Paula, a graduate of the London Business School and a trained barrister, started the role on 1 August 2025.
She joins the organisation from the financial technology firm OneID where she has been CEO since 2023.
Paula was CEO at the Student Loans Company from 2018 to 2022, and the Charity Commission, from 2014 to 2017.
She has extensive leadership experience, particularly in delivering major transformation and change programmes and services in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
She was awarded a CBE in 2022 for services to higher education.