From 2010 to 2017, Mary Curnock Cook was Chief Executive of UCAS and previously held executive and non-executive positions in the education, hospitality, food and biotech sectors.
She is Chair of Governors at Kensington and Chelsea College, a Council member at the Open University and an adviser to the University of Buckingham.
Ms Curnock Cook has an MSc from London Business School and is an honorary Fellow of Birkbeck College, University of London and has an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire.
Andrew Wathey has been Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University since 2008 and was previously Senior Vice-Principal at Royal Holloway, University of London 2006-8, and Vice-Principal from 2003.
He chairs the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment. He is a Board member of the Quality Assurance Agency, and a member of the Council of the All Party Parliamentary Universities Group. Professor Wathey chaired the Student Loans Company Stakeholder Forum from 2010 to 2017 and has also served as chair of Universities for the North East, and was Deputy Chair of the University Alliance 2009-12.
Speaking about the appointments, SLC Chairman Christian Brodie said:
“I am delighted to announce two strong non-executive appointments to the SLC board in Mary Curnock Cook and Andrew Wathey. They bring an enormous depth and breadth of relevant sector and senior management experience, which will further strengthen SLC’s ability to fulfil its role in the delivery of the Government’s Higher and Further education policy.”
Mary Curnock Cook commented:
“The Student Loan Company provides a vital service in supporting access to higher education and I’m looking forward to contributing to this important agenda.”
Professor Andrew Wathey said:
"The SLC plays a key role in the effective support of students at universities and colleges. I am delighted to be joining the Board of the Student Loans Company, and look forward to working with SLC colleagues on various aspects of its core purpose: the secure delivery of funding to students in higher and further education across the UK.”