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