2026 University of St Andrews Chancellor election

2026 election of ceremonial head of British university From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2026 University of St Andrews election for the position of Chancellor became necessary upon the death of the incumbent chancellor, Walter Menzies Campbell, Baron Campbell of Pittenweem.[1][2] On 24 February, Dame Anne Pringle was announced as the winner of the election.[3][4]

Quick facts Candidate, Final stage ...
2026 University of St Andrews Chancellor election
← 2006
16–22 February 2026 (2026-02-16 – 2026-02-22)
2036 →
 
Candidate Anne Pringle The Lord Sedwill
Final stage 2,643 (54.4%) 2,215 (45.6%)
Second stage 1,812 (35.6%) 1,807 (35.5%)
First stage 1,601 (30.7%) 1,619 (31.2%)
 
Candidate Barbara Woodward Alexandra Walmsley
Final stage Eliminated Eliminated
Second stage 1,475 (29.0%) Eliminated
First stage 1,251 (24.0%) 739 (14.2%)
Chancellor before election

The Lord Campbell of Pittenweem

 Elected Chancellor

Dame Anne Pringle

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From the creation of the position in the 1410s until 2026, every Chancellor of St Andrews had been either a peer or an archbishop, with the notable exception of Sir Kenneth Dover.[5] Other previous holders of the post include royals James, Duke of Ross; Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge; Prince William, Duke of Cumberland; and former prime minister Stanley Baldwin. The term of the appointment following the 2026 election will be for ten years, subject to approval by the Privy Council; previous office holders held life tenure.[6]

Electorate and voting

The electorate was made up of members of the General Council which includes: graduates of the university, members and former members of the University Court, professors and former professors, and other senior academic staff.[7]

Following the uncontested election of Menzies Campbell in 2006,[8] this was the first election conducted through electronic voting, using the alternative vote system.[7] Nominations for the position opened on 1 December 2025 and closed on 9 January 2026, with confirmed candidates announced on 26 January. Voting took place in the third week of Candlemas semester between 16 and 22 February 2026.

Candidates

Candidates were not required to have studied or hold a degree from St Andrews in order to stand for the chancellorship; the most recent Chancellor to have studied at the university was George Gledstanes, appointed in 1604. Candidates were eligible to stand if they received nominations from at least 25 members of the General Council, were not employed by the university or a matriculated student, and if their candidacy did not bring the university into disrepute.[7] Four candidates were confirmed to have met the criteria and were announced on 26 January 2026, all of whom are alumni.[9]

Candidates are listed below in alphabetical order:[10]

More information Name Degree(s) from St Andrews, Current and former roles ...
Name
Degree(s) from St Andrews		 Current and former roles Notes Campaign
Dame Anne Pringle[11]
Hon. LL.D., 2022
M.A. French and German, 1977		 Former British Ambassador to Russia and British Ambassador to the Czech Republic Former Senior Lay Member (Senior Governor) of the University Court[12]
Notable Supporters

– Professor Frances Andrews
– Professor Sharon Ashbrook
– Professor Paul Boyle
– Professor James Naismith
– Professor Stuart Monro
– Catherine Stihler
– Professor Sir David Wallace

Mark Sedwill, Baron Sedwill[13]
Hon. LL.D., 2022
B.Sc. Economics, 1987		 Former Cabinet Secretary and National Security Advisor of the United Kingdom Current Non-Executive Member of the University Court[14] Sedwill for St Andrews
Website
Notable Supporters

General Council Members
– Dame Madeleine Alessandri
– Professor Ali Ansari
– Very Revd Dr Derek Browning
– Sir Ian Diamond
– Sir Michael Fallon
– Lord Forsyth of Drumlean
– Dr Fiona Hill
– Alison Johns
– Sir Andrew Mackenzie
– Professor Ewan McKendrick
– Professor Phillips O'Brien
– Lord Robertson of Port Ellen
– Sir John Rose
– Professor Guy Rowlands
– Professor Christopher Smith
– Lt Gen Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne
– Professor Sir Hew Strachan
– Brian Viner
– Viscount Younger of Leckie
– Sir Alex Younger
– Lt Gen Sir Barney White-Spunner
Other Supporters
– The Lord Gove[15]
– Johnny Mercer[16]
- General David Petraeus[citation needed]
– Sir Julian Smith[17]

Lady Walmsley[18][A]
Ph.D. History, 1998
M.A. History and International Relations, 1993		 Defence, security and nuclear consultant Alex 4 Chancellor
Website
Dame Barbara Woodward[20]
M.A. History, 1983		 Deputy National Security Advisor; Former Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and British Ambassador to China Barbara Woodward for Chancellor
Website
Notable Supporters
– Professor Colin Ballantyne
– Hans van Mourik Broekman
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The St Andrews student newspaper, The Saint, reported that the election could result in the university's first female Chancellor since the 1410s.[21]

On 12 February, the Free Speech Union and Alumni for Free Speech jointly endorsed both Lord Sedwill and Lady Walmsley as strong free speech candidates.[22][23] On 13 February, the working day before voting formally began, The Times named Lord Sedwill as the frontrunner for the position.[24]

Results

7,072 members of the General Council registered to vote in the election and a total of 5,210 votes were cast, for a turnout of 73.6%. Results were announced on 24 February 2026 and were as follows:[4]

More information Candidate, First stage ...
Candidate First stage Second stage Final stage
Votes % Votes ± % Votes ± %
Green tickY Anne Pringle 1,601 30.7% 1,812 211Increase 35.6% 2,643 831Increase 54.4%
The Lord Sedwill 1,619 31.1% 1,807 188Increase 35.5% 2,215 408Increase 45.6%
Barbara Woodward 1,251 24.0% 1,475 224Increase 29.0% Eliminated
Alexandra Walmsley 739 14.2% Eliminated
Votes cast 5,210 100% 5,094 116Decrease 4,858 236Decrease
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See also

References

Notes

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