School of Health & Life Sciences

Dr Ann French

Dean

Dr Ann French is responsible for the School's overall strategic development. She was previously the Associate Dean for Marketing and Recruitment. Ann is a Registered General Nurse with a background in palliative and end of life care. She completed a PhD in Palliative Care at the International Observatory on End of Life Care at Lancaster University.

Scott Godfrey

Associate Dean (Marketing & Recruitment)

Scott leads the School’s marketing and student recruitment efforts. As a Registered Nurse and experienced academic, he’s held various roles, including Senior Lecturer, Principal Lecturer in Marketing and Student Recruitment, and Head of Department for Nursing & Midwifery. Committed to lifelong learning, he’s currently pursuing a Professional Doctorate.

Dr Kevin Thomas

Associate Dean (International)

Kevin is responsible for the development of international education opportunities for the School's health, social care, and science-related programmes. By profession, he is a chartered building surveyor who worked in both public and private practice prior to entering academia in 1992.

Carlie Johnston-Blyth

Associate Dean (Learning & Teaching)

Carlie is a registered mental health nurse with a background in forensics, acute and primary and secondary services. She has held many senior management roles within the NHS and has extensive knowledge and experience in commissioning. Carlie gained an MSc in Transformational Leadership at Teesside University, and has led on a range of regional and national large-scale change and transformation projects.

Professor Jeff Breckon

Associate Dean (Research)

Professor Jeff Breckon is responsible for research and innovation across the School and its networks internally and externally. Jeff is a British Psychological Society and Health and Care Professions Council chartered psychologist with experience in the design and delivery of behaviour change interventions across a range of health, community and workplace settings.

Ruth Mitchell

Associate Dean (Knowledge Exchange)

Ruth oversees Continuing Professional Development within the School, including commissioned courses, apprenticeships, accredited and non-accredited short courses, and masterclasses. Ruth works closely with partners, including NHS and private healthcare organisations, to address and meet their workforce development needs. Ruth is a Registered Nurse and has held roles including Senior Lecturer, Principal Lecturer in Leadership and Quality Improvement, and Head of Department for the Allied Health Professions.

Ptolemy Neoptolemos

Head of Department (Nursing & Midwifery)

Ptolemy oversees the delivery and development of our nursing and midwifery provision within the School. He has a clinical background in acute and emergency care and is an experienced academic, previously holding roles including Senior Lecturer and Principal Lecturer for Staffing and Resources. He is dedicated to advancing academic excellence and healthcare education and is currently undertaking a PhD exploring how healthcare students cope with stress.

Jill Kent

Head of Department (Allied Health)

Jill is a qualified physiotherapist with extensive experience in various healthcare settings, including the NHS and private practice. She has a diverse clinical and academic background, and significant expertise in practice-based learning, having led local and national initiatives to expand placement opportunities across the allied health professions. Jill is deeply committed to fostering inclusive, contemporary curricula, ensuring the development of future-ready healthcare professionals.

Dr Jibin He

Head of Department (Life Science)

Jibin leads the life science provision within the School. As a Chartered Scientist in Food Science, Jibin is dedicated to leading the department to deliver world-class education and research in diverse subjects including bioscience, food and nutrition, sport science, forensic science, environmental science, and health and medicine-related sciences. A specific focus is working with industries and communities to apply our knowledge and skills in practice, and deliver impactful solutions to society.

Helen Day

School Registrar

Linda Chambers

School Manager

As School Manager, Linda is responsible for supporting the Dean in the leadership and management of the school with particular emphasis on strategy, resource management and performance.