11 December 2025
Ed Pritchard recently returned from the Times Higher Education Arab Summit in Amman, Jordan, and below he shares his reflections from an energising few days with Hugh Martin, MENA Managing Partner, of workshops, talks, Q&As and a wonderful award ceremony (where he met his new best friend).
What struck me most were the differences and the similarities that sit side by side in this global sector. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there was remarkably little conversation about political climate or government support. These were simply not dominant features in the discussions. Yet at the same time, I found myself feeling genuinely proud of how often UK institutions were mentioned, not because this was a Times Higher event, these were real partnerships, built on substance and across the UK sector.
I was especially intrigued by how the value of a degree was framed. There seemed to be a more transactional view of the relationship between university and student, with the degree itself as the central product. By contrast, I have always admired how UK universities articulate something broader. They speak to the value of the whole university experience and the development that happens beyond the qualification. It is something we often overlook in the UK, yet it remains one of the sector’s greatest strengths.
A moment that will stay with me happened during a Vice-Chancellors and Presidents round table. Hugh and I wandered in, unaware that it was intended for institutional leaders only, and instead of being moved along, we were warmly welcomed. The Chair, Professor Ghassan Aouad of Abu Dhabi University, looked across the table and said he would value the views of the industry partners in the room. That landed, because that is what we are, partners to the sector. The generosity we were shown was something I will not forget. It did make me wonder whether we would have been welcomed in quite the same way elsewhere.
The culture around that table was a pleasure to witness. A group of leaders who carry immense responsibility, yet who treat one another with deep gratitude and unfailing politeness. There was a collective spirit and a noticeable absence of ego, which is often rare in groups of this seniority. Yet, beneath that collegial warmth sat a familiar question, one that has fascinated me throughout my career. How do Chief Executive level individuals cope with what I refer to as the loneliness of command. Whether in the Arab world or anywhere else, it is very real, and it was present around that table in a way that felt very human.
To my new best friend. I have presented awards at Times Higher Education events for well over a decade. From the former Thelmas, to the main UK awards in November, I have been fortunate to support some of the most significant celebrations in our sector, including the outstanding achievement award. Yet presenting the Most Innovative Teacher Award to Murad of Abu Dhabi University was something quite special.
We met briefly on the night, had a few photos taken, then spent real time together the following day while he talked me through his academic journey. This was a man absolutely beaming with pride. He told me he had not slept the night before. His phone had been alive with messages from his family and colleagues across the sector and the stream of congratulations carried on well into the next day. Murad grew up in a small village in the West Bank, studied across the Middle East, and completed his PhD at the University of Huddersfield. A global HE traveller. Now he brings innovative, impactful teaching to his students at Abu Dhabi University. I cannot wait to cheer him on as his career continues to flourish and I look forward to visiting him soon.
Once the summit drew to a close, Hugh and I travelled from Amman to Dubai, and into our new Anderson Quigley MENA HQ. Over two very productive days we hosted a series of meetings with universities and schools from across the region. We established this business in 2017 and I am deeply proud of how it continues to grow and of the trust placed in us by partners across the world.
Finally, my thanks to the entire team at the Times Higher. Anderson Quigley is delighted to continue our partnership and grateful for the effort that went into delivering this summit. They worked their socks off in trying circumstances and were still smiling throughout. A brilliant summit and as ever, a reminder of why this work matters.
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With over 20 years’ experience of delivering leadership and public appointments for the education and wider public sector, Ed brings a deep knowledge of the education system and an international network of cross-sector executive, non-executive and political connections.
Having previously developed and led one of the country’s foremost education executive search practices, he has a national reputation for exceptional client delivery. His career has been built on one simple mantra: clients and candidates first. His track record ranges from entire top-team restructures and single leadership roles to high profile public and Crown appointments. His career spans the education, government, health and charity sectors – across the UK and beyond. You can connect with Ed on LinkedIn or email him at ed.pritchard@andersonquigley.com.
