Alex Leigh

Advisory Board Member

Alex Leigh is a data strategist specialising in higher education. He had held many roles in his career including software engineer, solutions designer, data architect, chief technical officer, enterprise architect and Big 4 consulting lead. His experience spans finance, manufacturing, charity/3rd sector, retail and education.

Alex has worked with over a hundred organisations including 54 universities. He designed and developed the HEDIIP data capability framework, led the team to create the HESA in-year collection model, designed the sector level governance for reporting and co-developed the UCISA Higher Education capability model. Alex also founded and chairs the UK Higher Education Data Governance network.

Alex has extensive experience in delivering impactful, aligned and measurable data outcomes. His skills span the entire information lifecycle, starting from needs analysis and business case then strategy and planning implemented on best practice frameworks and operating models.

Alex believes that ‘one size fits none’ so takes a blended approach between pragmatic best practice and individual university objectives. He brings his deep HE sector expertise in creating real, tangible value to universities through partnership with all levels of the institution. His understanding of how data is used – and misused! – both inside and outside and institution means he bring the tools, knowledge and techniques to quickly support and solve unique data challenges.

This approach is non-invasive, allowing the university to take ownership and gradually build their capability to manage the solutions independently, ensuring you have the option to rely on his expertise whenever needed.

In the past five years, Alex has worked with a whole range of universities of different size and shape, is a trusted advisor to a number of sector bodies and is widely recognised as both an expert and a mentor in the UK HE sector. His previous experience in consulting for large and medium size organisations allied with founding a startup gives him a breath of cultures, projects and skills uniquely aligned to understanding, supporting and empowering the higher education sector.