Our Faculty leadership
Meet the people who lead the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the The University of Manchester.
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Professor Sarah Sharples, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at The University of Manchester
Sarah Sharples FREng joined The University of Manchester in September 2025 from the University of Nottingham, where she held senior leadership roles including Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and People, and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange in the Faculty of Engineering.
A Professor of Human Factors, Sarah has been seconded since 2021 as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for Transport. In this role, she advises on science and engineering issues including automated vehicles, future fuels and emerging technologies. Her research focuses on how people and technology work together in complex systems across transport, manufacturing and healthcare.
Elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2024, Sarah has also served on the EPSRC Council and in leadership roles across national equality, diversity and professional bodies.
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Catherine Grills, Director of Faculty Operations
As Director of Faculty Operations, Catherine is responsible for Professional Services across the Faculty. Reporting to the Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, Catherine works closely with the Dean providing sound business advice and leadership on key strategic decisions. As a senior member of the University’s Professional Services Leadership Team, Catherine balances the requirements of the Faculty alongside the need for consistency and collaboration across the wider University.
Catherine has been at the University since 2001 when she started in the Planning team at UMIST and has moved through various leadership roles within School, Faculty, and central directorates.
Heads of School
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Professor Sarah Cartmell, Vice Dean and Head of School of Engineering
Sarah joined The University of Manchester in 2010, and was appointed Professor of Bioengineering in 2014 in the then School of Materials. She was appointed Head of the Department of Materials in 2019. Sarah was the UK Biomedical Materials champion for The Royce Institute from 2017-21, where she established a 200 strong stakeholder working group of UK academics and industrialists.
Sarah has an extensive research portfolio focusing on innovation and translation of products to the clinic, and leads a team that works closely with many disciplines such as clinicians, regulatory advisors, computational modellers, biologists, scientists and engineers.
Read Sarah's research profile
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Professor Chris Hardacre, Head of School of Natural Sciences
Chris represents the School of Natural Sciences on the Faculty Leadership Team. He works with academic and professional services colleagues to ensure the School achieves its vision for teaching, learning and research.
Chris is a Professor of Chemical Engineering and joined the University in 2016 as Head of Chemical Engineering. His research interests are in catalysis and ionic liquids for sustainable chemical processing. Chris is also the conductor for the Faculty choir.
Read Chris's research profile
Vice Deans
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Professor Richard Curry
Richard is the Vice Dean for Research and Innovation. He is responsible for research activity in the Faculty, postgraduate research programmes, research infrastructure, business engagement and internationalisation.
Richard is Professor of Advanced Electronic Materials within the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and undertakes his research within the Photon Science Institute. He leads the EPSRC Programme Grant Nanoscale Advanced Materials Engineering.
Read Richard's research profile
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Professor Peter Green
Peter Green is the Vice Dean for Teaching, Learning and Student Experience within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He oversees the development of teaching, learning and the student experience for all taught programmes, both undergraduate and postgraduate. Peter played a leading role in the creation of the Teaching College in 2019 following the Faculty restructure, establishing a dedicated community to champion teaching excellence, innovation, and professional development.
Peter is a Professor of Wireless Communications and continues to teach in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
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Professor Lynne Bianchi
Lynne is the Vice Dean for Social Responsibility, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. She specialises in pre-14 science and engineering education and student-led learning.
In 2014, Lynne founded the Science and Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, where she serves as a Professor of Science & Engineering Education.
Lynne is a prominent national voice in STEM education policy and practice and the creator of the award-winning 'Great Science Share for Schools’ campaign.
Professional Services
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Alison Holt
Alison is Executive Assistant to the Dean. As well as providing support for the Dean, Alison supports the Faculty Leadership Team, particularly with the coordination of the weekly Faculty Leadership Team meetings.
Alison is also a member of Faculty’s Special Projects and Planning Team. Alison has worked at the University since 1988 and has a great insight into the operations of the Faculty and the wider University.
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Gemma Lyons
Gemma leads the Faculty Finance Team and is an Associate Chartered Management Accountant. She has worked in all three Faculties in various finance roles since joining the University in 2011.
Gemma studied and gained her degree at The University of Manchester and holds a BA(Hons) in International Business, Finance and Economics.
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Beth Daintree
Beth is the Head of Faculty People and Organisational Development.
Beth holds an MSc in Human Resource Management and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Beth is an experienced HR professional who has held both leadership and specialist HR roles.
