Philanthropy Advisory Board

Professor Hurlburt’s background is in physics, medicine and neuroscience. In 2004, Professor Hurlburt co-founded the Institute of Neuroscience and was co-director of the Institute until 2014. In 2012, she established the Centre for Translational Systems Neuroscience with a Capital Award from the Wellcome Trust. Her research has been continuously funded, including from the UKRI (EPSRC), ERC, the Wellcome Trust, NIHR, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and industry (Unilever; Huawei).

Professor Day is a consultant Hepatologist with an international reputation in medical research. He was awarded a CBE for services to Health Research and Treatment in the 2023 New Year Honours. Nationally, he is Chair of the Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and a member of the UK Investment Council. He is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear.

Fawaz (Fuzzy) has been employed with BP for over 35 years and has undertaken various leadership positions across the globe, including the UK, US, Azerbaijan, Colombia, Egypt, and Indonesia. Previously, he was the Head of the Upstream Executive Office, following eight years as BP’s Head of Global Operations, Upstream. In March 2020, he was appointed Senior Vice President for HSE & carbon.

Gillian Cannon, PhD. is originally from Tynemouth and moved to the US in 1990. With over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, she has held senior leadership positions at Merck Inc., UCB Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, and Roivant Sciences. Gillian earned a BSc. in Biochemistry from the University of Edinburgh, an MBA from St. Joseph’s University, and a PhD. in Health Administration from Temple University. She is currently a part-time lecturer at Drexel University, a certified therapeutic riding instructor and also serves on six corporate boards across the US, Canada, Sweden, and the UK.

Hilary began her career as a Lecturer in Law at Newcastle University. She later became a partner in a firm of solicitors in Newcastle for several years. Hilary has extensive experience as a non-executive director in the NHS and Housing Associations. She is also the current Chair of the Newcastle University Development Trust, an independent charity with approximately £50 million in assets whose sole beneficiary is Newcastle University.

Nick studied politics and economics at Newcastle University before gaining membership to the London Stock Exchange. Nick worked at Wise Speke, Merrill Lynch, Laing & Cruickshank and UBS before becoming Regional Director, Rathbones.

Nick currently holds several voluntary positions, including Chair of the Theatre Royal, CISI Future Foundation and Newcastle University Retirement Benefits Fund, as well as Deputy Chair of the Newcastle University Development Trust and Member of University Court.

Nick was commissioned, Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear in 2020 and awarded OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours 2024 for services to the community of Tyne and Wear.

Paul leads the University's Advancement Directorate. Working with more than 250,000 graduates and supporters, the team is the driving force behind fundraising, philanthropy management, and graduate and supporter engagement. Building on 20 years of leadership experience in the not-for-profit and higher education sectors, Paul specialises in working with major donors including individuals, families, grant-making foundations and companies. He is a keen musician and a trustee of the UK’s National Centre for Early Music.

Robert qualified in medicine in Newcastle and trained in neurology in Newcastle and London. Following an MRC fellowship, he was a visiting faculty member at Johns Hopkins University and held a tenured post at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Robert then joined the bio-pharmaceutical industry, working in Switzerland, the USA and Singapore.

After an early corporate career, Rob founded his own business, which rapidly became a global leader supplying services within the pharmaceutical sector. That company was sold in 2016, and since then, Rob has built an investment portfolio of eight companies, where he takes an active involvement in helping them grow. Rob also founded the Rob Wood Enterprising Futures Academy at Newcastle University to inspire young people to think about entrepreneurship and provide practical advice on how to increase the chances of success should they found their own business.

Dame Teresa Graham has worked in business for over 40 years, from professional practice to Non-Executive Director. Her experience covers public, private and third sectors, with particular areas of interest in deregulation/better regulation and helping businesses mature from start-up.  But her favourite title to date is "Head of Parties and Fun" at The Lexi Cinema, the UK's first social enterprise cinema. The proceeds from the cinema support The Sustainability Institute in South Africa, where Dame Teresa works with children and the earth. She founded and co-chairs the Newcastle University's Women Giving Circle, funding bursaries and providing mentors for young women from less privileged backgrounds studying STEM subjects.