Executive Board
Our Executive Board is responsible for overseeing the academic and administrative leadership of Goldsmiths.
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Each member has responsibility for managing different areas from strategic development to academic development.
Professor Joanna Newman MBE FRSA, Vice-Chancellor
Professor Joanna Newman MBE FRSA joined Goldsmiths as Vice-Chancellor in September 2026 from her previous role as Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of SOAS University of London.
In her role, Joanna uses her experience and passion for the transformative power of higher education to champion Goldsmiths’ mission and values, strengthen its distinctive identity in teaching, research, and social impact, and navigate the challenges facing the sector with confidence and resilience.
Prior to her role at SOAS, Joanna became the first female Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, an international organisation dedicated to building a better world through higher education, with more than 500 member universities in over 50 countries.
Her previous roles include serving as the Vice-President (International) at King’s College London, the Director of the UK Higher Education International Unit (now known as Universities UK International), and Head of Higher Education at the British Library.
Joanna serves on a number of boards, including AdvanceHE, CARA (the Council for displaced academics), Academic Board of University of London, QS Global Advisory Committee, Library and Archives Committee of The Goldsmiths' Company, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s Leadership Council. Her most recent publication is Berghahn, 2019, Nearly the New World: The British West Indies and the Flight from Nazism, 1933-1945. In 2014, Joanna was awarded an MBE in recognition of her work promoting British higher education internationally.
To get in touch with Joanna, contact executiveoffice (@gold.ac.uk).
David Oswell, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor
In his substantive role of Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, David is responsible for leading the development and overseeing the implementation of Goldsmiths’ Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy.
David joined Goldsmiths in 2001 and from 2013 to 2016 was Head of Department for Sociology. His current research interests concern the social life and history of children, childhood and children’s rights.
David leads the academic pillar Research addressing the great challenges in our institutional strategy, A better world through knowledge and action.
To get in touch with David, contact executiveoffice (@gold.ac.uk).
Annabel Kiernan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience
Professor Annabel Kiernan is responsible for strategic oversight of the College’s academic portfolio, education and the student experience, and academic staff progression and development.
A political scientist by discipline, Annabel’s academic career spans three decades, with leadership roles focused on transforming teaching and learning, advancing inclusion, and supporting student success across the sector.
Annabel leads the academic pillar A distinctive learning environment in our institutional strategy, A better world through knowledge and action.
To get in touch with Annabel, contact executiveoffice (@gold.ac.uk).
Adam Dinham, Executive Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Culture and Belonging
Professor Adam Dinham is the lead for Goldsmiths' incoming Faculty structure, overseeing the Faculty of Creative Arts and Media and Faculty of Society and Innovation. He is also the university's lead for Culture and Belonging and is Professor of Faith and Public Policy.
Adam’s research interests focus on a social justice framing of religion and belief as a protected characteristic in equality policy and practice, particularly across health and social care and schools. He is professionally qualified in Social Work and psychotherapy.
Imran Chughtai, Chief Finance and Infrastructure Officer
Imran joined Goldsmiths in September 2021 as Chief Finance Officer, becoming Chief Finance and Infrastructure Officer in 2024 with responsibility for IT, Estates, Risk Management, Resilience and Compliance, and Communications, Recruitment and Marketing.
He previously worked for Aamal Company Q.P.S.C, a publicly-listed company operating within Industrials, Life Sciences and Real Estate sectors where he was Group CFO.
Prior to Aamal, Imran was Group CFO at Zuellig Pharma, Asia's largest Pharma distributor, having also worked at Huawei Technologies and Whirlpool Corporation.
John Duffy, Interim Chief Operating Officer
John joined Goldsmiths in September 2026 as Interim Chief Operating Officer.
Prior to this John was Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary at the University of Kent, a position he has also held at the University of Hull and London Metropolitan University.
John has responsibility for the delivery of key Professional Services that support the University's operations, governance and long-term strategic objectives.
To get in touch with John, contact executiveoffice (@gold.ac.uk).