Nicola Arnold joins Jisc as chief finance officer

21 January 2020

Joining the organisation on 13 January, Nicola Arnold steps into the shoes of Mark Wright, who retired from the post in the summer of 2019.

Previously the finance director at St George’s University of London, Nicola’s focus will be ensuring that Jisc remains financially sustainable.

Nicola has worked in higher education for more than 10 years, first as deputy director of finance at University College London, before joining St George’s in 2016. She qualified as an accountant while working with the “big four” firm Ernst and Young and then spent 12 years working at the BBC.

Nicola said:

“My focus will be on making sure there is investment in the areas that allow Jisc to bring new technologies and innovation to the sector. I will also make sure the organisation provides good value for money for members and funders, spending the sector’s money wisely, so that Jisc’s reputation as an efficient and lean organisation is maintained.

“It’s not possible to work as a finance officer in higher education without being aware of Jisc’s key functions like the Janet Network, Jisc Collections and eduroam, but now that I am here, I am beginning to learn that Jisc does even more than I realised. 

“These services would be more expensive and less tailored to the sector if procured from elsewhere - that’s why there are many people who would like to replicate Jisc in other countries.”

Jisc’s, deputy chief executive and chief operating officer, Alice Colban said:

“We are delighted to have someone with Nicola’s experience in higher education as our chief finance officer, and I’m sure she will bring new ideas and insights to this role.

“Jisc aims to be regarded as the best-run sector agency and recruiting talent - such as Nicola- into our professional services is vital to achieving this goal.

“Our strategy is underpinned by strong financial foundations and, under Nicola’s guidance, we will continue to deliver high quality services, while ensuring that membership delivers great value and subscriptions are kept as low as possible.”