Ms. Beth Button is Director of External Affairs at the Association of Commonwealth Universities, where she provides leadership to a multifunctional team responsible for ACU’s membership, events, communications, public affairs, policy and research. Beth leads the ACU’s advocacy efforts to secure recognition and support for higher education with governments, funders, and stakeholders across the Commonwealth, and is responsible for the ACU’s diverse global network of more than 400 member universities in over 40 countries. Before joining the ACU, Beth worked at University Alliance where she was Head of Communications and Public Affairs. Other international higher education sector roles have included leading campaigns at Universities UK, policy and public affairs at Universities Wales, and an elected role at the European Students’ Union, where she led advocacy within the United Nations and UNESCO. Beth studied at Cardiff University, before being elected first as Deputy and then President of the National Union of Students (NUS) in Wales, where she was a panel member on the Welsh Government’s ‘Diamond Review’ into education funding and student support. She also holds a Masters in Education Policy and International Development from the University of Bristol. She is a Lay Member and Trustee of Cardiff University Council.