The Drapers' Company supports an annual lecture on learning and teaching, hosted by Queen Mary University of London.
We are delighted to be joined by Mary Curnock Cook CBE, former Chief Executive of UCAS and a leading figure in UK higher education for this year's annual Drapers' Lecture. The lecture will take place on Wednesday 31 May 2023 at 5pm in the Peston Lecture Theatre, Graduate Centre on the Mile End campus.
Mary Curnock Cook is an independent education expert serving in a non-executive capacity on a number of Boards.
From 2010-2017, Mary was Chief Executive of UCAS. Earlier in her career she held executive and non-executive positions in the education, hospitality, food and biotech sectors.
Mary is chair of Pearson Education, its UK arm, and also chairs the governing body of the Dyson Institute. She is a non-exec Director at the Student Loans Company, the London Interdisciplinary School, the Student Room and Education Cubed, and a Trustee at the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI). She has the role of Network Chair for Emerge Education, the leading edtech investor in Europe.
In 2021, Mary took on the Chair of the UPP Foundation Student Futures Commission, set up to ensure successful student futures following the pandemic. She is a regular speaker and commentator on HE policy and practice and a recognised champion of the student interest.
Mary has an MSc from London Business School and was awarded an OBE in 2000, and a CBE in 2020 for services to further and higher education. She is an honorary Fellow of Birkbeck and Goldsmiths and has an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire.
We have been honoured to welcome many distinguished speakers for the annual Drapers' Lecture.