Skip to content Accessibility statement

York’s Executive Board appointments

News

Posted on Tuesday 22 October 2024

The University of York has confirmed new appointments to its Executive Board to strengthen academic support and combined financial and operational leadership.
Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Nigel Alcock, and Chief Academic Services Officer, Vikki Goddard

Following Nigel Alcock joining the Board as Chief Financial and Operating Officer in September 2024, York has also announced Vikki Goddard will be its new Chief Academic Services Officer.

Vikki’s appointment is the final Board position to be recruited after reviewing and reorganising Board roles, bringing a 3 FTE reduction at Board level since August 2023. 

Welcoming Vikki Goddard

Vikki Goddard will take up the role from 3 March 2025, combining previous roles to lead our academic support infrastructure and enhance student experiences.

She will bring together leadership of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (RIKE), Student and Academic Services (SAS), and Faculty Operations. 

Vikki is a highly respected leader in Higher Education, with nearly three decades of experience in the sector having held roles as Registrar, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Strategic Planning, and Director of Faculty Operations. She has held senior leadership positions at the universities of Manchester, Salford and Liverpool, and has a long-standing commitment to the development of Professional Services staff and to diversity and inclusion. 

Commenting on the announcement, Vikki said: “I’m really pleased to be joining York and learning more about how we provide excellent support for both students and academics across our professional services. It draws on my experience in other universities and it’s great to be able to build on York’s amazing track record across research and teaching, as well as its commitment to its community. I am really looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Welcoming Nigel Alcock 

Since joining York in the summer, Nigel is providing strategic oversight for Finance, HR, IT, Estates and Campus Services, External Relations, Governance and Assurance, and coordination of central Professional Support operational activity. 

He has operated at senior/board level for the last 17 years in large, complex organisations - both from the UK and overseas - in financial governance, strategic and operational management. He has worked across the higher education, healthcare, energy, automotive and industrial sectors.

When joining York, Nigel said: “After a wide-ranging commercial career, I have found the higher education sector to be rewarding and enjoyable, as well as a refreshing change. It's great to be joining a fantastic university with an inspiring vision.”

Find out more about the University Executive Board

Explore more news

News

7 April 2026

Reducing population vulnerability is just as critical as cutting toxic air emissions for saving lives, according to the findings of a new study.

News

2 April 2026

In one of the largest releases of its kind, almost 16 million records have been made available online - chronicling the personal tragedies and everyday lives of Yorkshire people across nearly seven centuries.

News

1 April 2026

The University of York’s key community partner, York Cares, has been selected by Lord Mayor Elect, Cllr Margaret Wells, as her official charity for the year ahead.

News

31 March 2026

Scientists at the University of York have cracked a 40-year-old biological cold case by revealing how the parasite that causes Sleeping Sickness stays one step ahead of the human immune system.

News

26 March 2026

A University of York academic has been appointed to the panel of a public inquiry investigating the violent confrontation between police and striking miners at Orgreave coking plant in South Yorkshire in June 1984.

Read more news