Helix4HE Advisory Board
Independent Expertise. Global Perspective. Practical Insight.
Helix4HE is supported by an independent international advisory board drawn from academia, senior institutional leadership, education management, and professional training. Their authority rests on decades of scholarship, sector knowledge, and direct responsibility for how universities, colleges, and education systems are led, shaped, and improved. Education and training are at the heart of what they do. Our advisors have set direction, advised senior teams, built programmes, supported learners, strengthened systems, and delivered change in complex higher education and professional learning environments. Their judgement is grounded not in theory observed from a distance, but in the lived reality of education itself. This independent expertise gives Helix4HE a genuinely global perspective, rooted in direct cultural and regional experience. Our advice is impartial, evidence-informed, and shaped only by what best serves each institution’s context, ambitions, and long-term development. The result is support that is realistic, locally grounded, practical, and lasting.
Veronica Omeni
SFHEA, PhD Computer Science and Educational Technology Researcher, MSc E-Business, PGDip TESOL, MCMI
Founder and Chair, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Trusted and accomplished senior executive leader in global engagement in higher education, education strategy and institutional performance
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Extensive UK and international experience, including in academic directorship and senior leadership across higher and professional education
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Formerly Director of Global Engagement at Coventry University and former Principal Consultant at QS Rankings, with expertise in rankings, institutional performance and graduate management education
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Expert in Computer Science, EdTech, AI in education, rankings, sustainability, research, employability, leadership education, lifelong learning, intercultural competence, linguistics and teacher training
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Regional expertise across the UK, Ireland, Central and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Western Europe and Africa
Marina Ibrahim
MA Creative & Digital Media Enterprise, Intercultural Intelligence Specialist, Founder of Globility Insights
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Award-winning intercultural intelligence expert
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Senior strategic advisor to multinational organisations and education institutions
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Founder of Globility Insights, advising senior leaders on cultural agility, inclusive leadership, global mobility and cross-border collaboration
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Extensive international experience across Europe, the Middle East and the UK
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Supporting organisations at critical moments of change
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Expert in intercultural leadership, international assignment preparation, post-merger integration, inclusive teams and organisational performance
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Bridges executive practice and learning through work with universities, business schools, corporate leaders and international partners
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Dr Simona Vrabcová
PhD Cultural Policy, British Council Certified Higher Education Counsellor, Strategy Cultural Diplomacy Specialist
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Senior higher education strategy, policy and cultural diplomacy expert with experience across the UK and Central and Eastern Europe
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Holds a PhD from the University of Warwick, focused on cultural policy, national cultural institutes and international cultural relations
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Over a decade of experience across higher education, internationalisation, student recruitment, study abroad and cross-border collaboration
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Has worked with over 70 UK universities, supporting international students, institutional partnerships and global education pathways
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Expert in country branding, cultural diplomacy, student recruitment, international student mobility, creative industries, arts management and European higher education
Dr George Akomas
Academic, Leadership Educator
and Executive Education Specialist
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Academic and leadership educator with experience in higher education, executive education, professional learning and organisational development
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Designs learning across undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, DBA, apprenticeship and executive education contexts
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Specialist in leadership, strategy, organisational behaviour, curriculum design, employability, AI in education and future skills
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Supports team development and reflective, adaptive leadership practice
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Developer of teaching materials, workshops, textbooks and leadership resources across business, management, and emerging technologies
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Expertise in academic practice, executive education, coaching, African leadership perspectives and human-centred learning
Dr Jean-Bernard Adrey
International Higher Education, Internationalisation and COIL Specialist
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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International higher education specialist with experience in global engagement, internationalisation and intercultural learning across Europe, the UK and the US
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Former Director of Coventry University’s Centre for Global Engagement, leading award-winning internationalisation initiatives
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Former Associate Dean International and Director of International Education at the University of California Riverside Extension
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Founding Director of TJ Global Services, advising universities and organisations across the UK, US, Europe and the Middle East
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Specialist in strategic internationalisation, Internationalisation at Home, COIL, B2B recruitment and intercultural competence
Dr Geralyn McClure Franklin
Senior Higher Education, Business School,
Accreditation and Entrepreneurship Leader
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Senior higher education leader with almost 40 years’ experience across US and international universities
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Former business dean or interim dean at five US institutions, and former Dean at United Arab Emirates University
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Expertise in business school leadership, academic planning, internationalisation, entrepreneurship and institutional transformation
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Extensive experience supporting AACSB initial accreditation and continuous improvement reviews
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Published scholar with 80+ journal articles and 50 conference proceedings
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Former AACSB International Board member, mentor and peer review team member
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Global consulting experience across the Middle East, Europe, the UK and the United States
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Advises institutions on strategy, benchmarking, leadership development, programme development, enrolment and partnerships
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Recipient of the Max S. Wortman, Jr. Award for Lifetime Achievement in Entrepreneurship
Blessed Pepple
EdTech Strategist, AI and Higher Education Transformation Specialist, Former Senior Leader at QS and ApplyBoard
Technical Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Senior global EdTech leader with extensive experience advising universities on digital transformation, AI and institutional innovation
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Former senior leader at QS and ApplyBoard, supporting large-scale education technology solutions across international higher education markets
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Specialist in AI-driven higher education transformation, student experience, recruitment, admissions and technology-enabled institutional performance
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International experience across the UK, MENA, APAC and Africa, working with senior academic and institutional leaders
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Recognised for translating emerging technologies into practical strategies that improve access, efficiency, scalability and institutional impact.
Helen Duffy
Cambridge DELTA, CELTA, Classical Studies
Senior English Language and Digital Learning Specialist
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Senior English language, academic development and digital learning specialist with extensive international education experience
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Over 15 years of international experience supporting learners, educators and institutions across diverse global and academic contexts
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Former Director of Studies, with senior leadership experience in curriculum development, teacher training, quality assurance and programme delivery
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Expert in English for Academic Purposes, IELTS preparation, intercultural communication, blended learning and learner-centred education
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Specialist in digital and AI-enhanced learning, supporting personalised learning, feedback, student engagement and improved learner outcomes
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Paraskevi Komninou
MSc Creative Writing & Education, BA English Language & Literature, BA Political Science, EUROLTA
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Senior education specialist with over 35 years of experience across national education systems and international academic environments
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Extensive experience in English language education, assessment, adult learning, Business English and curriculum delivery across all CEFR levels
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Former Coventry University global engagement professional, supporting international programmes, intercultural communication and cross-border student initiatives
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Experienced project coordinator for international summer schools, industry visits, academic programmes and professional learning activities
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Multilingual advisor with expertise in English, Spanish, German and Greek, supporting inclusive education and international collaboration
Dorota Sokołowska
Global Support, IT Service Management
and Education Specialist
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Global support and services manager with experience leading international IT support operations in complex, fast-paced environments
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Specialist in ITIL-based service management, including incident, problem and service delivery processes
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Former English teacher and Head of Studies, with experience in curriculum development, teacher training and educational quality
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Experienced in international cooperation, partner relationship management, overseas programmes and EU-funded internship initiatives
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Background in learning materials development, bilingual content creation and knowledge-sharing across education and professional settings
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Expertise in service leadership, people development, learning cultures and customer-focused operations
Obinna Okereke
International Student Recruitment and Employability Specialist | Co-Founder, Pembrix Education
Technical Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Senior international higher education strategist specialising in student mobility, employability and institutional partnerships across Africa and the UK
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Product Owner at UniGlobal Careers and Partnerships Manager at SetlWork, supporting employability-focused international education delivery
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Former Coventry University project leader, delivering initiatives impacting over 30,000 students across complex multi-campus environments
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Former Governor at Coventry University and Deputy Panel Chair for the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023
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Expert in international recruitment, graduate outcomes, employability strategy, education partnerships, policy engagement and student success pathways
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Ashesh Upreti
International Education Consultant, Government Advisor,
Sports Management and Strategic Partnerships Specialist
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Former International Advisor to the Ministry of Sports in Nepal, contributing to national sports strategy, youth talent development and international partnerships
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Collaborated with elite European football clubs, including AC Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid, through high-level sports management initiatives
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Global business, education and sports professional based in Kathmandu, Nepal, with over two decades of cross-sector experience
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International education consultant supporting students to access higher education opportunities worldwide, particularly in Europe and New Zealand
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Specialist in strategic partnerships, international programmes, digital engagement and connecting global opportunities with local talent
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Provides transparent, student-centred guidance across the application process, from initial advice to progression
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Brings senior international insight across education, sports and professional development to support Helix4HE’s mission of access, innovation and collaboration worldwide
Vladimir Yordanov
Doctoral Researcher in Global Leadership and Higher Education Internationalisation, International Education Specialist, Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Expert
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Experienced international higher education leader and advisor with more than 15 years’ experience in international education, global engagement, partnership development and institutional growth
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Deputy Executive Director of the Human Resource Development Centre, the Bulgarian National Agency responsible for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps
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Extensive UK and European experience, including senior leadership roles across higher education institutions and international education organisations
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Former senior international education leader at Coventry University, Gisma University of Applied Sciences, Keele University and the International Business School in Sofia
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Expert in internationalisation strategy, transnational education, international student recruitment, market expansion, university partnerships, mobility and cross-border collaboration
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Regional and partnership development expertise across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and emerging international education markets
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Alexander Hoque
Higher Education Internationalisation and Transnational Education Specialist
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Higher education internationalisation and TNE specialist with experience developing global academic partnerships across Europe, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and North Africa
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Experienced in helping universities expand global engagement, diversify programme provision and build sustainable international education strategies
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Has led multi-million-pound international partnership portfolios, combining partnership development with commercial and strategic insight
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Specialist in partnership management, commercial negotiation, international mobility, stakeholder engagement and viable partnership models
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Strong background in graduate employability, employer partnerships, overseas placements and international student mobility
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Experienced in developing employer networks and employability initiatives that connect internationalisation with student progression and career readiness
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Contributes expertise in COIL, summer schools, mobility programmes, intercultural learning and international engagement
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Supports institutions in building partnerships and employability strategies that deliver sustainable academic, strategic and commercial value
Adam Priestley
Senior Education Governance, Quality Assurance, Compliance and Operations Leader
Strategic Advisor, Helix4HE Advisory Board
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Senior education and business leader with over two decades of experience in regulated education provision, provider operations and organisational management
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Expertise in education governance, quality assurance, external review readiness, accreditation processes and compliance frameworks
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Experienced in risk management, financial oversight, statutory compliance, staffing, performance management and organisational sustainability
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Strong understanding of learner experience, safeguarding, welfare, curriculum delivery and inclusive education environments
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Experienced in international education administration, sponsor management and liaison with public and government bodies
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Brings practical insight into how education providers maintain standards, manage regulatory expectations and strengthen operational resilience
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Supports Helix4HE’s advisory thinking on quality systems, compliance readiness, provider governance, institutional operations and sustainable education delivery
Expressions of Interest from Senior Education Advisors
Helix4HE’s Advisory Board is developed through invitation and careful selection. We welcome occasional expressions of interest from senior professionals whose expertise aligns with our mission. Appointments are made selectively to ensure quality, independence and strategic fit. To express interest, please contact contact@helix4he.com.