At Arden University, we believe that increasing access to higher education through digital technology is key to helping ambitious students and professionals thrive in the industries of today and tomorrow.
Embracing innovation, diversity, and continued growth, the Executive Team dedicate
themselves to Arden University’s mission of delivering outstanding academic opportunities to all our students as they face new and unprecedented changes in the workplace across all business sectors. Chaired by Chief Executive and
Vice-Chancellor Carl Lygo, our Executive Team is responsible for steering and guiding Arden University’s strategic direction.
Professor Carl Lygo
Chief Executive & Vice-Chancellor
Professor Carl Lygo is a barrister, a Diplock Scholar, a Blackstone scholar and a Professor of English Common Law.
He has been a member of faculty at the University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University, London Guildhall University, City University London and the University of East Anglia. For his ground-breaking work in establishing BPP Law School as a leading professional law school, he was included in the UK's 'Hot 100 Lawyers' list by The Lawyer magazine.
For 20 years, he was at BPP Professional Education Group. He progressed from being a tutor to becoming the founding Vice-Chancellor of BPP University and Group Chief Executive of BPP Holdings plc.
He inspired and led the growth of BPP's Business School, Law School, School of Health and School of Foundation & English Language Studies, and executive responsibility for universities in the Netherlands and the IUBH business school in Germany.
In 2015, Professor Lygo was voted as one of the 'Top 50 Most Influential People in UK Higher Education by Wonkhe. Professor Lygo has served as a Non-Executive Director on the UK Higher Education regulatory bodies, Office for Students (OfS) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
In 2018, he was appointed as Executive Chair of the Board of Governors at the University of Applied Sciences Europe (UE) in Germany and Chairman of Global University Systems' Public Affairs Committee. He is an Association of Colleges Global Medal winner and was honoured with the 'Outstanding Contribution by an Individual title at the Education Investor Awards 2018.
He was appointed Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at Arden University in 2019 and is committed to extending access to Higher Education and promoting access for all in society as Arden continues to go from strength to strength.
Fabrizio Guccione
Deputy CEO
The board has appointed Fabrizio Guccione as the new Deputy CEO of Arden University. Fabrizio is a familiar face as he is currently the Deputy CEO of GUS (Arden’s shareholder), attends our board meetings and chairs the fortnightly GUS liaison meeting. Fabrizio will commence a handover with Matt Gee from today, the 20th of March to the end of the first week in May. Fabrizio brings a wealth of senior executive experience, having spent 20 years at Colgate-Palmolive before working with Laureate International Universities. In addition, he served as CEO in Italy and COO in Australia & New Zealand.
Professor Dilshad Sheikh
Provost | Chief Academic Officer
Professor Dilshad Sheikh is provost and chief academic officer at Arden University. With more than 20 years’ experience teaching in the higher education sector, she is a multi-award winner and a CMI Chartered Companion. Professor Sheikh has regularly been asked to provide insights to the media, including being invited to speak on national platforms such as BBC Radio 4. As provost, she leads strategic initiatives across the university to ensure academic excellence, student success, and organisational growth.
Professor Sheikh has progressed into her current role during a distinguished career with the university, having been appointed as Arden University’s first dean in 2020. As Dean of the Faculty of Business she spearheaded the growth of the faculty, launching new programmes and collaborating with industry to ensure our graduates were equipped to thrive when they graduated and started working in industry.
Vitaly Klopot
Chief Innovation and Commercial Officer
Vitaly Klopot is Arden University’s Chief Commercial and Innovation Officer, overseeing the objectives and implementations of all commercial strategies including leading our International office. With over a decade’s experience in higher education, he specialises in online learning, digital transformation, and international marketing for education technology.
His role with Arden University makes him a leading voice on the implementation of innovation within a digital-first university. Arden’s differences from traditional institutions, and its online legacy (starting exclusively online before later integrating face-to-face teaching), means that technology, by default, is at the very heart of the institution.
Vitaly’s business acumen allows him to provide uniquely interesting perspectives on the macro-level trends driving Universities to become more business-like. As the industry grows increasingly competitive, with students’ expectations vis-a-vis online delivery also increasing, Vitaly has extensive insight into how higher education institutions can think more like businesses, and utilise technology as a driving force behind innovation.
He also sits on the board of Dignity Health Global Education, mentors start-ups in the Data, Analytics and Education space and hosts a podcast on the Business of Education.
Steve Clayton
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Students Quality & Standards)
Steve is a highly experienced university administration professional, with a deep understanding of the Higher Education sector developed over 25 years. He has spent his entire career in Higher Education roles, spanning the full breadth of university functions including Faculty, Strategy, Planning, Student Experience, Inclusion, Registry, Quality and Standards, Governance, Compliance, Information Technology, Estates, and numerous strategic projects. He is relentless in ensuring high quality standards and cares deeply about the integrity of Higher Education.
Steve is a member of the Association of Heads of University Administration and is their spokesperson on Quality and Standards.
Steve does not seek personal accolade or award, preferring to focus entirely on the continuous improvement of Arden University on behalf of its students, staff, and shareholders.
Debra Hinds
Pro Vice Chancellor International
Debra Hinds joined Arden University in May 2021 as Associate Pro Vice Chancellor Partnerships, part of the Centre for Global Development. She was appointed Pro Vice Chancellor International in January 2023, heading up the Centre for Academic Partnerships with the aim to further internationalise Arden University.
Prior to joining Arden, Debra spent 16 years as a leading academic, initially leading a law faculty delivering franchised and validated programmes before becoming key lead in law for BPP University’s seven partner centres in four different countries. After this she spent two years scoping and building new international and UK based academic partners for a public university including the due diligence, rationale, and approvals through to onboarding new partners.
Prior to working in partnerships having gained a first in her LLB, awarded the best company law student in her year, and a commendation in the Legal Practice Course, Debra worked in legal practice. She subsequently became a law lecturer and Academic Leader in law, with specialist subjects including the English Legal System, Company Law, and EU Law, and continues to teach EU law some 23 years later.
In addition to law, Debra studied and graduated with an MBA in 2015, which enabled her to move from a leading role in academia to one in international partnership business development.
Debra enjoys the can do, will do approach of Arden University’s teams and the Arden vision of making education accessible to students wherever they are.