M25 SpeedMeet
Welcome to M25 SpeedMeet. Every month we meet someone working in an M25 member institution and ask them to tell us a little bit about themselves.
One of the three strategic themes of the M25 Strategic Plan is connecting and collaborating through our network. Our aim is to provide a regional network whose members offer multiple perspectives that can inform decision making, and facilitate opportunities for networking and joint working on shared issues. What better way to do this than to meet?
Record it or write it
We’re keen to meet even more members so if you’d like to feature in the M25 SpeedMeet, please contact m25libadmin@london.ac.uk. You can send in your replies to our questions or alternatively video your answers and we’ll show the video here.
May 2025: Dan Herbert
Who are you, where are you based and what do you do?
Hi everyone. I’m Dan Herbert, and I am the Library Buildings Development Manager at Queen Mary, University of London.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
The mix of people I get to work with on a day-to-day basis. I work closely with a wide range of people, from senior managers in the library and across the university, colleagues in estates, library colleagues, university security, suppliers, contractors, student union representatives, students and peers in other institutions. This definitely keeps things interesting, and there is always something new to learn.
What motivates you in your work?
Knowing that what I do can make a real difference to all our users. It’s really important to me that our libraries feel welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
How has/can the M25 Consortium support you in your career?
In so many ways: from the training and career development opportunities to networking, which allows for benchmarking and knowledge sharing with others. Not forgetting the visits to other libraries. They are always a great source of inspiration (and for shamelessly stealing good ideas).
What would it surprise people to know about you?
During the late 80s and 90s, I was involved in the alternative music scene in London. I sang in two “punk” bands, Juice and Swine, and was involved in lots of gigs. Juice released a couple of cassette eps, a 12 inch and were featured on a number of compilations in the UK and across Europe. Highlights? We supported Manic Street Preachers at their first London gig, toured with NOFX, and regularly played with The Blaggers.
Complete the sentence: If I wasn’t working in a library I would be
…an archaeologist, because of my love for Prehistory. I actually fell into library work after leaving school with no qualifications—something I now understand was largely due to my neurodiversity. Since then, I’ve built my career through on-the-job learning and vocational training, including opportunities provided by CPD25, progressing without the benefit of award-bearing academic qualifications. If I had the chance (or the time!), I’d love to retrain and turn that passion into a career.
Read more SpeedMeet interviews here:
2025
Polly Mortimer, Library Manager and Learning Support Lead, British Psychotherapy Foundation
Ian Clark, Academic Services Manager, University of East London
2024
Chris Foreman, Associate Director of Library Services at University of the Arts, London
Vicky Robertson, Deputy Librarian, UCL School of Pharmacy Library
Laura Scullion, Administrator (Events & Programmes), M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries
Dave Puplett, Associate Director, Libraries and Academic Enhancement, University of Greenwich
Fiona Ainsworth, Head of Library and Archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Dianne Shepherd, The British Museum, Senior Librarian
Jill Howard, M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries, Operations Manager
Cliff Van Dort, National Archives, Kew, Head of Library
Camilla Churchill, British Medical Association, Library and Archive Lead
Chloe Carson-Ashurst, The National Gallery, Library Assistant
2020-2023
Birgit Fraser, Anglia Ruskin University, Assistant Director – Academic and Content Services
Sarah Pipkin, UCL – Outreach and Exhibitions Coordinator, Special Collections Library
Anna Gillis, Royal Veterinary College – Research Support Librarian
Rachel Geeson, Anglia Ruskin University – Assistant Director, Customer Services
Jennifer Domingo, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine – Library Assistant
Emma Wisher, University of Essex – Assistant Director for User Engagement
Louise Ellis-Barrett, British Museum – Librarian Acquisitions and Projects
Paul Johnson, University of Surrey – Director of Library and Learning Services
Sara Burnett, Kingston University – Information Specialist
Robert Atkinson, Birkbeck, University of London – Director of Library Services
Laura MacCulloch, Royal Holloway, University of London – Curator
Rowan Williamson, UAL – Associate Director of Library Services and Support
Frances Willis, National Art Library at the V&A – Assistant Librarian
Robin Armstrong Viner, Courtauld Institute of Art – Head of Library Services
Adam Edwards, Middlesex University – Library Liaison Manager
Linda Coombs, Buckinghamshire New University – Library and Learning Resources Manager
Liz Pinel, Royal College of Nursing Library and Archive – Customer Services Manager
David Allen, Royal Society of Chemistry – Librarian
Russell Burke, LSHTM – Assistant Librarian
Verity Allison, St George’s, University of London – Journals and E-Resources Librarian