Title Director Company Yorkshire Universities Bio Dr Peter O’Brien is the Executive Director of Yorkshire Universities, a regional higher education association in the UK. He is also a Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies, Newcastle University. Peter’s professional and academic expertise is in local and regional development. Previously, he was Deputy Local Growth Consultant at the Higher Education Funding Council for England, where he was a member of team that designed the innovative ‘Leading Places’ and ‘Local Growth Academy’ programs to help universities strengthen their relationships with government, business, public organisations and civic society.