Margaret Ayers

Biography

Margaret Ayers is UAL's Chief People Officer, bringing extensive sector and Human Resources experience to her role.

Margaret joined UAL in September 2026, following 8 years as Chief People Officer for Canterbury Christ Church University. She has previously held HR Director positions at several other universities, including University of Edinburgh, University of Kent and Queen Mary University. Margaret has made significant contributions to the wider HE sector as a Board member of the Equality Challenge Unit (now Advance HE); as the Chair of Universities Human Resources and through work for the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA).

As Chief People Officer, Margaret is responsible for providing strategic leadership at organisational level on all aspects of People and Culture, including Health and Safety. The Strategy supports a culture of accountability, fairness and collaboration, enabling the University to work towards its strategic vision through the collective talent of its staff.

Margaret's role involves:

• working with Executive Board colleagues and University leadership to maximise the potential of our people, through developing the culture and capabilities needed to deliver the University's Strategy
• Championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, promoting staff and student wellbeing
• Working with other senior leaders to develop joined-up, sustainable, digital and student-centric services and ways of working

UAL's People and Culture department is a foundational support of UAL’s commitment to fostering an environment where staff and students can thrive and produce their best work. This department ensures UAL's talent has the right skills and experiences, deployed in the right roles, to meet its strategic objectives.