Meet the team

Steve Corbett
Director of Development and Alumni Relations
steve.corbett@leicester.ac.uk

Steve’s role is to set the strategy and oversee the work of the exceptional team who make up the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO). DARO is responsible for building lasting relationships with alumni all over the world. It also helps to inspire those who wish to give to the University. Working closely with the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Steve leads the University’s ambitious philanthropic and alumni engagement agendas, ensuring that DARO work closely with both academic and Professional Services colleagues, to support and develop transformational opportunities across the University – and beyond.

Louise Coles
PA to Steve Corbett, Director of Development and Alumni Relations
l.coles@leicester.ac.uk

As the Personal Assistant to the Director of the Development and Alumni Relations Office, Louise manages schedules, coordinates meetings, and handles key communications. She is also DARO’s Finance Officer, overseeing fundraising financial reports and working closely with the Development Services Team to ensure compliance with regulations to support the University's fundraising efforts.

Jonathan Angell
Head of Development Services
+44 (0)116 223 1322
jon.angell@leicester.ac.uk

Jon leads the Development Services Team, with oversight of: governance (including due diligence, data protection and FOI, charity regulations, the Fundraising Regulator and associated Fundraising Code of Practice); prospect research; due diligence; and the University’s Alumni and Supporter database - including provision of data to University colleagues, alumni and supporter record maintenance; and gift administration.

Rachel Selfridge
Head of Engagement
+44 (0)7867 153750
rachel.selfridge@leicester.ac.uk

A member of DARO’s Senior Management Team, Rachel’s role is to develop and execute the strategy for the University's Alumni and Supporter Engagement Programmes - including overseeing all events, communications, volunteering, regular giving, and stewardship activity. She leads the Engagement Team to deliver exceptional supporter experiences, leading to the sustained and meaningful engagement of our alumni, donors, and friends.

Sarah McGee
Head of Philanthropy and Principal Gifts Officer
+44 (0)7884 809554
sarah.mcgee@leicester.ac.uk

A senior member of the Development and Alumni Relations Office, Sarah is responsible for developing and managing an ambitious programme for Leicester’s major and principal gift fundraising. By working closely with senior leadership, she builds and manages strategic relationships with a range of international partners, to secure and maximise philanthropic investment in support of university priorities. Sarah also leads the team of Major Gift fundraisers.

Stephen Jones
Senior Fundraising Intelligence Manager
+44 (0)116 252 3466
steve.jones@leicester.ac.uk

A senior member of the team, Stephen is the strategic lead on the Prospect Research and Due Diligence functions of the Development and Alumni Relations Office. He also produces regular reports for members of the leadership team, working closely with Finance to ensure all philanthropic income is reported accurately and in accordance with their accounting regulations throughout the year. 

Steph Collins
Development Executive (Prospect Research and Due Diligence)
steph.collins@leicester.ac.uk

Steph’s primary role is to support the Prospect Research and Due Diligence functions of the Development and Alumni Relations Office. She also assists the wider team with support at events.

Nalina Pattni
Database and Gift Administration Executive
nm49@leicester.ac.uk

Nelly supports the Database and Gift Administration Team in maintaining records on the Alumni and Supporter database, fulfilling data requirements within the team, while also supporting the wider team at events.

Lisa Capell
Regular Giving Officer
+44 (0)790 632 8377
lisa.capell@leicester.ac.uk

Lisa manages the University’s multi-channel regular giving programme, encompassing telephone campaigns, direct marketing, and digital fundraising. She works closely with the Engagement Team to ensure exceptional donor stewardship, and raise awareness of philanthropy's impact. Additionally, she develops funding applications for University projects, sharing responsibility with the wider fundraising team for transforming lives through philanthropy.

Rosemary Faint
Development Manager
+44 (0)116 252 5324
rosemary.faint@leicester.ac.uk

A dedicated member of the Major Gifts team, Rosemary specialises in managing and nurturing relationships with individuals, corporations, and trusts/foundations that have the capacity to make philanthropic contributions aligned with university priorities. Through strategic collaboration with colleagues, she creates and facilitates meaningful engagement opportunities to enhance the donor experience, ensuring successful supporter acquisition and retention. Rosemary is also the strategic lead for the American Friends of the University of Leicester - our US 501(c)(3) charity.

Jit Pandya
Development Manager
+44 (0)116 229 7108
jit.pandya@leicester.ac.uk

Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy, Jit specialises in building relationships with individuals, charitable trusts and foundations, and corporate donors interested in supporting the University’s strategic priorities through its Major Gifts programme. Jit collaborates with colleagues across the University to create opportunities to involve donors and alumni in transformational projects, from student support to world-changing research.

Jack Castledine
Stewardship Officer
jack.w.castledine@leicester.ac.uk

Jack’s role involves ensuring that all of the University’s supporters are thanked, recognised, and updated appropriately and consistently. This includes individual stewardship activity, and supporter engagements for donors at all levels via the Citizen newsletter, annual Impact Report, and Supporter’s Reception event. He is also the office contact for managing the administration of philanthropically-funded scholarships, handling all engagement with our scholars once their awards are made.

Kelly McCormack
Alumni Engagement Manager
km423@leicester.ac.uk

In collaboration with the Director of DARO and the Head of Engagement, Kelly works with and advises the wider University on alumni engagement activities for our 200,000 global alumni stakeholders. She is responsible for the management and planning of a range of high-quality engagement events and communications campaigns across the UK and internationally, including the University's Alumni Chapters programme, alumni-led Reunions, Festival of Change virtual event series, Annual Alumni Dinner and Awards event and Alumni Volunteering Programme - all with the aim of strengthening the University’s relationship with its Alumni.

Sophie Calverley
Alumni Engagement Officer
sc919@leicester.ac.uk

Sophie looks after the communications channels for our alumni, to keep them in touch with the University and each other. She also runs a range of online and in-person events to keep our Alumni community engaged and connected throughout the year.

Victoria Kirk
Alumni Engagement Officer (Volunteering)
vk130@leicester.ac.uk

Victoria manages the Alumni Volunteering Programme, offering a range of different opportunities for alumni to volunteer their time and share their expertise in order to support current students at the University and local charities. She manages the Global Alumni Mentoring Scheme, which provides mentoring support from alumni to current students in areas such as career aspirations, interview skills and building self-confidence. Victoria also supports wider DARO and University events and reunions, and manages the alumni information stand during Summer and Winter Graduations.