Association of Commonwealth Universities, UK. Miranda Thomas has joined the Association of Commonwealth Universities as Director of the Chevening Secretariat, the UK government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders. Chevening Scholarships and Chevening Fellowships are selected by British embassies and high commissions throughout the world and the Chevening Secretariat administers the program on behalf of the FCO. Miranda joined the ACU from Universities UK International (shortlisted for Association of the Year in this year’s PIEoneer Awards) where she has led the External Affairs team for the last three years. Other HE-sector roles have included leading the Education and Skills Practice at PR consultancy Communications Management, and teams at Cass Business School, City University London, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Miranda studied drama at the University of Exeter and has a miniature dachshund named Bertie.