York’s Executive Board appointments

Posted on 22 October 2024

The University of York has confirmed new appointments to its Executive Board to strengthen academic support and combined financial and operational leadership.

Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Nigel Alcock, and Chief Academic Services Officer, Vikki Goddard

Following Nigel Alcock joining the Board as Chief Financial and Operating Officer in September 2024, York has also announced Vikki Goddard will be its new Chief Academic Services Officer.

Vikki’s appointment is the final Board position to be recruited after reviewing and reorganising Board roles, bringing a 3 FTE reduction at Board level since August 2023.

Welcoming Vikki Goddard

Vikki Goddard will take up the role from 3 March 2025, combining previous roles to lead our academic support infrastructure and enhance student experiences.

She will bring together leadership of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (RIKE), Student and Academic Services (SAS), and Faculty Operations.

Vikki is a highly respected leader in Higher Education, with nearly three decades of experience in the sector having held roles as Registrar, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Strategic Planning, and Director of Faculty Operations. She has held senior leadership positions at the universities of Manchester, Salford and Liverpool, and has a long-standing commitment to the development of Professional Services staff and to diversity and inclusion.

Commenting on the announcement, Vikki said: “I’m really pleased to be joining York and learning more about how we provide excellent support for both students and academics across our professional services. It draws on my experience in other universities and it’s great to be able to build on York’s amazing track record across research and teaching, as well as its commitment to its community. I am really looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Welcoming Nigel Alcock

Since joining York in the summer, Nigel is providing strategic oversight for Finance, HR, IT, Estates and Campus Services, External Relations, Governance and Assurance, and coordination of central Professional Support operational activity.

He has operated at senior/board level for the last 17 years in large, complex organisations - both from the UK and overseas - in financial governance, strategic and operational management. He has worked across the higher education, healthcare, energy, automotive and industrial sectors.

When joining York, Nigel said: “After a wide-ranging commercial career, I have found the higher education sector to be rewarding and enjoyable, as well as a refreshing change. It's great to be joining a fantastic university with an inspiring vision.”

Find out more about the University Executive Board