Hello to the College Registrars

This month we meet the three College Registrars to find out more about them and how they are settling into their new roles.

Carolyn Donoghue has recently joined the University as College Registrar in the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences. Her previous role was at the University of Bristol in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

Where are you working in the University?

I am the College Registrar in The College of Biomedical and Life Sciences. My office base is in Cardigan House at the Heath and I also have a hot desk in the Main Building at Cathays.

What does your role involve?

Working closely with the College PVC and senior team to manage the College and plan for the future, mainly dealing with resources i.e. finances, buildings  and people.

What were you doing before you joined Cardiff?

I was Faculty Manager in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Bristol. I was in that role for 8 and a half years. Prior to that I was an NHS Manager and had management roles in the Eye Hospital, Dental Hospital and General Surgery.  I originally trained as a nurse and worked in Cardiac Surgery, general medicine and surgery as well as community nursing.

What's been the best part of your job so far?

The people – everyone has been very welcoming. It is very interesting, no two days are ever the same and I can tell I will never be bored!

What are you most looking forward to in this role?

Learning more about the College and the University and being a part of the exciting developments planned.

If you weren't in your current role, what would you be doing?

I would be travelling, and maybe learning some of the skills I never quite got round to like playing the piano and more singing.

Where is your favourite place on campus or in the city?

The Wales Millennium Centre is my favourite place in the city so far but I have a lot more exploring to do.

What's your favourite TV show?

Long Lost Family- I like a good cry on a Monday night!

Where are we most likely to find you outside of work?

In the theatre or cinema or if I am feeling very virtuous maybe in a Zumba class!!

Martin Haynes is College Registrar in the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering. Martin has worked at the University for 11 years in a variety of roles including the Schools of Dentistry and Psychology.

Where are you working in the University?

I've recently been appointed into the new role of Registrar for the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering.

What does your role involve?

I'm responsible for ensuring the delivery of effective support for the College's activities, working with colleagues both within the Schools and the professional services departments, to enable this. I work closely with the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the College and with the College Board to contribute to the development and delivery of the College's strategy, and I have oversight of all of the College's finances.

What were you doing before you joined Cardiff?

I've been working in the University for over 11 years now so it's difficult to remember my previous life! My last job before arriving at the University was with a division of Lloyds Banking Group, working in their accounting department and then as part of a project management team.

My previous roles within the University have seen me work in the Schools of Dentistry and Psychology, as well as the Planning Department, the Research, Innovation & Enterprise Services Department, the International Office, PR and Registry.

What's been the best part of your job so far?

I've spent the last 5 years of my time in the University working with the clinical disciplines at the Heath, so the most interesting part of the role so far has been meeting people across the 7 schools in the College and learning about the educational and research activities taking place.  The breadth of the industrial, commercial and public sector links across the College is phenomenal, and provides a real opportunity.

What are you most looking forward to in this role?

Adding value.  I see my role as very much supporting the Schools in achieving their academic objectives and therefore contributing effectively to the overall University strategy.  I would like to think that in this position I will be better placed to help enable this.  I'm therefore keen to meet as many people as I can within the College to understand their ambitions and requirements, and hopefully work with them to identify practical ways of supporting them.

If you weren't in your current role, what would you be doing?

In terms of what I'd LIKE to be doing, then sports journalism has always been a secret ambition of mine.  Spending each winter following the England cricket team around the Caribbean, South Africa or Australia has a nice feel to it…

Where is your favourite place on campus or in the city?

On a sunny day lunch at the Ty Mawr pub near Thornhill, sat outside overlooking the city, is a nice way to spend some time. 

What's your favourite TV show?

Currently, watching coverage of the Ashes features high on the list! Generally, anything that makes me laugh gets top priority.

Where are we most likely to find you outside of work?

An easy question to answer – at home looking after my 3-year old daughter and 1-year old son!  They don't leave me much time to be going anywhere else!

Anna Verhamme is College Registrar in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences . Previously, Anna was College Manager for the University of Exeter Business School. 

Where are you working in the University?

I'm working in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences as College Registrar

What does your role involve?

I see my role as making sure the professional services staff, both within the schools and centrally, are working in harmony as well helping the schools work together. Now that there are four budget holders in the University (three Colleges and one central Professional Services, a large part of my job will be ensuring the College is able to invest its resources in support of the Way Forward. I will also be supporting colleagues through the changes this will bring to the way in which we have worked at Cardiff.

What were you doing before you joined Cardiff?

I was College Manager at the University of Exeter's Business School. I worked at Exeter for 15 years.

What's been the best part of your job so far?

Most definitely the people. I'm lucky to have a great group of colleagues. It's also been great to join such an ambitious organisation.

What are you most looking forward to in this role?

I'm most looking forward to the opportunity to help deliver the College's and University's Way Forward plans and meeting the high expectations that everybody has by ensuring that the College structure has real benefits.

If you weren't in your current role, what would you be doing?

I think I would be doing something very different. I've recently started making my own wine and love gardening so perhaps working in a vineyard or a small holding. That would certainly be my ideal retirement plan!

Where is your favourite place on campus or in the city?

I think I'd have to say the train station. I commute from Chepstow everyday and it was something I wasn't looking forward to but I'm actually finding the journey and the walk from the station really beneficial. It gives me time to prepare for the day and time to relax on the way home and that head space is really important to me.

What's your favourite TV show?

Masterchef – the professional not celebrity version because it inspires my husband to do some wonderful cooking. But that also has its downsides because I don't get to enjoy eating out any more because my husband has become such a good cook.

Where are we most likely to find you outside of work?

In the garden or walking in the woods with my family trying to spot deer. I'm usually so distracted that my kids spot them but they're gone before I catch a glimpse.