Dr Jean Brown

Biography

Dr Jean Brown is the University Secretary at the University of Cumbria, where she reports to both the Chair of the Board and the Vice Chancellor.  Her portfolio covers a range of governance and compliance matters, including being the Secretary to the University Board and its committees; Company Secretary; and with responsibility for the range of University Executive Committees.  She is also responsible for: managing the ongoing registration of the University with the Office for Students; the provision of legal services; ensuring compliance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation and Freedom of Information Act; is institutional lead for Freedom of Speech; manages the relationship with the internal audit service; has oversight of risk management for the University; and is the institutional lead / contact for a range of compliance matters.

With a PhD in Chemistry, following a postdoctoral year in Canada Jean’s career started in industry, working for ICI Acrylics.  She initially moved into higher education by working for UNIAC, a provider of internal audit services to the sector.  A move to a senior role at UCLan (now the University of Lancashire) followed, where she had responsibilities that included strategic planning, data insights, risk management, and internal audit. She joined the University in 2018 from a senior role at UNIAC.