The Ceremonial Heads of Uk Universities

036-043_THE_DEC0111.qxp:Layout 1 29/11/11 13:01 Page 38

WHO’S REPRESENTING? THE CEREMONIAL HEADS OF UK UNIVERSITIES WHO’S REPRESENTING? THE CEREMONIAL HEADS OF UK UNIVERSITIES University Position Name Background In post since University Position Name Background In post since University of Aberdeen Chancellor Lord Wilson of Tillyorn Retired diplomat; former governor of Hong Kong 1997 University of Dundee Chancellor Lord Patel Obstetrician 2006 University of Aberdeen Rector Stephen Robertson Comedian 2008 University of Dundee Rector Brian Cox Actor 2010 University of Abertay Dundee Chancellor Lord Cullen of Whitekirk Senior member of the Scottish judiciary 2009 Durham University Chancellor Bill Bryson Author 2005 Aberystwyth University President Sir Emyr Jones Parry Retired diplomat 2008 University of East Anglia Chancellor Sir Brandon Gough Businessman and chartered accountant 2003 Anglia Ruskin University Chancellor Lord Ashcroft Businessman, author and philanthropist 2001 University of East London No chancellor Aston University Chancellor Sir John Sunderland Former president, CBI; former chief executive, Cadbury Schweppes 2010 Edge Hill University Chancellor Tanya Byron Psychologist, writer and television presenter 2008 Bangor University President Lord Elis-Thomas Welsh politician; former leader of Plaid Cymru 2000 University of Edinburgh Chancellor HRH the Princess Royal, Member of the Royal Family 2011 University of Bath Chancellor Lord Tugendhat British politician and businessman 1998 Princess Anne Bath Spa University No chancellor University of Edinburgh Rector Iain Macwhirter Scottish political commentator 2009 University of Bedfordshire Chancellor Baroness Howells of St Davids Former director, Greenwich Racial Equality Council 2009 Edinburgh Napier University Chancellor Tim Waterstone Founder of Waterstone’s 2007 University of Birmingham Chancellor Sir Dominic Cadbury Former chairman, Cadbury Schweppes; former chairman, Wellcome Trust 2002 University of Essex Chancellor Lord Phillips of Sudbury Solicitor and politician 2003 Birmingham City University Chancellor Anita Ward Lord Mayor of Birmingham and councillor 2011 University of Exeter Chancellor Baroness Benjamin Broadcaster 2006 University of Bolton Chancellor Baroness Morris of Bolton Politician 2010 University of Glamorgan Chancellor Lord Morris of Aberavon Retired politician and barrister 2002 Bournemouth University Chancellor Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers President of the Supreme Court of the UK 2009 University of Glasgow Chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman Cancer researcher; former Chief Medical Officer 2006 University of Bradford Chancellor Imran Khan Pakistani politician and former cricketer 2005 University of Glasgow Rector Charles Kennedy Politician; former leader of the Liberal Democrats 2008 University of Brighton No chancellor Glasgow Caledonian University Chancellor Lord Macdonald Journalist and broadcaster; television executive 2007 University of Bristol Chancellor Baroness Hale of Richmond Legal academic, barrister and Justice of the Supreme Court of the UK 2004 of Tradeston Brunel University Chancellor Lord Wakeham Businessman and politician 1998 University of Gloucestershire No chancellor University of Buckingham Chancellor Lord Tanlaw Businessman 2010 Glyndwr University No chancellor Bucks New University No chancellor University of Greenwich Chancellor Lord Hart of Chilton Politician 2008 University of Cambridge Chancellor Lord Sainsbury of Turville Businessman, politician and former science minister 2011 Heriot-Watt University Chancellor Baroness Greenfield Neuroscientist, writer and broadcaster 2006 Canterbury Christ Church University Chancellor Archbishop of Canterbury, University of Hertfordshire Chancellor The Marquess of Salisbury, Politician and seventh Marquess of Salisbury 2005 Rowan Williams Leader of the Church of England 2005 Robert Gascoyne-Cecil Cardiff University President Sir Martin Evans Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine 2009 University of the Highlands Chancellor HRH the Princess Royal, Member of the Royal Family 2012 Cardiff Metropolitan University President Delme Bowen Lord Mayor of Cardiff 2011 and Islands Princess Anne (yet to start) University of Central Lancashire Chancellor Sir Richard Evans Former chairman, BAE Systems 2001 University of the Highlands University of Chester Chancellor Duke of Westminster, Property developer, landowner and former Territorial Army officer 2005 and Islands Rector Garry Coutts Businessman 2010 Gerald Grosvenor University of Huddersfield Chancellor Sir Patrick Stewart Actor 2004 University of Chichester No chancellor University of Hull Chancellor Baroness Bottomley Politician 2006 City University London Chancellor David Wootton Lord Mayor of London; lawyer 2011 of Nettlestone Coventry University Chancellor Sir John Egan Former head, Jaguar; former head, BAA 2007 Imperial College London Chairman of the Baroness Manningham-Buller Former director general, MI5 2011 Cranfield University Chancellor Baroness Young of Old Scone Chief executive, Diabetes UK 2010 Court and Council University for the Creative Arts Chancellor Zandra Rhodes Fashion designer 2010 Keele University Chancellor Jonathon Porritt Environmentalist, writer and broadcaster 2011 University of Cumbria Chancellor Archbishop of York, University of Kent Chancellor Sir Robert Worcester Founder, MORI 2006 John Sentamu Second most senior cleric in Church of England 2007 Kingston University Chancellor Sir Peter Hall Theatre director 2000 De Montfort University Chancellor Lord Alli Media entrepreneur 2006 University of Lancaster Chancellor Sir Chris Bonington Mountaineer 2005 University of Derby Chancellor Peregrine Cavendish 12th Duke of Devonshire 2008 University of Leeds Chancellor Lord Bragg Writer and broadcaster 1999 A

o some, they are just “an archaism” and election for the new Cambridge chancellor P who has been chancellor of the University of / E R

“powerless ﬁgureheads” without suggests that it is a role many care about. U Exeter since 2006, aims to make “every single T

I think to myself: “Is this the one A E

purpose; to others, they are “passionate From the former cricketer turned politician F graduate and their family feel special”. T X E who’ll change the world?” That’s my champions” and influential lobbyists for Imran Khan to actor Sheila Hancock, and the R Benjamin experienced the joy of the occasion excitement on greeting each graduate. universities at a time when such support is Archbishop of Canterbury to the musician for the first time in 2005, when Exeter desperately needed. Sir Robin Biggam, former Brian May, a quick scan of today’s university awarded her an honorary doctorate, an experi - I hope my words of encouragement chairman of the now-defunct Independent chancellors (see table) reveals that they are a ence she describes as “the highlight of my will inspire them to make a difference Television Commission, maintains that a diverse group who are doing an assortment of life”. As someone who left school at 16, on person is qualified to be one only if he or she things in the wider world. Among UK universi - graduation day she felt as though she “had has reached “at least” the age of 50, while the ties, around 18 per cent of ceremonial heads gone to the Moon and back”. She now former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies could be described as “celebrities”. Twenty- endeavours to attend every graduation cere - Campbell proclaims that they should be “seen seven per cent come from the world of busi - mony, where she aims to make a connection, often and heard rarely”. ness, 26 per cent have a background in politics however brief, with each graduate. “I think to The job of university chancellor, which is and 43 per cent are peers. Seven universities – myself: ‘Is this the one who’ll create something nearly 800 years old, is certainly peculiar. including the University of London – are repre - scientific that will change the world? Will this Partly it is about pomp and ceremony; as sented by royals. Ten honorary heads have a one be prime minister? Will they be a teacher?’ honorary head of the institution, chancellors background in academia and 18 in the media. That’s my excitement on greeting each are expected to dress – as the broadcaster and All have busy lives outside academia and graduate. That’s the focal point. It’s that chancellor of the University of Roehampton limited time to spare, so what can they moment between me and the student. I hope John Simpson puts it – “in impossibly bright contribute to their institution? Most obviously, my words of encouragement to them will colours” in readiness to shake an astonishingly a celebrity can raise the profile of a university inspire them to go out and make a difference.” large number of hands on graduation day. and, perhaps, add an air of glamour; while Not all chancellors are so confident of their Beyond that, the list of official duties is “laugh- those who are well connected in the worlds of ability to make an impact, however. On gradu - ably short”, says Matthew Moss, private politics or business might hope to win friends Lord Ashcroft ation day, Lord Adebowale, chief executive of secretary to the vice-chancellor of the Univer - in high places and influence policy on their Anglia Ruskin University the charity Turning Point and chancellor of the sity of Cambridge – and for that reason, the institution’s behalf. University of Lincoln, often imagines that “the post is “what the incumbent makes of it”. But Other chancellors claim to care predomi - Lord Sainsbury people taking pictures will look back in four whatever one’s view of their importance or nantly about their university’s students. The University of Cambridge years and see this 6ft dreadlocked black guy otherwise, the fact that 5,558 academics and former children’s television presenter and and think ‘who the hell is that?’” graduates turned out to vote in this autumn’s Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Benjamin, The manner in which chancellors are 38 Times Higher Education 1 December 2011 1 December 2011 Times Higher Education 39 036-043_THE_DEC0111.qxp:Layout 1 29/11/11 13:01 Page 38

o some, they are just “an archaism” and election for the new Cambridge chancellor P who has been chancellor of the University of / E R

“powerless ﬁgureheads” without suggests that it is a role many care about. U Exeter since 2006, aims to make “every single T

I think to myself: “Is this the one A E

WHO’S REPRESENTING? THE CEREMONIAL HEADS OF UK UNIVERSITIES WHO’S REPRESENTING? THE CEREMONIAL HEADS OF UK UNIVERSITIES University Position Name Background In post since University Position Name Background In post since Leeds Metropolitan University No chancellor Sheffield Hallam University Chancellor Lord Winston Professor of science and society, emeritus professor of fertility studies, 2001 University of Leicester No chancellor Imperial College London; TV presenter and politician University of Lincoln Chancellor Lord Adebowale Chief executive, social-care charity Turning Point 2008 University of Southampton Chancellor Helen Alexander Businesswoman; deputy president, CBI 2011 University of Liverpool Chancellor Sir David King Scientist; former Chief Scientific Adviser 2009 Southampton Solent University Chancellor Lord West of Spithead Former First Sea Lord; former minister for security and counter-terrorism 2006 Liverpool Hope University Chancellor Baroness Cox Founder, Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust 2006 Staffordshire University No chancellor Liverpool John Moores University Chancellor Brian May Musician; member of the band Queen 2008 University of Stirling Chancellor James Naughtie Radio presenter 2008 University of London Chancellor HRH the Princess Royal, Member of the Royal Family 1981 University of Strathclyde Chancellor Lord Hope of Craighead Judge; deputy president of the Supreme Court of the UK 1998 Princess Anne University of Sunderland Chancellor Steve Cram Retired athlete; sports commentator 2008 London Metropolitan University No chancellor University of Surrey Chancellor HRH the Duke of Kent, Member of the Royal Family 1977 London South Bank University Chancellor Sir Trevor McDonald Broadcaster 1999 Prince Edward Loughborough University Chancellor Sir Nigel Rudd Chairman, BAA 2010 University of Sussex Chancellor Sanjeev Bhaskar Comedian, writer, actor and broadcaster 2009 University of Manchester Chancellor Tom Bloxham Property developer 2008 Swansea University Chancellor Rhodri Morgan Politician; former leader of Welsh Assembly 2011 Manchester Metropolitan University Chancellor Dianne Thompson Head, Camelot 2011 Teesside University Chancellor Lord Sawyer Trade unionist and politician 2005 Middlesex University Chancellor Lord Sheppard of Didgemere Industrialist 2000 University of the Arts London Chairman of the Sir John Tusa Arts administrator, radio and TV journalist 2007 Newcastle University Chancellor Sir Liam Donaldson Former Chief Medical Officer 2009 Court of Governors University of Northampton Chancellor Baroness Falkner Politician 2008 University of Ulster Chancellor James Nesbitt Actor 2010 of Margravine University of Wales Chancellor HRH the Prince of Wales, Northumbria University Chancellor Lord Stevens Former head, Metropolitan Police 2005 Prince Charles Member of the Royal Family 1976 of Kirkwhelpington University of Wales Trinity Patron HRH the Prince of Wales, University of Nottingham Chancellor Yang Fujia Nuclear physicist 2001 Saint David Prince Charles Member of the Royal Family 2011 Nottingham Trent University Chancellor Sir Michael Parkinson Broadcaster 2008 University of Wales, Newport No chancellor The Open University Chancellor Lord Puttnam Film producer 2006 University of Warwick Chancellor Sir Richard Lambert Former director general, CBI 2008 University of Oxford Chancellor Lord Patten of Barnes Politician; last governor of British Hong Kong 2003 University of West London Chancellor Laurence Geller President and chief executive, Strategic Hotels and Resorts 2011 Oxford Brookes University Chancellor Shami Chakrabarti Director, Liberty 2008 University of the West of England Chancellor Sir Ian Carruthers Senior manager/administrator for the NHS 2011 Plymouth University No chancellor University of the West of Scotland Chancellor Lord Smith of Kelvin Businessman and former BBC governor 2003 University of Portsmouth Chancellor Sheila Hancock Actor 2007 University of Westminster Chancellor Lord Paul Business magnate, philanthropist and politician 2006 Queen Margaret University Chancellor Sir Tom Farmer Entrepreneur 2007 University of Winchester Chancellor Dame Mary Fagan Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire 2006 Queen’s University Belfast Chancellor Kamalesh Sharma Secretary general, Commonwealth of Nations 2009 University of Wolverhampton Chancellor Lord Paul Business magnate, philanthropist and politician 1998 University of Reading Chancellor Sir John Madejski Businessman 2007 University of Worcester Chancellor HRH the Duke of Gloucester, Member of the Royal Family 2008 Robert Gordon University Chancellor Sir Ian Wood Businessman 2004 Prince Richard University of Roehampton Chancellor John Simpson BBC world affairs editor 2005 University of York Chancellor Greg Dyke Media executive; former director general, BBC 2004 University of St Andrews Chancellor Sir Menzies Campbell Politician 2006 York St John University Chancellor Archbishop of York, University of St Andrews Rector Alistair Moffatt Writer and journalist; former director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011 John Sentamu Second most senior cleric in Church of England 2007 University of Salford Chancellor Irene Khan Former head, Amnesty International 2009 University of Sheffield Chancellor Sir Peter Middleton Businessman; former chairman of Camelot 1999 Note: No chancellor indicates institutions without such a post and also institutions where the post is vacant A

appointed varies from institution to institu - P The election ignited plenty of debate about tution. “The history of the university, the / S E

tion. At some universities, the senior manage - R what a chancellor was for. In her blog, Mary ideology, the philosophical stance on widening U

The graduates past are as much a T A

ment team, university councils or a mix of E Beard, professor of Classics at the University participation and social inclusion, which is F X E

part of the DNA of the place as the different university staff form a committee to R of Cambridge, said that Blessed was “the very much what I do for a living: there was so future. When I [an alumnu s] was choose their preferred candidate. Another students’ favourite, because they imagine that much about it that felt really right for me.” In method – used at institutions such as the the chancellor of Cambridge is like a Scottish particular, Byron admires the fact that Edge asked [to be president], it wasn’t universities of Oxford, Cambridge and university rector, a sort of student mascot”. Hill was the first non-denominational teacher something that was out of the blue Manchester – is for academics and/or gradu - Beard, who backed Sainsbury, was looking for training college, and so the first place women ates of the institution to elect the chancellor. something different: “Someone who might help could train to be teachers without the influ - and made no sense The universities of St Andrews, Edinburgh, in opening up the space for us to discuss widely ence and control of the church. She now wears Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee have rectors the role of the university and educational robes of heliotrope, green and gold, colours as well as chancellors, who are elected by the priorities with government, funding bodies thought to relate to the suffragette movement. students to represent them as chair of court. and the media – and who might help us get The idea of finding a university that is the Cambridge’s system led, in October, to the across our aims and policies better.” The peer, right personal fit resonates with many of the most high-profile battle for a chancellorship in who achieved 2,893 votes ahead of Blessed’s chancellors who spoke to Times Higher recent years. Lord Sainsbury of Turville, the 1,389, has promised to do just that: his mission Education about their role. Benjamin thinks former Labour science minister, was challenged statement declares that he will be “a passionate that for every chancellor, there is “a right by the actor Brian Blessed, a local shopkeeper champion for Cambridge at home and abroad university for you and your character”. Abdul Arain and the lawyer Michael Mansfield at a difficult time for universities”. One blogger, Despite being keen to take on the position in the first actively fought contest for the Cam- however, saw victory for the establishment of president of the Central School of Speech bridge chancellorship since the Earl of Powis figure as “proof that academics suffer from and Drama – the school’s version of a chancel - took on Prince Albert – and lost – in 1847. group-think and like to play it safe”. lor – the theatre director Michael Grandage says More than 160 years later, Blessed vowed to It is not always easy to persuade a busy that he thought long and hard about the offer. “sweat blood” to increase opportunities for less person to take on the role of chancellor. The In the end he decided to accept it because of his privileged students. He also wanted to inspire James Nesbitt psychologist and writer Tanya Byron turned personal connection to the school, where he had expeditions and promised to promote “adven- University of Ulster down several offers of a chancellorship before studied to be an actor. He sees his role as link - ture, adventure, adventure”. Arain, meanwhile, she agreed to assume the post at Edge Hill Uni- ing the school’s past to its present and future. campaigned as part of a protest against a versity in 2008, because she was too busy “with “The graduates past are as much a part of the Sainsbury’s store being opened near his corner Sir Trevor McDonald two kids and a life”. She says: “I never accepted DNA of the place as the future. When I was shop and said he would connect town and London South Bank University because I thought it was something that would asked [to be president], it wasn’t something gown in the city; and Mansfield said he would be great to do one day, but not now.” that was out of the blue and made no sense.” defend higher education from “market forces”. But she was won over by a visit to the insti - Naturally, many chancellors are graduates 40 Times Higher Education 1 December 2011 1 December 2011 Times Higher Education 41 036-043_THE_DEC0111.qxp:Layout 1 29/11/11 17:18 Page 41

WHO’S REPRESENTING? THE CEREMONIAL HEADS OF UK UNIVERSITIES

University Position Name Background In post since Shefﬁeld Hallam University Chancellor Lord Winston Professor of science and society, emeritus professor of fertility studies, 2001 Imperial College London; TV presenter and politician University of Southampton Chancellor Helen Alexander Businesswoman; deputy president, CBI 2011 Southampton Solent University Chancellor Lord West of Spithead Former First Sea Lord; former minister for security and counter-terrorism 2006 Staffordshire University No chancellor University of Stirling Chancellor James Naughtie Radio presenter 2008 University of Strathclyde Chancellor Lord Hope of Craighead Judge; deputy president of the Supreme Court of the UK 1998 University of Sunderland Chancellor Steve Cram Retired athlete; sports commentator 2008 University of Surrey Chancellor HRH the Duke of Kent, Member of the Royal Family 1977 Prince Edward University of Sussex Chancellor Sanjeev Bhaskar Comedian, writer, actor and broadcaster 2009 Swansea University Chancellor Rhodri Morgan Politician; former leader of Welsh Assembly 2011 Teesside University Chancellor Lord Sawyer Trade unionist and politician 2005 University of the Arts London Chairman of the Sir John Tusa Arts administrator, radio and TV journalist 2007 Court of Governors University of Ulster Chancellor James Nesbitt Actor 2010 University of Wales Chancellor HRH the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles Member of the Royal Family 1976 University of Wales Trinity Patron HRH the Prince of Wales, Saint David Prince Charles Member of the Royal Family 2011 University of Wales, Newport No chancellor University of Warwick Chancellor Sir Richard Lambert Former director general, CBI 2008 University of West London Chancellor Laurence Geller President and chief executive, Strategic Hotels and Resorts 2011 University of the West of England Chancellor Sir Ian Carruthers Senior manager/administrator for the NHS 2011 University of the West of Scotland Chancellor Lord Smith of Kelvin Businessman and former BBC governor 2003 University of Westminster Chancellor Lord Paul Business magnate, philanthropist and politician 2006 University of Winchester Chancellor Dame Mary Fagan Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire 2006 University of Wolverhampton Chancellor Lord Paul Business magnate, philanthropist and politician 1998 University of Worcester Chancellor HRH the Duke of Gloucester, Member of the Royal Family 2008 Prince Richard University of York Chancellor Greg Dyke Media executive; former director general, BBC 2004 York St John University Chancellor Archbishop of York, John Sentamu Second most senior cleric in Church of England 2007

Note: No chancellor indicates institutions without such a post and also institutions where the post is vacant A

P The election ignited plenty of debate about tution. “The history of the university, the / S E

R what a chancellor was for. In her blog, Mary ideology, the philosophical stance on widening U T A

E Beard, professor of Classics at the University participation and social inclusion, which is F X E

R of Cambridge, said that Blessed was “the very much what I do for a living: there was so students’ favourite, because they imagine that much about it that felt really right for me.” In the chancellor of Cambridge is like a Scottish particular, Byron admires the fact that Edge university rector, a sort of student mascot”. Hill was the first non-denominational teacher Beard, who backed Sainsbury, was looking for training college, and so the first place women something different: “Someone who might help could train to be teachers without the influ - in opening up the space for us to discuss widely ence and control of the church. She now wears the role of the university and educational robes of heliotrope, green and gold, colours priorities with government, funding bodies thought to relate to the suffragette movement. and the media – and who might help us get The idea of finding a university that is the across our aims and policies better.” The peer, right personal fit resonates with many of the who achieved 2,893 votes ahead of Blessed’s chancellors who spoke to Times Higher 1,389, has promised to do just that: his mission Education about their role. Benjamin thinks statement declares that he will be “a passionate that for every chancellor, there is “a right champion for Cambridge at home and abroad university for you and your character”. at a difficult time for universities”. One blogger, Despite being keen to take on the position however, saw victory for the establishment of president of the Central School of Speech figure as “proof that academics suffer from and Drama – the school’s version of a chancel - group-think and like to play it safe”. lor – the theatre director Michael Grandage says It is not always easy to persuade a busy that he thought long and hard about the offer. person to take on the role of chancellor. The In the end he decided to accept it because of his James Nesbitt psychologist and writer Tanya Byron turned personal connection to the school, where he had University of Ulster down several offers of a chancellorship before studied to be an actor. He sees his role as link - she agreed to assume the post at Edge Hill Uni- ing the school’s past to its present and future. versity in 2008, because she was too busy “with “The graduates past are as much a part of the two kids and a life”. She says: “I never accepted DNA of the place as the future. When I was because I thought it was something that would asked [to be president], it wasn’t something be great to do one day, but not now.” that was out of the blue and made no sense.” But she was won over by a visit to the insti - Naturally, many chancellors are graduates 1 December 2011 Times Higher Education 41