Leadership Team
We are responsible for building careers and creating growth and development in leading organisations across the globe.
Graham Gaddes - Chief Executive Officer
Graham is the CEO of BPP Education Group and is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the business. He has worked in private education for 29 years, with a wealth of experience across all areas of the education sector.
Richard Simmons - Executive Chairman
Richard is a Director of BPP University, of which he was Chairman from 2010 to 2017. A former Senior Partner of Arthur Andersen, Richard served as adviser to a number of Government and Shadow Ministers between 1979 and 2012.
Professor Tim Stewart - Vice-Chancellor, BPP University
Tim was appointed Vice-Chancellor in 2017 and is a Professor of Business Education. Tim was asked by the QAA to be involved in writing the sector benchmark for Business Management and help define the higher education code around student engagement.
Professor Tim Jones - Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Tim joined BPP University as Deputy Vice-Chancellor from the University of Worcester where he was Pro Vice-Chancellor. He has worked in higher education for over 20 years and is a strong advocate for enhancing student engagement and the learner experience. Tim is a Chartered Psychologist and has influenced national and international education policy in the teaching of psychology.
Adam Temple - Managing Director, Professional Qualifications
As a Managing Director, Adam has full responsibility for our Professional Qualifications division. This includes operational delivery teams, the product portfolio, content development and strategic relationships with corporate clients across a range of sectors.
Jeremy Bodey - Director of Strategy, Innovation and Technology
Since joining BPP in 2012, Jeremy has held a number of key positions within BPP that encompass project management, change, digital and strategic disciplines. His influence has shaped how BPP uses technology to stay ahead in the global marketplace.
Deborah Taylor - Director of International Education Solutions
Deborah joined BPP in 1999 and progressed towards Director of Qualifications, designing and implementing BPP’s products in the UK and overseas. As Director of International Education Solutions, she oversees BPP’s international strategy with a focus on developing BPP’s global client base.
James Hammill - Chief Revenue Officer
As Chief Revenue Officer, James is responsible for devising and delivering the B2B strategy across BPP Group, helping employers to develop the capabilities they require to deliver their objectives. James also manages strategic relationships with some of BPP’s largest clients.
Mark Griffiths - Chief Property Officer
Mark joined BPP in 2012 and has over 20 years’ experience in professional education. He previously led several operational business areas and is now responsible for all of the Group’s property portfolio and its associated Facilities and Planning teams.
Stuart Kay - Chief Marketing Officer
Stuart brings over 20 years’ experience in digital marketing roles for some of the world’s leading agencies and businesses. Leading digital-first marketing teams, he thrives in maximising the ever-evolving opportunities of technology to connect with audiences in innovative and engaging ways.
Alison Wells - Senior Director, Talent Solutions
Alison was appointed Senior Director – Talent Solutions in 2023. A solicitor with 23 years’ experience in professional education, she works extensively with law and apprenticeship clients and is a graduate of Warwick University, having achieved an MBA whilst working for BPP.
Garry Buick - Chief People Officer
Garry joined BPP in 2008 and is responsible for BPP’s HR function. Garry aims to bring people processes to the core of the BPP business, ready to facilitate growth and foster a strong Employee Value Proposition for the Group.
Gary Dart - Group Finance Director
As Group Finance Director, Gary oversees core day-to-day finance functions, including financial reporting, treasury, tax, and processing. He has worked in private education for six years, is ICAEW qualified, KPMG trained and has experience working in FTSE finance environments.
Andy Payne - Chief Operating Officer
Andy is a qualified accountant and joined BPP in 2006 where he has held numerous management roles including Chief Finance Officer and Chief Experience Officer. Andy is responsible for all non-university business units and operational departments.
Sarah McIlroy - Dean of Business School & Chief of International Student Strategy
Sarah has developed the Business School as a destination for international students by providing innovative programmes with a global employability focus. She ensures that the international student experience gives them the best possible start in their professional careers.
Rachel Picton - Dean of School of Nursing
Rachel joined BPP in September 2024 and brings experience from across the health, regulatory and education sectors. Rachel has developed new programmes for the Allied Health professions both in the UK and overseas and will lead the school into new opportunities across health and social care.
David Dowdall - Chief Admin Officer
David has overseen many strategic projects since joining BPP in 2012, including the transition of IT services from the US, operational scale-up for BPP University Business School and a key role in the adoption and integration of all BPP acquisitions.
Paul Rowlett - Managing Director of BPP Digital
Paul has a wealth of experience across innovation and tech. He has previously held Director roles where he has been responsible for strategic growth, business development, training, R&D, and creating a pipeline of future talent for the advanced manufacturing sector.
Jo-Anne Pugh - Dean of BPP University Law School
Jo-Anne joined BPP in 2004 and has experience in legal education across programme design, operational management and leadership. She recently led the redesign of the Law School’s programme portfolio to meet the new regulatory frameworks of the SRA and BSB.
Jane Houston - Deputy Dean of BPP University Law School
Jane's background is in private practice as a litigator. As Deputy Dean of the Law School, Jane focuses on academic standards, quality, and student experience to make BPP University Law School the first choice for students and law firms.
Sonali Bricola - Director of Corporate Development
Sonali joined BPP in 2009 in BPP's Professional Development division and was previously the Director of Financial Services. In her current role, Sonali is responsible for directing the Merger and Acquisition activity across the BPP Education Group.
Cassandra MacDonald - Dean of BPP University School of Technology
Cassandra originally trained as a Chartered Accountant for KPMG before moving into accountancy tutoring. She joined BPP in 2019 and has responsibility for overseeing all aspects of delivery in the School of Technology.
Dr Peter Alston - Dean of Education Services
Peter joined BPP in 2019 and has extensive experience across a range of subject disciplines in designing, developing, and delivering innovative academic programmes. Peter’s role focuses on leading central specialist services that support and enhance the learner and student experience.
Jo Preston-Taylor - Chief Financial Officer
Jo started her career as a Chartered Accountant at Ernst & Young, before joining BPP in 2007. Jo’s role as Chief Financial Officer focuses on forecasting and reviewing internal metrics to ensure BPP is performing and optimised for growth.
Emma O'Dell - Skills and Capability Planning Director
Emma joined BPP in 2015 and brings expertise across a range of senior HR, Early Career, Talent and L&D roles. Emma helps organisations understand their current and future skills needs, actively researching trends around talent shortages and advocating for bridging these gaps.
Jo Wickremasinghe - Chief Product and Technology Officer
With over 20 years’ experience in digital product management and development, Jo has led digital product teams at Microsoft, BBC, News UK, Babylon Health, and Zoopla. She joined BPP to improve the digital customer experiences across the entire learning life cycle.
Khayrul Alam - International Recruitment Director
Khayrul joined BPP in 1999 and is responsible for growth across our international markets. He has extensive experience in international student recruitment with deep insight of working across multiple geographies and managing a global team.
Nikki Botterill - Director of Apprenticeship Strategy and Operations
Nikki has 15 years’ experience in the education sector. She successfully led BPP Professional Education to be awarded “Good” by Ofsted. Nikki’s role focuses on apprenticeship strategy and driving improvement in operational processes to enhance the learner journey.
Nichola Hay MBE - Director of Apprenticeship Strategy and Policy
Nichola has worked in further education for over 20 years, helping UK businesses attract new talent and upskill employees. She is at the forefront of thought leadership and guidance on the challenges and opportunities within the UK's apprenticeship market.
Laura Varrier - Chief Legal Officer
Laura joined BPP in 2017 and was appointed as Chief Legal Officer in 2023. Laura is responsible for overseeing BPP’s internal legal function and strategy as well as holding the positions of Ethics and Compliance Officer and Data Protection Officer.
Kevin Coupland - Director of School of People and Skills Development & School of Financial Services
Kevin joined BPP in 2012 and is responsible for the financial and operational management of the School of People and Skills Development and the School of Financial Services, alongside partnering with clients to build programmes that truly add business value.
Will Lamprell - Group HR Director
Will joined the BPP HR team in June 2020, moving to the role of Group HR Director in August 2022. Will leads the Group HR function and is responsible for engaging, recruiting, and developing colleagues across BPP.
Michael Gaffer - Director of Customer Experience
Michael has worked in a range of service and support roles for BPP since 2006. As Director of Customer Experience, he is responsible for delivering exceptional customer service as well as leveraging technology for future innovations.
Annette Martinelli - Director of Business Integration
Annette joined BPP in 2022 and is CIPD and PRINCE2 qualified. She is responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective integration of new business acquisitions into the BPP Group. Her experience spans financial services, the public sector, legal services, and digital media.