Meet our Executive Team
Strategic oversight for the Universities North East is driven by the five Vice-Chancellors and our Executive group. We also have a dedicated comms group, widening participation steering group and business and innovation group
Dionne Lee
Head of Partnership for UNEE
Dionne is joined UNEE as its first Head of Partnership in January 2025. She is responsible for managing the partnership on behalf of the universities. Driving the strategic leadership of the partnership she works collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure that partnership’s commitment to the economic, social and cultural success of the region is understood by partners, deliver collective advocacy on the role of the five universities in place and provide, a point of contact for external organisations to interact with the North East’s Higher Education sector collectively and enable the partners to speak with one voice.
Prior to this she worked at Teesside University, where she was the University’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager for 16 years where she led the University’s public affairs, advocacy and political engagement activity. From 2023 to 2025 she was also Special Advisor to the UK2070 Commission Teesside Taskforce, working with Commissioners to develop a programme of activity and lead the delivery of Taskforce projects on a regional, national and international level.
She is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts.
Professor Jane Robinson
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Newcastle University
Jane sits on the University Executive Board and leads the Engagement & Place Strategy, focussing on building partnerships to enhance the societal benefit of the university. She is also executive lead for sustainability and social justice. Previously, Jane was Durham University’s Chief Operating Officer with strategic oversight of operations and external engagement.
Before taking up her position at Durham, Jane was Chief Executive of Gateshead Council, playing a central role in the culture-led regeneration of the borough. Jane has also held leadership positions in the cultural sector, including Director of External Relations at Arts Council England.
Jane is a Deputy Lieutenant for Tyne & Wear and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She chairs the North East Confederation for British Industry (CBI) and Insights North East and holds a range of non-executive positions, including the Centre for Cities, the Centre for Life in Newcastle, North East Museums, and Energy Central Campus in Northumberland.
Professor Janet Stewart
Executive Dean, Durham University
Janet Stewart is Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Durham University, where she is also the executive lead for University Library and Collections and shares responsibility for delivery of the University’s Civic and Regional Engagement strategy. She joined Durham in 2014 from the University of Aberdeen as Professor of German and Visual Culture and founding Director of the Centre for Visual Arts and Culture. From 2015 to 2018 she served as Head of School of Modern Languages and Cultures.
Dan Monnery
Pro Vice Chancellor, Northumbria University
Dan Monnery is Northumbria University’s Pro Vice Chancellor for External Affairs. His primary responsibilities are developing, and overseeing delivery of, the University Strategy and leading the University’s role in place. Dan leads teams responsible for: strategic planning and performance; place partnerships; alumni and philanthropic fundraising; transformation and change; governance and regulation; and legal. He is the sponsor of the University’s Transforming Professional Services programme and also responsible for critical incident management and business continuity.
Dan spent the early part of his career in a variety of roles at HM Treasury. As well as working as Private Secretary to the Chief Secretary (Treasury’s second Cabinet Minister), he helped to set up the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and to establish the London congestion charge. He also took forward the Treasury’s work on reforming management of the UK radio spectrum, the switchover to digital television and the establishment of the Office of Communications.
Dan spent part of his time at the Treasury out on secondment to the BBC, working on the review of its Royal Charter, and also to the Civil Aviation Authority where he worked on reforms to the regulation of airlines and passengers’ rights.
Dan was Deputy Regional Director (Economy and Strategy) at Government Office for the North East from 2008 to 2010. His role included taking forward the agendas of BIS (now BEIS), DWP and DCMS in the region, as well as GO-NE’s interests in regional governance and leading the office’s strategic business planning. Before joining Northumbria University in 2011, Dan was Head of Partnership for Newcastle and Gateshead Councils. He developed a programme of practical measures to strengthen the partnership between the two councils, especially on the economic agenda.
Professor Milan Radosavljevic
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Sunderland
Professor Milan Radosavljevic is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Commercial) at the University of Sunderland and is responsible for the commercial portfolio at the University. He is the executive lead for student recruitment, research, innovation and knowledge exchange, income generation, London and Hong Kong branch campuses, strategic development, and international activity (including Transnational Education), Sunderland Online (distance learning portfolio), regional development, and equality, diversity and inclusion.
Prior to joining the University, Professor Radosavljevic held numerous leadership positions at the University of the West of Scotland (Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement, Associate Vice-Principal Research, Assistant Dean Research and Enterprise), University of Reading (School Director of Teaching and Learning and School Director of Enterprise), University of Dundee (Demonstration Projects Coordinator) and in the private sector (Production Director – off-site construction).
Professor Radosavljevic is a research-active academic in the broader area of built environment, and his track record includes predominantly industry-led projects to a total value of over £30m. He has co-authored one of the construction sector’s most ground-breaking textbooks on construction management strategies, offering a clear theoretical framework to systematically improve the sector’s productivity. He has contributed his expertise at institutions globally and has developed and delivered numerous executive courses in the UK and abroad.
Professor Stephen Cummings
Pro Vice Chancellor, Teesside University
Professor Stephen Cummings is Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Teesside University. The portfolio covers academic and industry led research and innovation, commercial activity, workforce development and fostering sustainable partnerships with our stakeholders.
Prior to his present role he has held a number of senior roles at Teesside, including dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences and dean of the School of Science Engineering and Design.