Olivia McLaughlin

Olivia is an experienced higher-education leader with a strong track record of delivering operational excellence, transformational change and service innovation across universities. She has held senior roles at Middlesex University, the University of East London, the University of Plymouth, Northeastern University London and Kaplan, consistently driving growth, building high-performing teams and shaping ambitious, sustainable strategy.

At Middlesex she led the development of ‘MDX Global’, driving major partnership, recruitment and civic engagement strategy.

At Plymouth, Olivia directed the planning and analytics function, leading on risk, governance, portfolio development and capital programmes.

Roles with UEL and Northeastern saw her steer complex change projects, international expansion and student-driven solutions.

A dedicated conservationist, alongside her professional career Olivia serves on the boards of two ocean conservation charities and is deeply committed to sustainability and the connection between education and conservation awareness.

The COO & US role will see Olivia contributing to strategy as a member of the Senior Leadership team. She is also the key lead for Governance, Estates, IT, Registry and Marketing at the University.