Biographies

Joe became Chief Executive in January 2024. He brings extensive knowledge and experience of the property and Higher Education sectors, with a focus on residential and operational businesses. He also brings financial, strategic and relationship management skills to the Board.

Joe joined Unite Students in 2002 and has helped to build the business over the last 20 years across a variety of roles. He was previously Unite Group’s Chief Financial Officer.

Mike joined Unite Group in 2019 and became Chief Financial Officer on 1 January 2024 after working as the group’s Investment Director.

Skills and experience

Mike has a wealth of financial experience, having started his career working in corporate finance across a range of sectors. Prior to joining Unite Group, Mike spent 10 years as a research analyst covering real estate companies in the UK and on the Continent, most recently at Exane BNP Paribas.

Amy joined Unite Students as Group People Director in March 2024. She brings a wealth of experience in leading people and talent teams in high growth companies, having previously worked at Google, OVO Energy and most recently as Chief People Officer at Vertical Aerospace.

Karan Khanna joined the business in March 2021 and became Chief Operating Officer in January 2024. He leads the heads of operations and oversees health and safety, estates, student experience, sales and marketing. He was previously the Managing Director for UK and Ireland at InterContinental Hotels Group, where he was responsible for more than 350 hotels and 3,000 team members.

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Katherine joined Unite Students in 2018 as Financial Controller and worked in various roles within our Finance team, including leading the financial integration of Liberty Living.

She became Group Finance Director in 2023 and has been a member of the Executive Team since 1 January 2024.

Before joining Unite Students, Katherine spent nine years at Deloitte working with FTSE listed business in both an audit and advisory capacity.

Rebecca joined Unite Students in 2024 and was appointed Group Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs in October 2025. 

She leads the company’s reputational strategy and oversees all internal and external communications, public affairs and corporate affairs activity, ensuring clear and consistent engagement with stakeholders. 

Before joining Unite Students, Rebecca served as Director of Communications at Pentland Group, the global brand management company. She has also held senior communications positions within BBC Global News and BBC World News. 

Simon oversees the Higher Education and University Partnership team, leading across engagement and relationship management, commercial strategy and in developing our joint venture partnerships. 

He joined Unite Students in 2007 and has held various senior leadership roles including Business Development Director, overseeing the 2018 acquisition of Liberty Living. 

Prior to joining Unite Students, Simon spent 17 years with the Portakabin Group in a range of operational, sales and strategy roles.