Trudy became the first independent Chair, and the first woman, to lead UCAS’ Board. She brought her considerable expertise and experience from her time in Microsoft and other leading technology companies. She oversaw its important role during the pandemic against a background of growing challenges for the higher education sector, its development of platforms that are crucial to UCAS' future contribution to the success of the HE sector and its focus on enhancing the customer experience so as to engage and enable more individuals to discover their future. More recently, Trudy led the recruitment of UCAS’ new Chief Executive, Dr Jo Saxton. Trudy will continue to bring her intelligence and insight to supporting UCAS and Jo for the remainder of the year.
Reflecting on her time with UCAS, Norris-Grey said: "Serving as the Chair of UCAS has been an extraordinary honour. I am incredibly proud of the team's achievements, particularly how we have transformed our approach to providing personalised advice to students via the UCAS Hub. With Jo now at the helm, alongside a dedicated Board and senior leadership team, I am fully confident in UCAS' vibrant and promising future."
Professor Edward Peck, Deputy Chair of UCAS, said: "It has been a pleasure to work with Trudy over the last three years. She has brought a much-valued and unique perspective to the strategic discussions that have shaped UCAS' current and future approach and have benefited UCAS, students, higher education providers and stakeholders enormously.
"The entire Board and Executive extends its thanks and gratitude to Trudy for the passionate and energetic leadership she has shown. We will miss her.”
Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Executive of UCAS, also shared her appreciation: “Trudy has been an invaluable support since I joined UCAS as Chief Executive. Her commitment to digital innovation has been pivotal in transforming how students navigate education paths and I know she will continue to be a passionate advocate for education and the role UCAS has in helping transform people’s lives.”
As Norris-Grey prepares to step down, UCAS is set to commence the search for a successor who can build upon the solid foundation she has established and lead the charity into its next chapter of development.
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About UCAS
UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is an independent charity, and the UK's shared admissions service for higher education.
Our services support young people making post-18 choices, as well as mature learners, by providing information, advice, and guidance to inspire and facilitate educational progression to university, college, or an apprenticeship.
We support 1.5 million students every year to explore entering higher education, employment and apprenticeships and manage almost three million applications, from around 700,000 people each year, for full-time undergraduate courses at over 380 universities and colleges across the UK.
We also provide a wide range of research, consultancy and advisory services to schools, colleges, careers services, professional bodies, and employers, including apprenticeships.
We’re a successful and fast-growing organisation, which helps hundreds of thousands of people every year. We're committed to delivering a first-class service to all our customers — they're at the heart of everything we do.