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Tim Melville-Ross CBE, FCIS, FCIB has been instrumental in the recent successes of the University having joined the University Council in 1994 and taken on the role of Chair in 2001. He also served as a Pro-Chancellor from 2001 to 2007. In January 2008 he was appointed the new Chair of the Higher Education Funding Council for England. He is also Chair of the Board of Directors of Manganese Bronze plc, Royal London Mutual Insurance Ltd, DTZ Holdings plc and Bovis Homes Group plc. He was previously Chief Executive of the Nationwide Building Society (1987 to 1994), Director-General of the Institute of Directors (1994 to 1999) and Chair of Investors in People UK (1999 to 2006). He was awarded the CBE in 2005 for services to workplace learning and development.

Dee Evans has been Chief Executive of Colchester's Mercury Theatre since 1998. Since then she has helped transform it into one of country’s most respected theatres. Launched in 1998 she has developed the Mercury Theatre Company whose actors are committed to working extensively in the community and to performing the classic repertoire and new writing. She has also been responsible for driving the Theatre’s extensive educational and outreach initiatives and has developed strong links with other theatres in the region. As well as leading the Theatre's strategic development, she also retains a hands-on role by directing at least one play each year. In addition to her work at the Mercury, she has made a significant contribution to Colchester, chairing the local strategic partnership Colchester 2020 for two years and championing major building projects such as the firstsite:newsite arts facility and the new Colchester Stadium.

Philip Crummy MA, FSA, MIFA has been Director of the Colchester Archaeological Trust since 1971. During that time he has overseen numerous archaeological digs including the recent discovery of the first Roman chariot racing track in Britain. He has published widely on the archaeological history of Colchester in various academic and popular publications with his most well-known work being City of Victory: The Story of Colchester – Britain's first Roman Town (1997 and reprinted in 2002). He has also edited the annual publication The Colchester Archaeologist for the last 20 years. He spoke to an audience of over 480 people last month about his experiences conducting archaeological digs in the town at the University's annual Burrows Lecture.