Emma Potts: Interim Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary
Biography
Emma joined the University as Interim Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary in February 2024.
Emma holds an undergraduate degree in Music from the University of Manchester and has 35 years’ experience in university administration. She worked at Sussex in senior interim roles between 2020 and 2023, including as Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Deputy University Secretary, and as Interim Director of Research and Enterprise Services. After leaving Sussex in 2023 she was Interim University Secretary at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Before arriving at Sussex in 2020, Emma held permanent roles at University College London (UCL), Oxford and Buckingham. She started her career at UCL, working for a number of years in academic Registry roles and from there she moved to the University of Oxford and undertook a number of senior roles within Student Administration and Services, with her last role there as Academic Registrar. From there she moved to the University of Buckingham, to be Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary before moving into an interim career.
Role
As Interim Chief Operating Officer, Emma is responsible for a number of the Professional Services divisions. Professional Services staff provide expertise across the University to support the delivery of our strategic aspirations. The divisions aim to provide exceptional support to schools and departments, and services directly to students; alumni and staff; to other clients of the University, including the local and regional community; and to a range of partners, friends and supporters.
As Interim University Secretary, Emma is Secretary to the University's Council and responsible for governance matters. Emma is a member of the University Executive Team, University Leadership Forum and chairs a number of University Groups and Committees.