Steve Smith

A regular on the political scene, this former politics academic has cemented his heavyweight status over a successful tenure as Vice Chancellor at the University of Exeter. The current Chair of UCAS, there are few other national sector jobs that he hasn’t held. His interest in politics is not just academic; he cultivates many connections across Whitehall and Westminster, a network he has often called on during some of the highest-stakes negotiations with government that the sector has faced over the past few years. Close to David Eastwood, he is another ‘senior’ vice chancellor whose clout ensures that others look to him for guidance and leadership in the sector, whilst keeping one foot very firmly in the world of policy and politics.