Our people

Meet the senior management team leading the Student Experience and Education directorate at the University of Reading.

Alexandra Slater

Director of Student Experience and Education

Alex leads the Directorate and has overall responsibility for its staff and operations.  She is a member of the Senior Leadership Group and the Heads of Directorate Group contributing to the leadership and strategic direction of the University.

Prior to this role, Alex has worked in various sectors and has over 13 years’ experience of working with and in universities to develop and implement strategies to deliver an outstanding student experience.

Paddy Woodman

Director of Student Services

Paddy leads the five areas of Student Services:

• Student Wellbeing
• Teaching and Learning Administration and Operations
• Student Success and Engagement
• Careers and Employability
• Student Information Systems Team.

Prior to this role Paddy has held a variety of roles at the University of Reading including:

• Director of Student Support and Operations
• Director of Student Success and Engagement
• Director of Student Development and Access
• Teaching and Learning Dean for Arts and Humanities
• School Director of Teaching and Learning.

Anne-Marie Henderson

Director of Centre for Quality Support and Development

Anne-Marie Henderson leads the Centre of Quality, Support and Development. This includes 

• Academic Development and Enhancement
• Quality Assurance and Policy
• Student Outcomes
• Technology Enhanced Learning.

She is also responsible for leading the direction of the Access and Participation plan, which sets out how the university will improve equality of opportunity for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access, succeed in, and progress from higher education.

Martin Batt

Director of Campus Commerce

Martin heads up Campus Commerce. This includes:

• Accommodation Contract Management Office
• Catering
• Sport and Active Wellbeing
• Rowing
• Greenlands Hotel
• Conference Services
• Venue Reading.

He began his career at the University as a waiter in 2002 before training as a chef. However, he soon realised that the kitchen was not where his future lay, as his true passion was customer service. Martin completed his master’s degree in Hospitality Leadership in the Public Sector in 2022 and was appointed Director of Campus Commerce in 2024.