Mr Dan Wood

• Qualifications:BA (Hons), Publishing PgCert, Strategic Management Fellow CIPD Fellow CMI Fellow IoL Society of Leadership Fellows, Windsor
• Position:Chief People Officer
• Department:HROD - Equality and Diversity HROD - HR Administration HROD - HR Advice Hub HROD - HR Advisors HROD - HR Advisory HROD - HR Business Partners HROD - HR Consultancy HROD - HR Information and Advice HROD - HR Online HROD - HR Services HROD - Leadership and Staff Development HROD - Learning and Development Centre HROD - Organisational Design and Development HROD - Payroll HROD - Resourcing HROD - Temporary Staff Unit (TSU) HROD - Training Delivery Human Resources and Organisational Development (HROD) Internal Communications People Services Transformation and Improvement Services VCO - Directorate Vice-Chancellor's Office (VCO)
• Telephone:+441173281685
• Email:Dan.Wood@uwe.ac.uk
• Social media:

About me

Dan Wood – Chief People Officer

As Chief People Officer and a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive at UWE Bristol, I lead two strategic professional services: People Services and Transformation and Improvement Services. Together, these functions are central to enabling a high-performing, inclusive, and future-ready university.

With over two decades of senior leadership experience across education, healthcare, emergency services, and the charitable sector—both in the UK and internationally—I bring a proven track record of leading transformation, cultural change, and performance improvement in complex, high-profile environments. My leadership is grounded in ethical practice, emotional intelligence, and a deep commitment to innovation, equity, and systemic improvement.

My Role at UWE Bristol

I am responsible for shaping and delivering the University’s People, EDI, and Health & Wellbeing strategies, ensuring our people and culture are at the heart of everything we do. I work collaboratively across the University Executive to support long-term academic and financial sustainability, and to foster a culture of inclusion, innovation, and excellence.

Our Services

People Services

We deliver high-quality, people-centred services that attract, support, and retain exceptional talent. Our work is underpinned by equitable, responsive, and efficient systems that ensure a seamless employee experience and support fulfilling, impactful careers.

Key areas include:

• Recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning
• Performance, probation, and talent management
• Reward, recognition, payroll, and pensions
• Staff wellbeing and employee relations
• Strategic HR systems and data management

Transformation and Improvement Services

We lead and enable strategic change across UWE Bristol, ensuring the University remains dynamic, agile, and aligned with its long-term ambitions. Our teams drive operational excellence and user-centred innovation through expertise in change management, organisational development, internal communications, and performance analytics.

Key areas include:

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Programme and project delivery
• Service design and process improvement
• Strategic planning and business intelligence
• Learning, development, and employee engagement

Professional Memberships and Qualifications

• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD)
• Fellow, Chartered Management Institute (FCMI)
• Fellow, Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)
• Fellow, Institute of Leadership and Management (FInstLM)
• Leadership Fellow, St. George’s House, Windsor Castle
• Member, Institute of Directors (MIoD)
• Postgraduate Certificate, Strategic Management – University of Bristol
• BA (Hons), Publishing – Oxford Brookes University

Area of expertise

Skills and Expertise

• People, Culture & Organisational Development – Building high-performance, values-led cultures
• Transformation & Change Leadership – Driving large-scale, complex change with measurable impact
• Strategic Leadership & Board Advisory – Trusted counsel to senior executives and boards
• Performance & Service Improvement – Embedding excellence, accountability, and continuous learning
• Stakeholder & Partnership Management – Leading multi-national, cross-functional teams across sectors
• Governance & Risk Management – Navigating complex regulatory, funding, and operational landscapes
• Inclusive Leadership – Championing equity, diversity, and wellbeing in every aspect of organisational life

Publications

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