The Union staff work closely with the Officers and Trustees to deliver outstanding operational services to the students at Newman. As a small group of staff, each of the team has specific duties, however they work collaboratively to deliver new intiatives and projects across the organisation. You can find out a little more about our staff team below and how to contact them.
Union Director - Robin Pitt
The Union Director is the senior staff leader of Newman Students’ Union, with overall responsibility for the strategic development, effective management and day-to-day leadership of the organisation. He leads the Students’ Union staff team and works closely with the Officer Trustees and Student Council, providing the professional advice, resources and support they need to deliver their priorities and effectively represent Newman students.
Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, the Union Director is responsible for ensuring the Students’ Union is well governed, financially sustainable and compliant with its legal, regulatory and charitable responsibilities. He oversees the implementation of the Union’s Strategy, translating its strategic objectives into operational priorities and ensuring that the organisation continues to develop its services, representation and impact for students.
The Union Director also plays a key role in maintaining and developing the Students’ Union’s strategic partnership with Birmingham Newman University. He represents the Union on a range of University committees and works directly with senior University leaders, providing a professional link between the two organisations and ensuring that the student voice is represented within institutional discussions, planning and decision-making.
Tel: 0121 476 1181
Student Voice & Advice Manager - Zoe Harrison
The Student Voice & Advice Manager is responsible for leading and managing the Students’ Union’s Advice Service and academic representation functions, ensuring that students have access to high-quality, impartial advice, advocacy and effective representation throughout their academic experience.
The Manager oversees the Students’ Union Advice Service, providing impartial advice, guidance and representation to students on a range of academic matters, including Academic Misconduct, Academic Appeals and Complaints. The service also supports and represents students through Fitness to Practise, Fitness to Study, Academic Misconduct Panels and Student Disciplinary processes.
Alongside the Advice Service, the Manager has overall responsibility for the effective delivery and development of the Union’s academic representation system and directly manages the Student Voice & Representation Co-ordinator. This includes overseeing the recruitment, training and support of Course Reps and School Reps, strengthening mechanisms for gathering and escalating student feedback.
Tel: 0121 387 4625
Student Voice & Representation Co-ordinator - Jason Sparkhall
The Student Voice & Representation Co-ordinator is responsible for supporting and developing the Students’ Union’s academic representation system, ensuring that students have effective opportunities to influence their academic experience. This includes recruiting, training and supporting Course Reps, working with School Reps and elected officers, and helping students to raise issues and provide feedback. The Co-ordinator works closely with University staff to ensure that the student voice is heard within academic decision-making, and supports the Students’ Union to identify themes, communicate outcomes and close the feedback loop with students.
Student Voice & Communities Co-ordinator - Danilo Paganelli
The Student Voice & Communities Co-ordinator is responsible for supporting the development of an active, inclusive and engaged student community at Newman. This includes supporting and developing student-led societies, helping students to establish new groups and activities, and providing society committees with the guidance, training and resources they need to succeed. The Co-ordinator also works closely with elected officers and students to develop community, wellbeing and engagement initiatives, creating opportunities for students to connect, participate and build a sense of belonging. Through this work, the Co-ordinator helps ensure that students from across the University have opportunities to get involved, shape their student experience and find their place within the Newman community.