Sarah Downing
I am the Executive Officer for the University of Exeter Medical School, working for Director of College Operations Rachel Burn, providing executive support to her and to our Pro-Vice Chancellor in all aspects of their work with regard to the day-to-day running of UEMS. I also lead the Executive Support Team.
I really enjoy the fact that the role is so varied, and that I have a chance to be involved in so many different activities and projects. No two days are ever the same, as the role is very diverse and sometimes quite random! There are certain elements to my role which I share in common with the other Executive Officers, and then we each have specific activities we’re involved in which are unique to our particular Colleges.
My role includes: providing the secretariat to the two most senior College committees, the College Executive Group and the College Strategic Development Board; other internal governance activities; risk management; business planning; the drafting of papers and reports; and involvement in a range of other ad-hoc projects. I am also co-lead for GDPR.
I was PS co-chair of the College’s Equality and Diversity Group for a couple of years, and am still heavily involved in our E&D activities, including being a co-author of the Athena SWAN Silver application.
Prior to working at the University, I was Knowledge and Information Manager at the South West Regional Development Agency, where I was responsible for knowledge management strategy and activity; records management strategy and policy; and intranet and web content management.