Professor Ryan is a past Chair of HECA. He is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading academic thinkers in the areas of health and social care provision. In 2009 he was appointed by the college as Director of Academic Affairs and in this role, he has been central to the college’s continuing development and expansion. He also holds several European academic posts including those as a visiting Lecturer with the University of Hull and as Visiting Professor with the Catholic University of Leuven, in Belgium.