Professor Naren Barfield is an internationally recognised academic and research leader with more than 20 years of senior executive leadership experience. He was an inaugural Council Member and Insight and Engagement Champion for Research England, and is a Trustee for LAMDA. As Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the Royal College of Art in London he sustained an unbroken QS World #1 ranking for 10 consecutive years, championing innovation through the integration of science, technology, arts and humanities, and establishing partnerships with universities in Japan, China, Singapore and the USA, including co-establishing one of the world's first international university-based research laboratories in artificial intelligence and design.

Over his career he has produced more than 100 publications, keynote speeches, and conference presentations to parliamentary groups, science councils and learned societies, additionally with more than 90 individual and collaborative exhibitions in the UK, Europe, USA, South Africa, Australia, China and Japan with creative work included in collections worldwide.

Professor Barfield has served nationally and internationally across research councils and funding bodies as peer reviewer, assessor, and strategic advisor, or chairing key sector funding and review panels. He provides confidential consultancy to global advisory firms, cultural organisations, research bodies and universities on research strategy and assessment, creative disciplines, digital infrastructure, quality enhancement, student recruitment, strategic planning, and professorial appointments.