My Work

Dianne successfully championed the development of York St John University from a modest two-site traditional college, to become by 2010 a thriving University with a turnover of £40M and a student population of 6K. Working with Governors, staff and students she led a modernisation agenda which involved sound judgement in the shift to one campus in York; mobilising collective will and activity towards achieving university status; and a re-invention of estate through new-build and refurbishment, giving visibility to a new and distinctive identity – building partnerships and relocating traditional strengths within inspirational new learning spaces and new learning programmes.

A particularly rewarding part of Dianne’s current agenda is successfully mentoring junior and mid-career women (and men) to raise levels of ambition and achieve their potential.

My Awards

2009 | York Press Business Awards: Lifetime Achievement

2010 | Deputy Lieutenant North Yorkshire

2012 | Honorary Doctorate Sheffield Hallam University

2017 | Honorary Fellow Rose Bruford College

2018 | Honorary Doctorate York St John University

2019 | Honorary Doctorate London Metropolitan University