Meet the team
Philip Dent, SCiP Alliance Director
Phil is Director of the SCiP Alliance. He works with the Board to set the long-term direction and priorities for the Alliance and leads on the Alliance’s key strategic relationships, including with national governments and departments.
He worked in industry before two decades in education starting in schools as a teacher and leader of whole-school programmes. He led a multi-agency, multi-phase regional further and higher education partnership and as Chief Executive of The Progression Trust he led research, development and training on the theory and practice of whole person approaches to progression for children, young people and adults in the UK and in Australia.
As a consultant, researcher and advocate, he was an adviser to the Office for Fair Access on national and research policy and strategy, co-founded the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers and later oversaw its spin out as an independent charity. He has served as a member of, and adviser to, various Boards and has a Masters in Research.
philip.dent@winchester.ac.uk
Rachel Lad, Head of Operations and Development
Rachel is the SCiP Alliance Head of Operations and Development. Working closely with the Management Group, she is the operational lead for the delivery of the Alliance’s strategic and business development plans, and its impact reporting. Rachel leads the development and delivery of the SCiP Alliance programme of projects, with the staff team. Rachel has a project management qualification through the Association of Project Managers.
She has over 15 years experience working in the higher education sector in widening access and outreach and has led a range of projects and events for targeted groups. Rachel was the Network Coordinator for the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) before NNECL became an independent charity. Rachel is a governor at a local primary school which has a number of Service children and families.
rachel.lad@winchester.ac.uk
Victoria Fisher, SCiP Alliance Engagement Manager
Vicki is the SCiP Alliance Engagement Manager, working to increase the scale and depth of engagement of schools and other partners with the online Thriving Lives Toolkit and the wider community, helping them to develop and continually enhance their support for Service children. She also works closely with the Hub Leads from the SCiP Alliance's network of regional hubs, bringing together partnerships which connect stakeholders. This role is kindly funded by the Veterans Foundation and Armed Forces Education Trust.
Vicki has over 11 years experience of teaching in a Creative Arts department within the Further Education sector. She was involved with the organisation of numerous events throughout the academic year to engage a diverse audience, whilst also supporting students to succeed and being involved with pastoral care. Vicki has also coordinated multiple successful fundraisers, raising money for children's cancer charities.
victoria.fisher@winchester.ac.uk
Emily is the SCiP Alliance Projects Manager, supporting the success of the Alliance’s core operation and the lifecycle of projects and financial management. Emily ensures the effective development and management of project opportunities, proposals, funding and finances, planning, delivery, evaluation and reporting.
Emily has over 15 years' experience working in the not-for profit and education sector, working on a variety of community and education projects to support social mobility and widening participation. She worked in the charity sector for 10 years, supporting disability rights, community and education participation and inclusion. She has a Master's degree in Inclusive Education and has worked in widening access and participation in Higher Education for the last 6 years. Emily has also successfully completed the Advance HE’s Aurora (Women in Leadership) programme. Emily worked closely with the SCiP Alliance in her previous role as SUN Project Leader, directly contributing to the Thriving Lives Toolkit consultation with school partners alongside delivering training sessions on the toolkit to schools in the network.
