Fiona Cownie FAcSS FRSA PFHEA

Professor of Law Emerita, Keele University

Fiona Cownie was appointed as a co-opted member of the Audit Committee in August 2023 after serving as a governor since May 2019 and as Deputy Chair of the Board from May 2020.

Fiona brings to the university a rich knowledge and experience of the higher education sector, an area about which she has researched and written for many years. She is a Senior Research Associate of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Fiona is currently Professor of Law Emerita at Keele University. From 2013 to 2017, she held the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) at Keele, and prior to that, held senior positions at Hull University and the University of Leicester.

 At Keele, she acted as the strategic lead for all aspects of learning and teaching, leading the university to a Teaching Excellence Framework ‘Gold’ award and some of the highest levels of student satisfaction across the sector.

As a local resident of the city since 1980, Fiona has a deep connection to the local area, an area in which she has chosen to continue to reside despite carrying out roles a significant distance away from the city. She views her role on the board as an opportunity to give something back to the region.