Our Team

Michele Gregson

Michele Gregson is General Secretary and CEO of the National Society for Education in Art and Design – the trade union, professional body and learned society for art, craft and design professionals.

Michele has worked throughout her career with children, young people and educators in arts education and cultural settings. She firmly believes in the power of the collective – working together to make change through the arts.

After working for many years in London and Kent as an art teacher, Head of Department and school leader, she joined Kent County Council’s Advisory Service for Schools, supporting schools in challenging circumstances, then as Adviser for Art & Design, for all Kent schools. She spent ten years working as an independent arts consultant, before taking office at NSEAD in January 2019

Trustee

David Vaughan

David chaired HEAD Trust 1996-2005 and 2021-2023. Was Principal/CEO of Cumbria Institute of the Arts 1991-2007, retiring on creation of University of Cumbria. Previously held teaching/senior leadership roles at Universities in Lancaster, Liverpool, Brighton and Sheffield.

David was Associate Registrar at the CNAA 1988 then a QAA reviewer. Vice Chair CHEAD 1996-2000; Director/Vice-Chair of UCAS 2000-2009; Vice-Chair of GuildHE 2003-2007; first Chair of Higher Education Academy – Art Design Media Subject Centre to 2007. Established the Group for Learning in Art and Design (GLADHE) in 1989, Chair until 2007. Non-Executive Director of Istituto Marangoni London until 2022 and Advisor to Futureworks Manchester 2021-2025.

Co Chair
Trustee

Gemma Moran

Gemma Moran BA, MA, PGDE is a Senior Lecturer in Fashion Business and Promotion at the University of Salford. She is Subject Group Head for the Fashion Suite and Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion, providing academic leadership across the programme. Her role involves overseeing curriculum development, supporting teaching quality, and ensuring students gain the skills needed for careers in fashion marketing, branding, retail, and promotion.

She also serves as an International Link Tutor, supporting partnerships with overseas institutions. With extensive leadership experience and a strong background in education, she contributes significantly to the development of fashion business education.

Helen Sargeant

Treasurer

Helen Sargeant is currently Associate Director, Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise in the Research and Enterprise Directorate at The University of Wolverhampton. Helen has a wide range of experience and expertise across all areas of Knowledge Exchange including public and community engagement, working with the third sector and CPD, and in income generation, project management and dissemination.

She previously held an academic role in the Faculty of Arts Business and Social Sciences where she was involved in the delivery of British Art Show 9, enterprise development for Creative Industries students and led a number of arts and health based projects.

Co Chair

Maggie Ayliffe

Maggie Ayliffe is the Programme Leader for Fine Art at Liverpool John Moores University. She is a painter, educator, and project manager with over 30 years' experience of working across Higher Education and Arts and Culture projects. In her previous role as Head of Wolverhampton School of Art, she was the University lead for British Art Show 9 and worked closely with Wolverhampton Art Gallery to host and co-ordinate the show in the city. Ayliffe is currently co-chair of HEAD Trust and has contributed extensively to critical thinking around Art and Design education, inclusivity and widening participation and Fine Art pedagogy. She has also exhibited her work nationally and internationally. 

Maureen Wayman

Trustee

Former Dean of The School of Art and Pro Vice Chancellor at MMU Maureen continues to work in support of HE both here and overseas. In recognition of service to HE at both local and national levels she was made OBE in 2010, was awarded Honorary Fellowships by Ravensbourne University and NUA and held Visiting Professorships at the Universities of Leeds and Chester.

Former Chair of Academic Council at NUA she went on to become Pro-Chancellor. A long standing Trustee, she is also Visiting Professor at University of Chester and External Adviser to Ruthin Craft Centre.