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List of chancellors and vice-chancellors of British universities

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This following is a current list of the chancellors, vice-chancellors and visitors of universities in the United Kingdom. The chancellor is the ceremonial head of a university, while the vice-chancellor is the chief academic officer and chief executive;[1] some universities have only a vice-chancellor but no chancellor. A few universities use other titles for their ceremonial head, e.g., "president" at the Royal Agricultural University and "rector" at Brunel, University of London.[2][3] Two English universities (UCL and Imperial) have chief executives who do not use the title vice-chancellor.[4][5] In Scotland, the chief executive is titled the principal and vice-chancellor.[6]

The visitor is appointed by the founder of a charitable institution to oversee the distribution of the founder's bounty; in the case of universities, this is often the sovereign, in which case the office is usually carried out by the Lord President of the Council.[7] In general, only universities incorporated as chartered or statutory corporations have visitors, i.e. most pre-1992 institutions but not post-1992 universities. Where there is no provision for appointing a visitor in the charter of a chartered university, or if no visitor has been appointed, then the sovereign is the visitor.[8][9] Scottish universities do not have visitors, nor do the two ancient universities of England, which are civil corporations.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

More information University, Chancellor ...
University Chancellor Vice-Chancellor Visitor
Aberystwyth University Dame Nicola Davies[10] Jon Timmis[11] (Appointed by the Privy Council)[12]
Anglia Ruskin University Bernard Ribeiro, Baron Ribeiro[13] Roderick Watkins[14]
Arden University Carl Lygo[15][a]
Arts University Plymouth Paul Fieldsend-Danks[16][b]
Arts University Bournemouth Lisa Mann[17][a]
University of AstonAston University Jason Wouhra[18] Colin Grant[19][b] (Appointed by the Privy Council)[20]
Bangor University Sir Robin Williams[21] Edmund Burke[22] (No provision in charter)[23]
University of Bath Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh[24] Phil Taylor[25][c] Sir Barry Cotter[26] (Appointed by Order in Council)[27]
Bath Spa University Sharanjit Leyl[28] Georgina Andrews[29]
University of Bedfordshire Sarfraz Manzoor[30][b] Rebecca Bunting[31]
BIMM University Olivier Robert-Murphy[32][d]
Birkbeck, University of London Shami Chakrabarti, Baroness Chakrabarti[33][e] Sally Wheeler[33] (The King acting through the Lord President of the Council, or as appointed by Order in Council)[34]
University of Birmingham Sandie Okoro[35] Adam Tickell[36][f] Lord President of the Council[37]
Birmingham City University Ade Adepitan[38] David Mba[39]
Birmingham Newman University Julie Etchingham[40] Jackie Dunne[41]
University College Birmingham Michael Harkin[42][f]
University of BournemouthBournemouth University Kate Adie[43] Alison Honour[44]
BPP University Martyn W Jones[45] Tim Stewart[46]
University of Bradford Anita Rani[47] Shirley Congdon[48] (No provision in charter)[49]
University of Brighton Donna Whitehead[50]
University of Bristol Sir Paul Nurse[51] Evelyn Welch[52][c] Lord President of the Council[37]
Brunel University of London Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell[3][g] Andrew Jones[53][c] (No provision in charter)[54]
University of Buckingham Dame Mary Archer[55] James Tooley[56] (No provision in charter)[57]
University of Buckinghamshire NewBuckinghamshire New University Vacant as of September 2024[58] Damien Page
University of Cambridge Chris Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury[59] Deborah Prentice[60]
Canterbury Christ Church University Archbishop of Canterbury[61]
(Sarah Mullally)		 Rama Thirunamachandran[62][f]
Cardiff Metropolitan University Stephen Wordsworth[63] Rachael Langford[64][h]
University of CardiffCardiff University Laura Trevelyan Wendy Larner[65][h] Sir Anthony Evans
(Appointed by the Sovereign-in-Council on the nomination of the chancellor of the university)[66]
University of Chester Dame Jenny Harries[67] Eunice Simmons[68][f]
University of Chichester Symeon Dagkas[69]
City St George's, University of London Lord Mayor of London[70][g] Anthony Finkelstein[71][e] (No provision in charter)[72]
Coventry University Eng Ahmed El Sewedy[73] John Latham[74][a]
University of CranfieldCranfield University Dame Deirdre Hutton[75] Dame Karen Holford[76][i] Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
(Appointed by Order in Council)[77]
University for the Creative Arts Dame Magdalene Odundo[78] Melanie Gray and Mark Ellul[79][h]
University of Cumbria Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York[80] Julie Mennell[81]
De Montfort University Akram Khan[82] Katie Normington[83]
University of Derby William Cavendish, Earl of Burlington[84] Kathryn Mitchell[85][b]
Durham University Fiona Hill[86] Karen O'Brien[87][j] The Bishop of Durham, or a suffragan bishop during vacancies longer than four weeks[88] (Rick Simpson)
University of East Anglia Dame Jenny Abramsky[89] David Maguire[90] (Appointed by Order in Council)[91]
University of East London Aamer Sarfraz[92] Amanda Broderick[93][c]
Edge Hill University Dawn Airey[94] Nick Braisby[95] (Interim)
University of Essex Sarah Perry[96] Frances Bowen[97] (Appointed by Order in Council)[98]
University of Exeter Sir Michael Barber[99] Lisa Roberts[100][h] The Sovereign[101] (Charles III)
Falmouth University Dawn French[102] Emma Hunt[103][b]
University of Gloucestershire Michael Bichard, Baron Bichard Dame Clare Marchant[104][a]
Goldsmiths, University of London David Oswell (Interim)[105] (No provision charter)[106]
University of Greater Manchester George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews[107] Greg Walker (Interim)[108][h]
University of Greenwich Paul Boateng, Baron Boateng[109] Jane Harrington[110]
Harper Adams University Anne, Princess Royal[111] Ken Sloan[112]
Hartpury University Martin Clunes[113] Andy Collop[114][k]
Health Sciences University Anne, Princess Royal[115] Lesley Haig[115]
University of Hertfordshire Grace Ononiwu[116] Anthony Woodman[117]
University of Huddersfield Sir George Buckley Bob Cryan[118][b]
University of Hull Alan Johnson Tom Lawson[119] Lord President of the Council[37]
Imperial College LondonImperial College London Hugh Brady[5][e] Lord President of the Council[37]
University of KeeleKeele University Carol Shanahan[120] Kevin Shakesheff[121] Lord President of the Council[37]
University of Kent YolanDa Brown[122] Georgina Randsley de Moura (acting)[123] Archbishop of Canterbury[124] (Sarah Mullally)
King's College London Anne, Princess Royal
(as Chancellor of the University of London)		 Shitij Kapur[125][c] Vacant (appointed by Order in Council)[126]
Kingston University Steven Spier[127]
University of Lancashire Ranvir Singh[128] Graham Baldwin[129]
Lancaster University Alan Milburn Steve Decent[130] The Sovereign[131] (Charles III)
University of Leeds Dame Jane Francis Shearer West[132][c] Lord President of the Council[37]
Leeds Arts University Skin[133] Simone Wonnacott[134]
Leeds Beckett University Sir Bob Murray Peter Slee[135]
Leeds Trinity University Deborah McAndrew Charles Egbu[136]
University of Leicester Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock[137] Nishan Canagarajah[138][h] Lord President of the Council[37]
University of Lincoln Victor Adebowale, Baron Adebowale Neal Juster[139]
Lincoln Bishop University Tracy Borman[140] Andrew Gower[141]
University of Liverpool Wendy Beetlestone[142] Tim Jones[143] Lord President of the Council[37]
University of Liverpool HopeLiverpool Hope University Monica Grady[citation needed] Claire Ozanne[144][l]
Liverpool John Moores University Nisha Katona[145] Mark Power[146][b]
University of London Anne, Princess Royal[147] Wendy Thomson[147] The Sovereign acting through the Lord President of the Council[147]
London Metropolitan University Julie Hall[148]
London School of Economics Larry Kramer[149][h]
London South Bank University Sir Simon Hughes[150] Paul Kett[151]
University of LoughboroughLoughborough University Sebastian Coe, Baron Coe[152] Nick Jennings[153][c] Paul Michell[154][155] (Appointed by Order in Council)[156]
University of Manchester Nazir Afzal[157] Duncan Ivison[158][h] (Appointed by Order in Council)[159]
Manchester Metropolitan University Antony Jenkins[160] Malcolm Press[161]
Middlesex University Dame Janet Ritterman[162] Shân Wareing[163]
University of NewcastleNewcastle University Imtiaz Dharker[164] Chris Day[164][c] The Sovereign[165] (Charles III)
University of Northampton Richard Coles[166] Anne-Marie Kilday[167]
Northeastern University – London Rob Farquharson[168][m]
Northumbria University George Clarke[169] Andy Long[170][b]
Norwich University of the Arts Amma Asante[171] Ben Stopher[172]
University of Nottingham Lola Young, Baroness Young of Hornsey[173] Jane Norman[174][h] Lord President of the Council[37]
Nottingham Trent University Sir John Peace[175] Dave Petley[176][c]
University of OpenOpen University Martha Lane Fox, Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho[177] David Phoenix[178] (Appointed by Order in Council)[179]
University of Oxford William Hague, Baron Hague of Richmond[180] Irene Tracey[181]
Oxford Brookes University Paterson Joseph[182] Helen Laville[183]
Plymouth University Jonathan Kestenbaum, Baron Kestenbaum[184] Richard Davies[184]
Plymouth Marjon University Nick McKinnel[185] Claire Taylor[186][b]
University of Portsmouth Karen Blackett[187] Graham Galbraith[188]
Queen Mary University of London Colin Bailey[189][n] The King acting through the Lord President of the Council, or as appointed by order in council[190]
Queen's University Belfast Hillary Clinton[191] Sir Ian Greer[192][h] (No provision in charter)[193]
Ravensbourne University London Jon Kingsbury[194]
University of Reading Paul Lindley[195] Robert Van de Noort[196] Lord President of the Council[37]
Regent's University London Vacant Geoff Smith[197][a]
Richmond American University London Philip Deans[198][h]
University of RoehamptonRoehampton University Sandip Verma, Baroness Verma[199] Jean-Noël Ezingeard[200][c]
Royal Agricultural University King Charles III[2][e] Peter McCaffery[201]
Royal Holloway, University of London Julie Sanders[202][f] (Appointed by the university council)[203]
Royal Veterinary College Stuart Reid[204][n] (No provision in charter)[205]
University of Salford Lucy Meacock[206] Nic Beech[207] (No provision in charter)[208]
University of Sheffield Dame Anne Rafferty[209] Koen Lamberts[210][h] Lord President of the Council[37]
Sheffield Hallam University Uriah Rennie[211] Liz Mossop[212]
SOAS University of London Zeinab Badawi[213][e] King-in-Council (or as appointed by Order in Council)[214]
Southampton Solent University Theo Paphitis[215] James Knowles[216]
University of Southampton Justine Greening and Kamlesh Patel, Baron Patel of Bradford Philip Wright[h] (Interim)

Charlie Jeffery (Incoming)[217]

 Lord President of the Council[37]
University of South Wales Rowan Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth[218] Ben Calvert[219]
University of StaffordshireStaffordshire University Francis Fitzherbert, 15th Baron Stafford[220] Philip Plowden[221] (Interim)[b]
St Mary's University, Twickenham Cardinal Vincent Nichols[222] Anthony McClaran[223]
University of Suffolk Helen Pankhurst[224] Jenny Higham[225][a]
University of Sunderland Emeli Sandé[226] Sir David Bell[227][b]
University of Surrey Prince Edward, Duke of Kent[228] Stephen Jarvis[229] (Appointed by Order in Council)[230]
University of Sussex Sanjeev Bhaskar[231] Sasha Roseneil[232][c] Lord President of the Council[37]
Swansea University Dame Jean Thomas[233] Paul Boyle[234] (Appointed by Order in Council)[235]
Teesside University Paul Drechsler[236] Paul Croney[237][b]
Ulster University Colin Davidson[238] Paul Bartholomew[239] (No provision in charter)[240]
University College London Michael Spence[4][o] Master of the Rolls[241]
University of the Arts London Clive Myrie Karen Stanton[242][h]
University of Law David Neuberger, Baron Neuberger of Abbotsbury[243] Andrea Nollent[244][a]
University of Wales King Charles III[245] Elwen Evans[246] Lord President of the Council[37]
University of Wales, Trinity Saint David Elwen Evans[246] Bishop of St David's or nominee[247] (Joanna Penberthy)
University of Warwick Bience Gawanas Stuart Croft[248][c] (Appointed by Order in Council)[249]
University of West London Laurence Geller[250] Peter John[250][c]
University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) Sir Peter Bazalgette[251] Sir Steve West[252][p]
University of Westminster Natalie Campbell[253] Peter Bonfield[254][c]
University of Winchester Hugh Dennis Sarah Greer[255]
University of Wolverhampton Vacant Ebrahim Adia[256]
University of Worcester Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester[257][b] David Green[257]
Wrexham University Colin Jackson[258] Joe Yates[259]
University of York Heather Melville[260] Charlie Jeffery[261] (outgoing)[c] (Appointed by Order in Council)[262]
York St John University Reeta Chakrabarti[263] Karen Bryan[264]
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Scotland

At Scottish universities, the chief executive is styled the principal (formally principal and vice-chancellor). The ancient universities of Scotland, and the University of Dundee, have a rector, elected by the student body.

More information University, Chancellor ...
University Chancellor Principal Rector
University of Aberdeen Queen Camilla[265] Peter Edwards[266] Iona Fyfe
Abertay University Alice Brown[267] Liz Bacon[268]
University of Dundee George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen[269] Nigel Seaton (interim)[270] Maggie Chapman
University of Edinburgh Anne, Princess Royal Sir Peter Mathieson[271] Simon Fanshawe
Edinburgh Napier University Will Whitehorn[272] Sue Rigby[273]
University of Glasgow Dame Katherine Grainger Andy Schofield[274] Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Glasgow Caledonian University Anne-Marie Imafidon Mairi Watson[275]
Heriot-Watt University Vacant Richard Williams[276]
University of the Highlands and Islands Anne, Princess Royal Vicki Nairn [277]
Queen Margaret University Patrick Grant[278] Sir Paul Grice[279]
Robert Gordon University Dame Evelyn Glennie[280] Steve Olivier[281]
University of St Andrews Dame Anne Pringle Dame Sally Mapstone[282] Stella Maris
University of Stirling Jack McConnell, Baron McConnell of Glenscorrodale[283] Sir Gerry McCormac[284]
University of Strathclyde Robert Smith, Baron Smith of Kelvin[285] Stephen McArthur
University of the West of Scotland Yekemi Otaru[286] James Miller[287]
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Long service

The vice-chancellors listed below have served in that capacity for 15 years or more at a British university, a constituent institution of a federal university, or an institution that achieved that status during their period in office. Italics indicate people currently in office as of January 2024.

47 Years: George Baird (Edinburgh 1793–1840).[288]

43 Years: Sir Henry Reichel (Bangor 1884–1927).[289]

36 Years: George Campbell (Aberdeen 1759–95).

35 Years: Duncan Macfarlan(Glasgow 1823–58), John Mackay (Dundee 1895–1930).

34 Years: Hector Boece (Aberdeen 1500–34), Thomas Hamilton (Queens Belfast 1889–1923), Sir Hector Hetherington (Liverpool 1927–36, Glasgow 1936–61).

33 Years: Neil Campbell (Glasgow 1728–61).

31 Years: Sir Emrys Evans (Bangor 1927–58), Sir James Irvine (St Andrews 1921–52), Charles Thorp (Durham 1831–62).[290]

30 Years: William Robertson (Edinburgh 1762–92),[288] Patrick Sharp (Glasgow 1585–1615).

29 Years: John Adamson (Edinburgh 1623–1652),[288] Sir James Donaldson (St Andrews 1886–1915).

28 Years: Ellen Charlotte Higgins (Royal Holloway 1907–35), Thomas Roberts (Aberystwyth 1891–1919).

27 Years: Sir Isambard Owen (Armstrong College, Newcastle 1894–1909, Bristol 1909–21), John Stirling (Glasgow 1701–28).

26 Years: Sir Charles Evans (Bangor 1958–1984), George Smith (Aberdeen 1909–35).

25 Years: John Caird (Glasgow 1873–98), William Lake (Durham 1869–94),[291] John Murray (Exeter 1926-51), Sir Albert Sloman (Essex 1962–87), John Strang (Glasgow 1626–51), Sir Aubrey Trotman-Dickenson (Cardiff 1968–93).

24 Years: Sir William Halliday (KCL 1928–52), William Leechman (Glasgow 1761–85).

23 Years: James Duff (Durham Colleges 1937–60),[291] Medwin Hughes (Trinity University College 2000–2011, Lampeter 2009–11, UWTSD 2011–23, Wales 2011–23),[292] David Green (Worcester 2003–present).

22 Years: Sir David Brewster (St Andrews 1837–59), Sir Thomas Holland (Imperial 1922–29, Edinburgh 1929–44), Lord Stopford (Manchester 1934–56), Dame Margaret Tuke (Bedford 1907–29), Edward Wright (Glasgow 1662–84).

21 Years: Bill Bevan (Cardiff 1966–87), Henry Charteris (Edinburgh 1599–1620),[288] George Holmes (Bolton/Greater Manchester 2005–26), [Geraldine Emma May Jebb|Geraldine Jebb (Bedford 1930–51), Sir Edward Ross (SOAS 1916–37), Tim Wheeler (Chester 1998–2019).

20 Years: Lord Butterworth (Warwick 1965–85), Sir Colin Campbell (Nottingham 1988–2008), Sir Alexander Carr-Saunders (London 1937–57), Sir Graeme Davies (Liverpool 1986–91, Glasgow 1995–2003, London 2003-10), [[David Latchman (Birkbeck 2003–2023), Sir John LeFevre (London 1842–62), Sir Donald MacAlister (Glasgow 1909–29), Sir Philip Morris (Bristol 1946–66), Sir Timothy O'Shea (Birkbeck 1998–2002, Edinburgh 2002–18), Sir Cyril Philips (SOAS 1956–76), Sir Frederick Rees (Cardiff 1929–49), William Taylor (Glasgow 1803–23), John Watson (St Andrews 1966–86).

19 Years: John Cater (Edge Hill 2006–2025), Lord Chilver (Cranfield 1970–89), Michael Driscoll (Middlesex 1996–2015), Thomas Edmonds (Aberystwyth 1872–91), Anthony Kelly (Surrey 1975–94), John Lee (Edinburgh 1840–59),[288] Sir Oliver Lodge (Birmingham 1900–19), Sir Fraser Noble (Leicester 1962–76, Aberdeen 1976–81), Gerald Pillay (Liverpool Hope 2003–22), Sir Michael Sterling (Brunel 1990–2001, Birmingham 2001–09), Frank Thistlethwaite (East Anglia 1961–80), Sir Ralph Turner (SOAS 1937–56), Raymond Rickett (Middlesex 1972–91),

18 Years: William Beveridge (LSE 1919–37), Sir Derman Christopherson (Durham Colleges 1960–63, Durham 1961-78),[291] Archibald Davidson (Glasgow 1785–1803), Ifor Evans (Aberystwyth 1934–52), John Viriamu Jones (Cardiff 1883–1901), Sir James Mountford (Liverpool 1945–63), Sir William Muir (Edinburgh 1885–1903),[288] Sir Steve Smith (Exeter 2002–20), William Wishart (Edinburgh 1736–54),[288]

17 Years: Sir Edward Appleton (Edinburgh 1948–65),[288] Sir Michael Arthur (Leeds 2004–13, UCL 2013–21), Edith Batho (Royal Holloway 1945–62), Baroness Blackstone (Birkbeck 1987–97, Greenwich 2004–11), Dame Glynis Breakwell (Bath 2001–18), John Brooks (Wolverhampton 1998–2005, Manchester Met 2005–15), Brian Cantor (York 2002–13, Bradford 2013–19), Sir Samuel Curran (Strathclyde 1964–81), Lord Flowers (Imperial 1973–85, London 1985–90), Sir Alexander Grant (Edinburgh 1868–85),[288] Sir Peter Gregson (Queens Belfast 2004–13, Cranfield 2013–21), Ernest Griffiths (Cardiff 1901–18), Bertrand Hallward (Nottingham 1948–65), Sir Martin Harris (Essex 1987–92, Manchester 1992–04), Frank Hartley (Cranfield 1989–2006), Hugh Nisbet (Heriot-Watt 1950–67), Sir Franklin Sibly (Reading 1929–46), Anthony Steel (Cardiff 1949–66), Geoffrey Sim (Sheffield 1974–91), Lord Sutherland (KCL 1985–90, London 1990–94, Edinburgh 1994–2002),[288] Geoffrey Templeman (Kent 1963–80).

16 Years: Charles Bosanquet (King's College, Newcastle 1952–63, Newcastle 1963–68),[291] Sir Charles Carter (Lancaster 1964–80), John Craven (Portsmouth 1997–2003), Frederick Crawford (Aston 1980-96), Sir Alfred Dale (Liverpool 1903–1919), Richard Davies (Swansea 2003–19), Sir David Eastwood (East Anglia 2002–06, Birmingham 2009–21), Sir John Kingman (Bristol 1985–2001), Sir Alan Langlands (Dundee 2000–09, Leeds 2013–20), Sir Jim McDonald (Strathclyde 2009-25), Sir Peter Noble (KCL 1952–68), Colin Riordan (Essex 2007–12, Cardiff 2012–23), Sir Adrian Smith (QMC 1998–2008, London 2012–18), Sir Michael Thompson (East Anglia 1980–86, Birmingham 1987–96).

15 Years: Sir Robert Aitken (Birmingham 1953–68), Thomas Barley (Glasgow 1858–73), Alfred Barry (KCL 1868–83), Dame Janet Beer (Oxford Brooks 2007–15, Liverpool 2015–22), Duncan Bunch (Glasgow 1460–75), Sir Bob Burgess (Leicester 1999–2014), Dame Janet Finch (Keele 1995–2010), Sir David Harrison (Keele 1979–84, Exeter 1984–94), Richard Jeff (KCL 1843–68), Sir Irvine Masson (Sheffield 1938–53), Malcolm McVicar (UCLan 1998–13), Sir Alec Merrison (Bristol 1969–84), Frank Morgan (Bath Spa 1997–2012), Lord Morris (Leeds 1948–63), Sir Howard Newby (Southampton 1994-2001, West England 2006–08, Liverpool 2008–14), Paul O'Prey (Roehampton 2004–19), Elizabeth Reid (Bedford 1849–64), Sir Charles Robertson (Birmingham 1923–38), David VandeLinde (Bath 1992–2001, Warwick 2001–06), Sir Charles Wilson (Glasgow 1961–76),

See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    Position titled Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer
  2. [b]
    Position titled Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive
  3. [c]
    Position titled Vice-Chancellor and President
  4. [d]
    Position titled Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chancellor
  5. [e]
    Position titled President
  6. [f]
    Position titled Vice-Chancellor and Principal
  7. [g]
    Position titled Rector
  8. [h]
    Position titled President and Vice-Chancellor
  9. [i]
    Position titled Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor
  10. [j]
    Position titled Vice-Chancellor and Warden
  11. [k]
    Position titled Vice-Chancellor, Executive Principal and Chief Executive Officer
  12. [l]
    Position titled Vice-Chancellor and Rector
  13. [m]
    Position titled Chief Executive Officer
  14. [n]
    Position titled President and Principal
  15. [o]
    Position titled President and Provost
  16. [p]
    Position titled Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer

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