Nick Dearden has just retired as Director of Learning and Teaching at Staffordshire University, where he was responsible for the implementation of the university’s academic strategy. He led the university’s Academic Development, Digital Pedagogies, Academic Quality Service, Education Research and Evaluation, Academic Projects and Student and Graduate Employability teams.

His most recent projects include: developing and implementing a transition to HE programme, working with nine partner sixth form colleges across the UK, in 2022-23 and beyond; creating an institutional micro-credentials framework; and leading Academic CPD framework development.

Prior to joining Staffs, he was Head of Education (Associate Dean/Faculty Director of Education) in the Faculty of Business and Law at Manchester Metropolitan University, which delivers UG, PGT and Executive Education (including degree apprenticeship programmes) to 10,000 students, over more than 150 programmes.

He initially trained as a solicitor. He joined Manchester Law School in 1996, has taught at the University of Hong Kong (SPACE) for 17 years, acted as Chief External Examiner and as External Advisor, on international partner approval and programme validation processes.

Nick has served as a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools’ Learning, Teaching & Student Experience Committee. He is a regular contributor to the NCEE, Entrepreneurial Leaders and Entrepreneurial Heads programmes, focussing on leading change.

In his voluntary life, over a period of 20 years, Nick has acted as Chair of the Board of Directors and director/trustee of AKT, a charity working with homeless LGBT+ young people.