Board of Directors

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Professor (Dr.) Helen Marshall
Chair – Board of Governance
Professor (Dr) Lynn Martin
Member – Board of Governance
Professor (Dr.) Cedric D Bell
Member – Board of Governance
Dr Atul Pandya
Secretory -Board of Governance
Manoj R Thakkar
Member – Board of Governance Director

Professor Helen Marshall led the University of Salford as Vice-Chancellor from April 2015 until 31 August 2023, having joined in November 2013 as Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Under Helen’s leadership the University has re-defined its role as an innovative, forward-looking, industry-focussed institution by creating a 21st Century version of the institution’s industrial heritage. Helen’s vision for a real-world approach to learning with a flexible, industry-informed and research-based curriculum has seen the university go from strength to strength. Salford is now positioned as the University of Choice for students wanting a hands-on, work-based high-quality learning experience, as well as for industry wanting to engage in applied research and to recruit work-ready, dynamic graduates.

As the fifth fastest growing university in the UK, the largest provider of NHS staff in the North of England and with an over £1billion joint master plan with Salford City Council and English Cities Fund, with innovation, collaboration and a clear civic mission at its heart, Salford continues to drive forward its strategy at pace under Helen’s leadership.

Helen is also actively engaged in the wider higher education sector through her role as a Board Member at the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), continuing to undertake institutional reviews with the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and working with organisations such as the British Council on international academic projects.

Prior to joining the University of Salford, Helen was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Business Development) at the University of South Wales. During her tenure a new curriculum in creative industries was developed, a Centre for Financial and Professional Services established and a successful review and renewal of the law curriculum. She also led on widening participation and was Director for the Guardian award winning Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI) – a groundbreaking initiative backed by the Welsh Government to provide opportunities for local people and businesses to improve skills and qualifications by making learning accessible across the Valleys region.

Lynn Martin PhD, Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, ESRC Fellow; Institute of Small Business & Entrepreneurship Lead Fellow; Academic Advisor, X-forces; Chair, Global Economic Oversight Committee.

Professor Martin has held significant leadership and management roles, including serving as the Associate Dean for the Business School at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she generated substantial external income and led impactful research initiatives. She has been instrumental in leading successful projects funded by prestigious organizations such as the International Olympic Committee, Amazon, and the European Commission. Notably, she was the Academic Director for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme, fostering the growth of numerous small businesses. In addition to her academic and research achievements, she has extensive experience in practical external engagement, strategy and management in both academic and private sectors, and small firm ownership. Her ongoing commitments include serving as a a member of the Board of Governance (BoG) of IIMT Studies and a non-executive director for multiple small firms and contributing to various academic and policy boards, emphasizing her dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation globally.

From 2011 to 2018, Professor Bell was the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) and Regional Vice-Chancellor (Africa) at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. He oversaw the university’s strategic development, quality assurance, and international expansion, particularly in Africa. His responsibilities included mentoring academic leaders, ensuring regulatory compliance, and expanding the university’s footprint across the continent. Additionally, he has served on various directorships, including chairing the board of ATHE and providing consultancy services to Global-ATS. Professor Bell has also contributed to the Cambridge International Group and joined the governing board of LD Training Ltd and the International Board of Trustees of Apasen, where he works on enhancing the charity’s international profile and training reach. Serving as a BoG member of IIMT Studies, Professor Bell contributes to the growth of the organisation.

Dr. Atul Pandya is a Post Graduate in Social Science from a premier institute of India and has done his doctorate in Leadership & Change Management. He possesses 35 years of corporate experience in The Leadership Role in some of the most renowned Indian Corporates and MNCS.

He has headed Human Resource, Corporate Communication, SCM , Sales and Marketing, Project and HSE Functions during hie corporate association and his major contribution is in Change management, Organization Building, Organizational Transformation, Building Managerial Competencies , Creating a Leadership Pipeline, Building a Skill Inventory to ensure Organizational Growth.

He has been with IIMT Studies since April 2016 and has been a member of Strategic Business Team, assisting The Board of Directors in Operations, Customer Support, Compliance, Strategic Business Plan and affiliation – Accreditation functions.

Manoj R. Thakkar, the Founding Director and Chairman of IIMT Studies since 2009, is a visionary leader with an extensive background in education and a strong commitment to transforming lives through knowledge. Holding a Post Graduate SMP from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and an SBS from Harvard Business School (eLearning), Mr. Thakkar has been at the forefront of IIMT Studies’ remarkable journey, steering the institution to global recognition. As the Director and the CEO of IIMT Studies Ltd in the United Kingdom since 2018, he has been instrumental in expanding the institution’s reach internationally. He has closely worked on recognitions such as ATHE, EduQual and Scottish Qualifications Authorities and has great understanding of compliance requirements. He also ensures to remain active in meeting with regulatory requirements provided by current awarding organisations.

Beyond his role at IIMT Studies, Mr. Thakkar served as the Chairman of the Institution Management Committee of the Government Industrial Training Institute, Vadagam, Gujarat, India, since 2017. His dedication to the engineering community is evident through his membership in CCESD, the Institution of Engineers, Gujarat State Centre, from 2016 to 2020.

Mr. Thakkar’s achievements extend beyond his professional roles, as he was honoured with the Hall of Fame Award by Times Ascent. His career profile highlights his commitment to education, from founding IIMT Studies at a young age to chairing a Government ITI, promoting education for all. Under his leadership, IIMT Studies has received numerous national and international awards, recognizing its excellence in education and people development. As a global visionary, Mr. Thakkar has expanded IIMT Studies’ operations into the UK and Africa, fostering strategic partnerships with organizations like the BRICS Forum and CII India. Representing the board of IIMT Studies UK, he plays a pivotal role in guiding the institution’s strategic direction, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and maintaining recognition as a leader in international education.

Professor (Dr.) Helen Marshall

Chair – Board of Governors

Professor Helen Marshall was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford from 2015 to 2023, having joined in 2013 as Deputy Vice-Chancellor. She transformed Salford into an innovative, industry-focused university, blending its industrial heritage with a real-world, research-informed curriculum. Under her leadership, Salford became the UK’s fifth fastest-growing university, the largest provider of NHS staff in the North of England, and embarked on a £1bn masterplan with Salford City Council and the English Cities Fund.

Helen has also played a national role in higher education through her work with HEFCW, the QAA, and the British Council. Prior to Salford, she was Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of South Wales, where she developed new programmes, refreshed curricula, and led the award-winning UHOVI initiative. A Law graduate with postgraduate research in Corporate Merger Law from the University of Birmingham, Helen has held senior posts at UCLan, Cumbria and QAA.

Serving as a Chair of the BoG member of IIMT Studies, Professor Helen contributes to the growth of the organisation and makes IIMT Studies a fully compliant organisation by assisting the organisation towards the right direction.

Professor (Dr.) Lynn Martin

Independent UK Non-Executive Director – Chair of Board of Directors

Lynn Martin, PhD, Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, ESRC Fellow; Institute of Small Business & Entrepreneurship Lead Fellow; Academic Advisor, Xforces; Chair, Global Economic Oversight Committee.

Lynn Martin is an esteemed academic with a prolific career in entrepreneurship, innovation, and business growth. Currently, a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Anglia Ruskin University since 2017, she has a history of contributing to research, practical applications, and knowledge exchange across interdisciplinary fields. Her research interests align with bridging entrepreneurship with Science & Engineering and Art & Design, often facilitated by research council awards such as EPSRC, AHRC, and ESRC. She has successfully applied her expertise to support digitisation and growth in various organisations, from start-ups to large enterprises. Professor Martin has a PhD from the University of Warwick. Her academic contributions include over 60 refereed journal articles, chapters, and reports, and she is a sought-after speaker at national and international events on small firms, innovation, and applied research. Professor Martin has held significant leadership and management roles, including serving as the Associate Dean for the Business School at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she generated substantial external income and led impactful research initiatives. She has been instrumental in leading successful projects funded by prestigious organisations such as the International Olympic Committee, Amazon, and the European Commission. Notably, she was the Academic Director for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme, fostering the growth of numerous small businesses. In addition to her academic and research achievements, she has extensive experience in practical external engagement, strategy and management in both academic and private sectors and small firm ownership. Her ongoing commitments include serving as a member of the Board of Governors (BoG) of IIMT Studies and a non- executive director for multiple small firms, and contributing to various academic and policy boards, emphasising her dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation globally. Professor Lynn reports to the Chair of the BoG.

Professor (Dr.) Cedric D. Bell

Independent UK Non-Executive Director – Board of Directors

Professor (Dr.) Cedric Bell has held several notable positions throughout his career. From 2007 to 2009, as Dean of Kaplan Open Learning, he was actively involved in developing fully online degree courses in partnership with the University of Essex, focusing on innovative features like no physical attendance, continuous student engagement, and up-to-date course content. He successfully built a business unit from scratch, secured institutional validation, and initiated several online degree programs. Later, from 2009 to 2011, he served as Executive Head of Portobello Law College in Dublin, addressing significant academic and managerial challenges, revalidating the college’s flagship law course, and leading a rebranding effort that merged the college with Dublin Business School. From 2011 to 2018, Professor Bell was the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) and Regional Vice- Chancellor (Africa) at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. He oversees the organisation’s strategic development, quality assurance, and international expansion, particularly in Africa. His responsibilities included mentoring academic leaders, ensuring regulatory compliance, and expanding the University footprint across the continent. Additionally, he has served on various directorships, including chairing the board of ATHE and providing consultancy services to GlobalATS. Professor Bell has also contributed to the Cambridge International Group and joined the governing board of LD Training Ltd and the International Board of Trustees of Apasen, where he works on enhancing the Charity’s international profile and training reach. Serving as a BoG member of IIMT Studies, Professor Bell contributes to the growth of the organisation in the right spirit, ensuring the organisation remains compliant with the conditions of recognition. Professor Cedric reports to the Chair of the BoG.

Dr. Sonal Jain

IIMTS AB Independent Non-Executive Director

Dr. Sonal Jain is a senior academic leader with extensive experience in higher education, specialising in curriculum transformation, academic governance, and institutional strategy. She currently serves as Associate Dean within the QA Higher Education and London Metropolitan University partnership, where she provides strategic academic leadership across Health and Social Care and Data Science programmes. Her work focuses on enhancing academic quality, driving teaching innovation, and ensuring alignment with regulatory frameworks including the Office for Students (OfS) and the QAA Quality Code. Dr Jain is recognised for her leadership in embedding artificial intelligence within higher education. She has led large-scale faculty initiatives to integrate generative AI into curriculum design and assessment practices, supporting over 50 academic staff in adopting AI-enhanced teaching approaches. Her work has significantly improved student engagement, assessment participation, and retention outcomes through the use of data-driven strategies and learning analytics. She has also introduced AI literacy into employability and research modules, ensuring that learners are equipped with critical skills relevant to modern industry demands. Her expertise extends to academic governance and regulatory compliance, where she works closely with institutional quality teams to ensure programmes meet rigorous academic and regulatory standards. She has played a key role in programme validation, quality assurance processes, and policy development, ensuring that innovation is balanced with academic integrity and compliance. Dr Jain is an active contributor to international academic collaboration and thought leadership in artificial intelligence and education. She has worked with leading institutions including Université Côte d’Azur, Université de Lille, University of Southampton, and Audencia Business School, contributing to the development of programmes and discussions on AI governance and responsible innovation. Her research explores the ethical, regulatory, and strategic implications of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and corporate governance, with multiple publications in leading academic outlets. She holds a PhD in Management from Audencia Business School and the University of Nantes, with research focused on organisational strategy and anti-corruption. She is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE (SFHEA), reflecting her commitment to excellence in teaching and academic leadership. © IIMT Studies Ltd (IIMTS AB) 22 Dr Jain brings a strong combination of academic rigour, regulatory expertise, and strategic insight, making her a valuable contributor to governance, quality assurance, and innovation within awarding organisations and higher education institutions.

Manoj R. Thakkar

Member – Board of Directors – Compliance and IT Responsible Office

Manoj has a prestigious career in the management of educational institutes. He has broad experience in qualification design, development, awarding and regulatory compliance. He holds graduate and postgraduate degrees in business management from Gujarat University, India, the Indian Institute of Management, and Harvard Business School (ODLP). Manoj has served in senior management roles in leading and world-recognised institutes. Since 2017, he has served as Director of Burly Institute of Global Education and Research Private Limited. At Burly, he founded a start-up – IIMT Studies at the age of 24 years, with the sole mission of enabling growth through market-driven education by innovating a governing model that is governed by an advisory board comprising senior technocrats of Corporate organisations and leading academicians across the globe. He is presently serving as Director and Investor, and Business Advisor to the International Institute of Management and Technical Studies (IIMT Studies). He also chairs the organisation in India. At IIMT © IIMT Studies Ltd (IIMTS AB) 17 Studies, he took the start-up to international levels, with accreditation from the British Accreditation Council. He has also been a trustee at Bharti Lokseva Charitable Trust since its founding year. A compelling speaker, Mr Thakkar engages audiences worldwide, sharing his insights on education, technology, and industry trends. His charismatic presence and commitment to excellence make him an influential figure in the global education landscape, motivating individuals to embrace the transformative power of education. Mr Thakkar, being a director at IIMT Studies Ltd, Mr Thakkar serves as a member of the BoG and represents the Organisation’s day-to-day affairs to the board.

Professional Skills:

Public Relations
Decision Making
Financial skills
Strategic thinking and business classification
Operational Management
Business Foundations of Learning Management System
Critical thinking ability
Risk analysis and management
Cross-function and cross-cultural
Product development
Communication, Leadership and Team building

Dharmendra R. Thakkar

IIMTS AB New Independent Non-Executive Director

Dharmendra has decades of experience in business development. He is driven by worthy ethical values that enhance the business’s value proposition while capturing more revenue- generating avenues. Dharmendra’s untiring efforts to transform the negative cash flow into positive revenue generation are well recognised. He had worked as an Entrepreneur at Shree Purnimaa Industries (SPI). True to his bearings fitted for senior roles in the management of educational establishments, Dharmendra has been serving as Director since 2017 at Burly Institute of Global Education and Research Private Limited. At the organisation, he has been responsible for managing sales, ensuring the national revenue forecasting is achieved, and engaging the team for social media marketing. His initiative of the Lead Management System led to a sales boost of up to 30% in 2020. Since Burly and IIMT operate globally, he has assisted the international business function in investing in marketing and ensuring that cost- effective deals turn in the favour of the business. His dedication led to earning revenues of $650,000 in 2020 and $10,00,000 in 2024, respectively. Mr Dharmendra was also a member of the © IIMT Studies Ltd (IIMTS AB) 18 Institution Management Committee of the Government Industrial Training Institute, Vadagam of Gujarat, India. For over 15 years, Mr Dharmendra has associated himself with Shri Bharti Lokseva Charitable Trust as a Trustee. Currently, Mr Thakkar is serving as a Director at IIMT Studies Ltd, contributing to the development of the organisation using his skills.