The University of Leicester has announced that former Universities and Science Minister David Willetts, who is an honorary graduate of the University and delivered the inaugural Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture, is to be installed as the new Chancellor of the University.
The Rt Hon. the Lord Willetts will succeed The Rt Hon. Lord (Bruce) Grocott as the University’s seventh Chancellor in July. He will serve as Chancellor Elect until his installation as Chancellor at the summer degree congregations.
The decision was announced today (9 February) following a meeting of the University Court which comprises academic and lay members. These include representatives from outside the University representing a cross section of organisations and individuals who have a close interest in the workings of the University.
Welcoming the announcement, Dr Bridget Towle, Chair of the University Council, said: “We welcome the appointment of Lord Willetts as the University’s new Chancellor. His knowledge of the sector and policy landscape is of vital importance.
“He is incredibly positive about the role that universities can play in our modern society and is a strong advocate for the sector. He also brings his strong political experience to the role.”
President and Vice-Chancellor of the University Professor Paul Boyle added: “We are delighted that David has accepted the role of Chancellor. He brings a wealth of experience in higher education, as well as public and political life, which will be enormously beneficial to the University.
“He has also been a supporter of the University- he opened a hi-tech space research facility in our Department of Physics and Astronomy in 2011, he has been full of praise for our discovery of Richard III and he delivered the first Distinguished Chancellor’s Lecture in 2015 on The Future of the UK Science Innovation System.
“David has a long history of supporting the UK science economy, with his distinguished Parliamentary career seeing him serving as first the Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills and then as part of the Coalition Government’s cabinet as minister for Universities and Science.”
Speaking of his appointment as Chancellor, Lord Willetts said:
“I am delighted and honoured to become the Chancellor of the University of Leicester. I remember my first visit years ago when I met the great Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys and was briefed on genetic fingerprinting, he said.
“Since then I have visited a range of disciplines from the history of art to Leicester’s path-breaking work on space technologies. Throughout I have been impressed by the friendly atmosphere of the University and the purposeful approach of academic staff and students. I look forward to a close association with this marvellous University for years to come.”
