Dr. Chris O’Malley joined the University of Wales, Newport in 2007 as Pro Vice Chancellor (International & Regional Development). His responsibilities at the University have included the marketing and recruitment, delivery of learning in the community, FE partnerships, development of international partnerships and the RISE partnership, a regional adult learning network.

He has co-led the development of the Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute with Glamorgan University, a major initiative to deliver HE and spearhead regeneration of a former coal-mining region.

In 1986-9 he was a Member of the European Parliament, representing Dublin. In 1990-4 he led the development of British Telecom’s first European market strategy. He spent the next 11 years as Director of Strategic Planning & Development at Dublin City University. He has acted as a consultant on strategy to a range of clients, especially higher education institutions and local authorities.