UCL appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Following a global search, we are delighted to announce that Fiona Ryland will be UCL's Chief Operating Officer from 1 January 2019, following Rex Knight's retirement in December. The new COO role has responsibility for key professional services teams including Human Resources, Finance and Business Affairs, Legal Services, Estates and Information Services Division. As part of her new remit, Fiona will take over as co-sponsor of the Transforming Our Professional Services (TOPS) programme along with Professor Anthony Smith. This includes the Professional Services Hub initiative, which was announced in June 2018. Fiona joined UCL in April 2017 as Executive Director of Human Resources and a member of UCL's Senior Management Team. In this role, she has successfully built a diverse and talented leadership team that will deliver our new and ambitious HR strategy. Fiona Ryland commented: "I'm passionate about providing meaningful careers for staff with fair and transparent development and promotion opportunities.