Donna Whitehead, CEO at University of Brighton: Can Grit, Humour and a Chicken Shop Get You to the Top?
My Duvet Flip by Jack Parsons
Jack Parsons
4.2 • 8 Ratings
🗓️ 22 January 2026
⏱️ 38 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Episode Guest
Donna Whitehead is the Vice Chancellor and CEO of the University of Brighton. A proud working-class leader from Hartlepool, Donna brings a bold, purpose-driven vision to higher education.
Episode Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
1:22 From Council Estate to CEO
2:59 Donna’s First Job: Paper Round Hustle
4:23 Learning Discipline and Drive
6:01 “Shy Bairns Get Nowt”: Grit as a Mindset
7:08 Pride in Her Hartlepool Roots
8:42 Imposter Syndrome and Black Tie Moments
10:53 Getting Sacked and Bouncing Back
12:08 The Life Event That Changed Everything
13:33 Failing College, Then Trying Again
14:59 Studying Law and Seeing a Bigger World
16:33 From No Map to Leading a University
17:44 Why Education Became Her Purpose
19:06 What a University CEO Really Does
20:45 Brighton’s 10-Year Vision: Equity & Enterprise
22:31 A Day in the Life of Donna Whitehead
24:35 What Brighton Has Taught Her About Life
26:02 Never Compromise Your Values
27:07 Deputy CEO vs CEO: The Real Difference
28:31 What Donna Would Study Today
29:40 Why Choose University of Brighton?
30:55 Careers in Education: Donna’s Call to Action
32:07 Quickfire Round: Mascots, Boss Phrases & Icons
34:10 Donna’s Message to Students, CEOs & the World
35:47 Donna’s Duvet Flip – What Gets Her Up
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | My identity, me and my friends say, were just daft lasses from Hartlepool. |
| 0:04.6 | And even now, that is my identity. |
| 0:07.3 | It's come to your superpower, right? |
| 0:08.8 | It's become my superpower. |
| 0:10.2 | Hi, I'm Donna Whitehead, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at the University of Brighton. |
| 0:15.5 | We have about 2,800 staff and around 17,000 students. |
| 0:21.6 | And this is my do-very flip. |
| 0:23.6 | Was you ever embarrassed, shy away from living in the council estate? |
| 0:28.6 | It brings me enormous pride now. |
| 0:30.6 | It feels like that's where I learnt grit and determination and we engage in circles now with people. you just think this isn't real life to me |
| 0:40.5 | you know it has people haven't struggled to pay bills to eat to look after the families knowing that |
| 0:47.8 | you're responsible for such a fantastic university does that not make your heart pump? |
| 0:54.8 | It does make my heart pump, but in a good way. |
| 0:57.6 | There's a great thing, which is, Shy Burns getting all pies. |
| 1:00.8 | I just feel completely in my place and completely aligned with my purpose. |
| 1:06.8 | What's something that University of Broughton has taught you about life? |
| 1:16.6 | Just put yourself out there and commit to being uncomfortable and trying, even if you fail, it doesn't matter. When we're working, we've got to compromise, of course, but actually never, ever, ever compromise your values and your integrity. |
| 1:26.6 | What if you dovet flip, what gets you out of bed in the morning to flip the duvet? |
| 1:30.4 | My dole flip is... |
| 1:36.3 | Hi, I'm Donna Whitehead, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at the University of Brighton. |
| 1:42.9 | I'm really excited about sitting down with Jack. |
| 1:45.0 | Talking about the power of education and careers in higher education. |
... |
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