Professor Adrian Simpson is responsible for the overall direction, leadership, and development of the College. Adrian divides his time between being Principal of St. Mary’s College and being Professor of Mathematics Education in the School of Education He chairs several committees within the College, represents the College at Colleges’ Division and is a member of the University Senate. Adrian is married to Paola, has two cats with distressingly dissimilar personalities, bakes a mean sourdough loaf and appeared fleetingly in the first episode of the 1980s TV series Lovejoy. adrian.simpson@durham.ac.uk
As Vice Principal Andrew assists the Principal in meeting the goals of the College and University strategy and has overall responsibility for student enrichment, admissions and recruitment to the College. Before coming to Mary’s in 2020 he was the Department Manager / Senior Administrator in the Chemistry Department for almost 15 years. Having been in Durham for a number of years, he particularly enjoys using his knowledge of Durham, its departments, schools and processes to provide support and guidance to students at Mary’s. Andrew has an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and a Masters in Marketing, both from Durham, and is the Association of University Administrators’ Regional Coordinator for the Yorkshire & North East network . He’s a big fan of Liverpool FC and loves making his own pizzas! andrew.unwin@durham.ac.uk
Emma Gray is one of our Assistant Principals. She qualified and practised for many years as a private client lawyer, before spending time working with young offenders in a Young Offender Institute and then becoming part of the Mary’s community with her therapy dog, Twig (who is also very much part of Mary’s!) in 2021. Emma’s role is predominantly student welfare and support and she also runs the Mary’s internship programme and administers scholarships and bursaries. In her spare time, Emma loves the outdoors and keeps rescue donkeys. Emma can be contacted via email: emma.gray@durham.ac.uk
Dave was appointed to a lectureship in Computer Science in Durham in 1983. Other posts have included being a Deputy Executive Dean looking after Natural Sciences for fifteen years, Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society, working in the University Counselling Service and doing student support at University College, Josephine Butler College and St. Aidan’s College. He also worked part-time in the NHS for twenty-two years. He was appointed to his part-time post in St. Mary’s in March 2014. Dave is a keen runner and is always encouraging Mary’s students to do parkrun! dave.robson@durham.ac.uk
Rex is the JCR President for 2022/23. He graduated last summer with a MEng in Renewable Energy Engineering, so this is his 5th year in Durham. Whether it’s sports clubs, drama, large-scale events, college formals, welfare or music, it all falls under the blanket of the JCR, and it’s Rex’s job to oversee all these aspects of student life to make sure that you have the best experience at Mary’s possible! Rex has been involved in all sorts since coming to Mary’s including been a keen member of the Mary’s theatre company ‘Foot of the Hill’ and setting up the Mary’s Games Society. He loves that Mary’s will always have the most wonderful and weirdest opportunities that make up all your best memories at college! st-marys.jcr@durham.ac.uk
Angela is the College Administration Coordinator and works closely with the Principal, Vice Principal and Assistant Principal’s, as well as all other staff at St Mary’s. She has quite a varied background originating in Administration working for her families Haulage Business whilst studying part time, to Airline Cabin Crew (visiting a vast number of destinations, with varied passengers!) to training Weight and Balance to aircraft dispatchers! Now settled back in her home town of Durham, she has been at St Mary’s for just under a year, and loves the friendly atmosphere of the college, and the spectacular grounds! She can be contacted by email angela.gurteen@durham.ac.uk
Louise assists the college with day-to-day financial matters. If you have any questions about a college bill or how to make a payment then Louise is the person to contact. She has worked at Mary's since January, but has worked for the University since 2006 and there aren't many colleges she hasn't worked in! stmarys.finance@durham.ac.uk
Helen, our College Operations Manager, has been at Mary’s for a very looooong time and holds many service years (too many years to mention) and a lot of knowledge. She has particularly enjoyed the development of student events that have vastly grown and outgrown the college due to their success, very challenging at times but also rewarding to see the enjoyment they bring to all. It has been good to see Mary’s develop and being part of those changes.
Steve has had a varied career path from joining Thames Valley Police at age 19, to driving buses and coaches and working as a prisoner transport officer, before joining University College, Oxford, where he held the post of Deputy Head Porter for eight years. Steve moved to the North East in 2021 with his Durham-born wife, their two rescue dogs, Bertie and Milo, and their rescue turtle Shelley. Aside from being a dad, he loves baseball, scale modelling and military history.
A very familiar face around Mary’s, Mustafa is our Food and Beverages Service Head and you will find him around the dining hall making sure students are looked after (and following the rules!). Mustafa started working at the college in 2010 after a career in the commercial hotel sector. He loves being around students and getting to know them. Outside work he loves to watch and play golf, and go jogging – if his knees allow.
JP joined St Mary's in 2023, adding a vast experience in catering to college life.
Mary’s College Reception staff are the friendly and welcoming face of St Mary’s and will help with any day-to-day queries, post, parcels, and key issues! They love getting to know all of the students and helping them out. reception.stmarys@durham.ac.uk
Samantha Brown and Diana Charlton share the role of Receptionist at St Mary's.
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