LJMU appoints new Pro-Vice-Chancellor

Liverpool John Moores University has appointed a new Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement and Partnerships

Dr Aileen Jones, who is currently Executive Director of Investment and Delivery at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, will take up post at the university in September.

Aileen’s portfolio as PVC will include the strategic leadership of LJMU’s partnerships within the UK and internationally and the university’s external engagement work.

In her current role at the combined authority, Aileen leads investment work to maximise economic impact. Leading a team of more than 220 staff, she developed the strategic vision for the economic development of the city region and investment of devolved funding.

She also led the delivery of business support and the city region’s inward investment function, as well as the delivery of complex devolved programmes with a focus on people and skills, apprenticeships and homelessness.

Aileen joined the combined authority in 2018 as Head of Evidence, Research and Intelligence and became Assistant Director of Policy and Strategic Commissioning in October 2019.

Before that, she was Deputy Director of the Heseltine Institute at the University of Liverpool and previously Head of UK Public Policy for HSBC in London, following 15 years working in public policy.

She has split her career between the public and private sectors, including three years in Parliament as a Committee Specialist, leading Select Committee inquiries on a wide range of issues including security, criminal justice and community relations.

A long-standing passion for education

Aileen said: “I am delighted to be joining LJMU and for the chance to work with colleagues from across the university, as we seek to build on the strong platforms for our external engagement and partnerships work. 

“Alongside this, I am excited about the opportunity to help forge stronger links with key local, regional, national and international stakeholders and ensure that the university maximises its impact and tells a strong story. 

“My move to LJMU reflects my long-standing passion for education and a belief in what universities can do to help transform lives. I saw this first-hand growing up in Northern Ireland and have seen the difference LJMU has made in the lives of its students through my work in the city region. I cannot wait to get started and join the team.”