Senior leadership team

The Arts and Humanities Research Council’s senior leadership team is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organisation. It meets each week and is made up of the following members:

  • Professor Christopher Smith, Executive Chair
  • Stella Power, Chief Operating Officer (currently acting Chief Operating Officer at Research England)
  • Rebecca Brazier, acting Chief Operating Officer
  • Dr Dan O’Connor, Executive Director of Partnerships, Portfolio and Engagement
  • Dr Jaideep Gupte, Executive Director of Research, Strategy and Innovation
  • Catherine Kerfoot, Programme Director, IS-8 Creative Industries
  • Tom Goodsir, Associate Director for Planning and Governance
  • Jo Dunster, Associate Director of Programmes
  • Matthew McCallum, Associate Director of CoSTAR Programme
  • Kristine Zaidi, Associate Director of Programmes

See the AHRC senior staff declaration of interest register

Contact

For the Executive Chair’s office, email: ec@ahrc.ukri.org

For the Chief Operating Officer’s office, email: ahrccoo@ahrc.ukri.org

Last updated: 7 August 2026

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