THE UNITE GROUP PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2024 79 Professor Sir Steve joined the Board in April 2020 and has chaired our Health & Safety Committee since July 2020. Relevant skills, experience and contribution A wealth of experience in the Higher Education sector, including as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Exeter from 2002 to August 2020. President of Universities UK (UUK) (2009–2011), Chair of UCAS (2012– 2019), served on the boards of UUK and the Russell Group, and was Chair of the UUK International Policy Network (2014–2020). Between 2007 and 2010, led for Higher Education on the Prime Minister’s National Council of Excellence in Education, providing advice to Government. Sir Steve was knighted in 2011 for services to Higher Education. His Higher Education sector experience helps the Board navigate a changing Higher Education sector, particularly through the development of strong university partnerships. External appointments • Trustee for Fulbright Programme • UK Government International Education Champion • UK Government Special Representative to Saudi Arabia for Education • Member of the Board of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore PROFESSOR SIR STEVE SMITH NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Chris became Company Secretary and Group Legal Director in 2013. Relevant skills, experience and contribution Prior to Unite Students, held General Counsel roles at GE, MTV Networks and other multinationals. He was previously an M&A/corporate and commercial lawyer at Clifford Chance and Baker McKenzie. Chris uses his general counsel and corporate/ commercial legal experience to ensure our corporate and risk governance is aligned with our business activity. External appointments • The West of England Friends Housing Society (Board Trustee) CHRIS SZPOJNAROWICZ COMPANY SECRETARY ANGELA JAIN NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Angela joined the Board in August 2023 and became our Designated Non-Executive Director for Workforce Engagement in January 2025. Relevant skills, experience and contribution Works in the commercial television industry and for the past 12 years has held senior executive roles at ITV where she is currently Director of Unscripted UK television. Strong insights into the broader business community, government and key stakeholders through positions on the boards of BusinessLDN and ITN. Her experience with younger audiences, particularly relating to wellbeing and safeguarding, contributes to the Board’s better understanding of the needs, wants and behaviours of our customers. External appointments • ITV (Director of Unscripted, UK) Committee key Nomination Committee member Audit & Risk Committee member Remuneration Committee member N A R H Health & Safety Committee member Sustainability Committee member Committee Chair S N A R H N H