Danny Walker (Advice Manager)
[Danny no longer works for the Students' Union, having moved to a new role at NUS. This is a 'legacy' biography. The Student Advice Team is currently managed by Lisa Hough, the Students' Union's Deputy CEO (Services)] I'm Danny and I'm the Advice Manager at the Students' Union. As well as advising students, it's my role to manage the team, and our service, to ensure that it's the best it can be. I've worked at the Students' Union since 2017 and, before joining Staffs, I was as a caseworker for a Member of Parliament and previously worked at KeeleSU. I also sit on the national committee for the Advisers and Caseworkers in Students' Unions (ACSU) network as the regional lead for the Midlands. On the odd occasion that I'm not in the office, you'll probably find me with my feet up watching sport as I'm a long-suffering fan of Walsall FC and follow the fortunes of the Harlequins rugby team too.
Diya Rattanpal (SU London Co-ordinator)
I'm Diya and I'm the Students' Union Co-ordinator based at Staffordshire University London. I joined the team in 2021 from De Montfort Students' Union and it's my role to provide advice and guidance to students in London alongside working with the Student Voice team on representation and the Student Engagement Team on events and activities. When I'm not working, you'll often find catch me playing PS5, binging elite tv shows (in my opinion at least), or geeking out about the MCU. And yes - Scarlet Witch is the most powerful Avenger.
Martin Edwards (Adviser)
Hi, I'm Martin and I have been an adviser for many years. My initial experience came from volunteering and later working for Citizens' Advice. It is through them I qualified in advice work. While working at Staffs Union I have updated my knowledge and skills through training from the Child Poverty Action Group, Citizen's Advice, NUS and the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education. I am strongly motivated to help people to the best of my ability and I get great satisfaction from seeing students' interests being well served. When I am not at work, you will find me tinkering with various musical instruments, and running an electronic music night at my local bar.
Ralph Hayward (Adviser)
I'm Ralph. But you can call me anything you like. Within reason.
My Bachelor’s Degree in Theology isn’t really relevant to my work in terms of subject matter, but I use the transferrable and analytical skills and mind-set it provided every day. I became an Adviser in 1995 (yes, I'm that old); at first volunteering for Citizens' Advice and qualifying through their full advice training. Having specialised in disability benefits there (not an area in which I remain skilled), I started advising students in November 1997. I maintain my advice skills and knowledge through numerous trainings and meetings; especially valuing those on student funding provided by NUS and the Child Poverty Action Group plus sessions by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education on University-related matters.
I find it rewarding to try and empower people to take control of their own lives and situations. I try to find ways of unpacking often-complex regulations or systems such that people can navigate through them and manage problematic situations for themselves.
Away from work, I retain an academic interest in Reformation/Cranmerian liturgy coupled with thought on the impact of beliefs (and how we speak of those beliefs) on our ways of thinking and our wellbeing. I still occasionally roll polyhedral dice; dabbling in Runequest Glorantha.
Lisa Hough (Deputy CEO (Services))
I'm Lisa and I'm the senior manager responsible for the advice service at the Students' Union.