We are pleased to announce that Dr Ghazwa Alwani-Starr has been appointed as our Chief Operating Officer.
The Chief Operating Officer plays a pivotal role in the delivery of the University Strategy and is responsible for key corporate functions across Campus Infrastructure, Campus Services, Digital, Education & Student Services, Sports, Sustainability and Commercial Services.
Ghazwa is a professional Chartered Civil and Structural Engineer whose career has spanned senior roles in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Ghazwa has extensive experience in Higher Education, most recently as Chief Operating Officer at Queen Mary University of London. Before that, she was first Director of Property and Facilities Management and then Pro Vice-Chancellor Strategy, Planning and Partnerships for The University of London. Earlier in her career she was Director of Estates and Campus Services at The University of Roehampton.
Professor Ian White, Vice-Chancellor and President, said: “I’m delighted that Ghazwa will be joining us in September as our Chief Operating Officer. Ghazwa brings with her impressive experience across a range of areas that are critical to the continued future success of the University. The panel was particularly impressed by her experience in managing large, complex projects with a focus on benefiting students and staff to further learning and research.”
Dr Ghazwa Alwani-Starr said: “I am thrilled to be joining the University of Bath as Chief Operating Officer. Bath is one of the most successful higher education institutions in the country and I feel honoured to be joining the team to drive further success for students and staff of the University. I am particularly excited by the opportunity to apply my experience to date and skill set to addressing some of the priorities identified in the University Strategy.”
Ghazwa gained both her BSc Hons Architectural Engineering and her PhD at the University of Leeds. She became a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Structural Engineers in 1991 and a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 2002. Her career spanned the private and public sectors, including the Construction Industry Research and Information Association, British Airports Authority, The Prince of Wales Foundation and the NHS, before taking on senior roles within the Higher Education sector.
Ghaz (as she likes to be called informally) will join the University of Bath in the role of Chief Operating Officer from 4 September 2023.