We are delighted to announce that the final webinar in our professional services series is dedicated to exploring the opportunities available in student services.
On Wednesday, 18 November we heard from a panel of experts and found out how your valuable skills can make a real impact in higher education.
We hope to inspire professional services candidates from all sectors and encourage them to explore what a career in higher education could mean for them. Listen to our panellists’ stories, discover answers to your questions and find out why a career in student services could be for you.
Participants
Gillian Hamnett 
Director of Student Welfare and Support Services, University of Oxford
Gillian has worked in student services for 13 years, after a portfolio career working in publishing, web design and even the Prison Service. Since 2007 Gillian has worked in various roles at the University of Oxford, with small populations in Colleges and now as Director of Student Welfare and Support Services. This role includes responsibility for student welfare services (c.100 staff), policy and strategy and expert advice on issues such as Safeguarding and Prevent. In the past she has also worked in registry and academic support roles. The Gillian has been involved with professional organisations such as the AUA and currently AMOSSHE with a particular interest in EDI.
Benedict van der Linde 
Head of Student Experience, Aston University
In 2017 Benedict moved to Aston University to take on the role of Advice Zone Manager in Student and Academic Services. This is a broad role coordinating support across several different areas of Aston’s student support services. He is responsible for the Student Advice Team (finance, fees, funding and welfare advice), the Accommodation Team, the Residence Tutor Team (Hall Wardens), the Student Services Reception Team as well as having operational responsibility for the University’s Chaplaincy Team.
Jordan James Kirkwood 
Head of Operations, King’s Academy, KCL
Jordan entered into Higher Education straight out of University, after being President of Aston Students’ Union, overseeing Education and Welfare. Jordan had many roles during his 3 professional years at Aston University, involving multiple roles in key university functions (student services, registry, marketing, HR, finance etc), secondments to other universities, one of which was international for a consulting role; and finished his time setting up the Student Projects Office at Aston – a project management office for students to undertake meaningful project work within the university as part of their placement experience.
Lorna Quickfall
Manager of Student Welfare, The University of Edinburgh
Lorna Quickfall is the Manager of Student Welfare at the School of Economics at the University of Edinburgh. Lorna brings many years’ experience as a teacher for young people experiencing mental health problems to the university. Lorna started her career in science, and moved into secondary teaching, over time becoming the Head Teacher of an independent school providing education for Tier 4 Child and Adolescent Mental Health inpatients.
Lorna helps students to identify strategies to overcome barriers to reach their goals in education. Lorna works proactively with the School and wider university communities on issues of inclusion and wellbeing. Lorna is currently undertaking a Masters in Professional Education at the University of Stirling.
Phil Scarffe 
Head of Student Welfare, De Montfort University
Phil originally worked in Forensic Mental Health Social Work before moving into Higher Education. He has worked in the sector for the last 21 years, the last 8 of which have been as Head of Student Welfare at De Montfort University (DMU).
At DMU he is the operational lead for Safeguarding, and established a network of Safeguarding Officers across the university to intervene in issues related to child protection, and situations involving adults at risk. He also oversees the Mandala project which responds to disclosures of sexual and domestic violence.
This webinar has now taken place. A video will be available shortly.