UCB strengthens its leadership team | News | University College Birmingham

March 2026

Three senior appointments will deepen business and community partnerships

By Claire Huggins

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On International Women's Day 2026, we are delighted to announce that we have strengthened our senior leadership team for 2026 and beyond, with the appointment of three highly experienced professionals. Each will play a central role in shaping the University’s progression, ensuring our provision remains future focused, resilient and responsive to the needs of students, employers and the wider region.

From enhancing the student experience and embedding academic excellence, to expanding partnerships with industry and deepening our community impact, our new colleagues bring expertise that aligns directly with our mission:

We enable those who learn with us to be empowered, enriched and employed in high quality jobs, supporting them to advance themselves and their communities towards a sustainable future.

Introducing:

Dana Cameron

Executive Director of Strategic Marketing & Student Recruitment

Dana joins the University with a 25-year track record of senior marketing leadership across multiple sectors. Having held director-level positions at organisations including PIPEX, Sky UK - The Cloud and UCAS, she brings formidable experience in audience engagement, brand transformation and strategic marketing.

Prior to joining us, Dana served as Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment at Buckinghamshire New University for six years, where she led both home and international recruitment strategies, and successfully guided the institution through a major rebrand.

Dana holds an LLB in Law from the University of Essex and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, reflecting her long standing commitment to professional excellence in marketing.

“I was drawn to this role because of University College Birmingham’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of education,” Dana explained

“The institution’s commitment to widening participation and creating meaningful opportunities for under-represented students deeply resonates with me. I am particularly inspired by UCB’s focus on delivering career-focused education shaped directly by industry, empowering learners with the skills and confidence to change their lives.

“What truly sets UCB apart is that it doesn’t just pay lip service to student support -it lives and breathes it. From meaningful cost of living support to exceptional, industry-standard facilities, the University backs its ambition with action, ensuring every student has the environment, resources and confidence to thrive.”

Harriet Dickinson

Head of Year 13, University College Birmingham Sixth Form

Harriet began her career as a biology teacher twenty years ago.
After teaching in an Academy in Sandwell, she completed her master’s degree before moving into private education.

Harriet went on to serve as both Head of Science and Head of Sixth Form, gaining extensive experience in academic and pastoral leadership. Her approach is rooted in the nurture and development of well-rounded, ambitious young people, combining high expectations with personalised support to help students achieve and exceed their goals.

Her dual perspective as both subject specialist and pastoral leader enables her to take a holistic view of student progress and life beyond 18- an approach that will shape the experience of our Sixth Form students.

“Pastoral care has always been a huge passion of mine and is a vitally important part of my role,” Harriet said.

“I am a proud and committed teacher who thrives when surrounded by aspirational colleagues and students, I’m delighted to have found my place at UCB.”

Vickie Pargetter-Garner

Director of Business & Employer Engagement

Vickie Pargetter-Garner joins University College Birmingham as its new Director of Business & Employer Engagement, bringing significant higher education and industry experience to the role.

A proud Midlander, Vickie spent 13 years at the University of Birmingham in senior business development roles. She most recently led TechWM’s digital skills and commercial impact agenda, working at the intersection of education, policy and the region’s rapidly evolving tech ecosystem.

Her return to higher education is underpinned by a clear sense of purpose.

“Education is transformational,” Vickie said.

“It unlocks opportunity, drives social mobility and equips people with the confidence and capability to change their futures. That belief has shaped my career, and it’s what drew me so strongly to UCB.”

Under the University’s ‘Putting Knowledge to Work’ strategy, Vickie will lead a refreshed business engagement approach designed to strengthen employer partnerships, accelerate innovation and enhance institutional resilience. Her portfolio spans student placements and work experience, careers and employability, alumni engagement and the University’s Unitemps recruitment agency.
Since joining, she has been struck by the scale and strength of the institution’s commercial offer and believes the University is poised to raise its profile even further, within the region’s business community.

“UCB is a significant economic and civic player in Birmingham, yet it remains modest about its impact,” Vicki adds.

“The breadth of UCB’s engagement with industry is remarkable: it combines industry-focused education with real commercial capability, from access to high-calibre talent to sector-specific expertise and commercial services, there is a powerful proposition here for businesses looking to grow, innovate and invest in future skills.

“My focus is on ensuring more businesses recognise the value of partnering with what is, in many ways, one of the city’s hidden assets.”

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