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Paul Woodgates
Independent strategic advisor and non-executive director in the education sector
Paul Woodgates serves as the Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors at De Montfort University (DMU). He was appointed to this position in May 2024, having previously been an Independent Governor since January 2022 and Chair of the Finance and Performance Committee since July 2022.125
Background and Experience
Paul has extensive experience in the education sector, particularly in strategy, operations, and change management. He previously led the international education consulting practice at PA Consulting, where he collaborated with various organizations, including universities, government bodies, and funding agencies. His work focused on defining strategies, improving educational outcomes, and enhancing operational efficiency.134
He holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from Durham University and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. Throughout his career, Paul has held various roles such as auditor, consultant, and change manager across numerous public sector organizations both in the UK and internationally.124
Current Roles
In addition to his role at DMU, Paul Woodgates is also a non-executive director for the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and Advance HE, where he contributes to governance and strategic oversight within the higher education landscape.13 His term as Deputy Chair at DMU will run until September 2026.1
