has taken him to a wide range of countries that have included Brazil, Singapore, the USA, Hong Kong, Kenya, Nigeria and across Europe. His work as a consultant gave him experience of working across many sectors including Education, technology and consultancy, telecoms,  financial services, not-for-profits and government departments. His consultancy work included strategy development with top teams, development work with HR professionals, and running international leadership development teams. He has written, researched and spoke at conferences about Organisational Development and HR.

Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcón

With over 20 years of experience in higher education (HE), Elena is a nationally and internationally recognised expert and leader in enterprise and engineering education, inclusive and international learning and teaching, and change management.

Elena has a distinguished record of achievements and recognitions, including being a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, one of the first twelve Principal Fellows of the AdvanceHE/HEA in the UK, and the 2020 Woman of the Year in Technology. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, the Chartered Management Institute, and the Women's Engineering Society.

Elena is passionate about engaging and empowering students, staff, and stakeholders through innovative and impactful global educational initiatives and programmes.

She is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of EDT, a nationwide educational charity that provides STE(A)M-focused opportunities for young people. Elena is also President of, her Alma Mater’s Mexican, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León’s International Advisory Board.

Professor Rodriguez-Falcón famously led the creation of the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) as President and CEO, a pioneering and ambitious higher education institute to transform engineering education in the UK.

Before joining Study Group, Elena was also Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), where she had oversight of the academic portfolio and strategy of the institution. Elena's mission is to drive change and innovation in HE, to support and empower international students, and to inspire the next generation of socially aware change makers.

James Pitman

James Pitman is Study Group's Managing Director for UK and Europe. James is also the Chair of Exporting Education UK and Chair of Independent Higher Education. He is a member of the British Council’s Higher Education Advisory Group and Destination for Education, a coalition supporting the UK education export sector, and was a founding advisor to the UK All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Students.

Prior to joining Study Group in February 2007, James was Managing Director of the EMEA businesses of Rosetta Stone, a market leading, global e-learning software provider.

During the 1990s, James held a variety of senior international roles, including those of Vice President of International Marketing and Vice President of Operations and Business Development with Warner Music International and EMI Music. This followed eight years in international education publishing.

James has a BA(Hons) and MA from Cambridge University in Natural Sciences and a MBA from IMD in Switzerland.

William Major BSc (Hons), ACMA

William Major is Group Chief Transformation Officer at Global University Systems and a Board Director of Study Group. He is an international business leader with over 25 years' experience delivering transformation, operational excellence, and growth across the education and financial services sectors.

Before joining Global University Systems, William held a number of senior executive roles with Prudential plc across the UK, India, Vietnam, and Africa, including Chief Transformation Officer and Managing Director. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale transformation programmes, scaled global operations, and driven digital innovation across multiple international markets.

William is a Chartered Management Accountant and holds a degree in Economics and Accounting from Cardiff University. He also founded and operates the Bal Shiksha Foundation, supporting access to education for disadvantaged children in India.

Siobhan Forey

Siobhan Forey is an experienced Chief People Officer and HR leader with extensive Board-level experience across international organisations. She has a strong track record of leading transformational change, business restructuring, acquisitions and organisational development, while helping organisations build high-performing, inclusive and sustainable cultures.

Prior to joining Global University Systems as Chief People Officer, Siobhan held senior HR leadership roles at Debenhams Group and Arcadia Group, where she was responsible for shaping people strategy, talent development, organisational capability and employee engagement across complex and fast-moving businesses.

Siobhan combines strategic vision with pragmatic operational delivery and is recognised for her expertise in talent acquisition, reward, leadership development and organisational transformation. She is particularly passionate about developing leaders and creating environments where people and organisations can thrive.

She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and holds an Executive Coaching qualification from Henley Business School, reflecting her commitment to leadership development and coaching as a powerful driver of individual and organisational performance.

Shoro Dasgupta

Shoro Dasgupta is a Board member of Study Group and works closely with the Executive Leadership Team. He helps drive business performance, strategic alignment and operational execution across the organisation.

Shoro brings extensive experience in strategy, transformation and business operations, working across a wide range of growth initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions, organisational development and operational improvement. He partners with leadership teams to identify opportunities, prioritise investment and ensure focus on initiatives that deliver long-term value and student success.

Shoro holds an MBA from London Business School and a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Auckland.

Professor Keith Straughan

Professor Keith Straughan is an experienced academic leader, entrepreneur and adviser with extensive governance and leadership experience across higher education, innovation and organisational transformation. He has held senior leadership positions at the University of Cambridge and University Centre Milton Keynes and has worked with organisations across more than 40 countries to support growth, leadership development and institutional performance.

Keith is Professor of Global Entrepreneurship and Digital Technology at Carnegie Mellon University Africa and holds Adjunct Professorships in London, Vienna, Accra and Kuala Lumpur. He brings a strong international perspective to strategic decision-making, innovation and organisational development.

Keith holds degrees in Physics, Medical Imaging and Theology and is the author of more than 100 academic papers and six patents.

Alison Allden OBE

Alison Allden OBE is a higher education governance specialist with extensive experience in university leadership, strategy and regulation. Formerly Chief Executive of the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), she worked closely with universities, government departments and policymakers to improve the quality and use of higher education data and evidence.

Prior to HESA, Alison held senior leadership roles within Russell Group universities, including Chief Information Officer and Chief Operating Officer at the University of Bristol. She now advises higher education institutions on governance, strategy and regulatory matters, undertaking governance reviews for Advance HE and supporting providers seeking registration with the Office for Students and Degree Awarding Powers. 

Alison has served on a range of boards and governing bodies across the education and regulatory sectors and was awarded an OBE in 2016 for services to Higher Education. She holds a degree in Classics and Archaeology from the University of Bristol and a Master's degree in Administration, Data Management and Information Systems from the London School of Economics.