A new Chancellor for the
University of York
The University of York is seeking nominations for its next Chancellor, in succession to Professor Sir Malcolm Grant CBE LLD FAcSS whose term of office comes to an end in July 2022.
We are therefore embarking on a search mission to identify our seventh Chancellor.
Nominations are welcome from across the University community, including students, staff, alumni, and other key partners of the University.
Our Chancellors, past and present
The successful candidate will be the University’s seventh Chancellor since its foundation. Find out more about our University Chancellors to date.
- George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood (1962 - 1967)
- Lord Kenneth Clark (1967 - 1978)
- Lord Michael Swann (1979 - 1990)
- Dame Janet Baker (1991 - 2004)
- Greg Dyke (2004 - 2015)
- Sir Malcolm Grant (2015 - 2022)
We have been incredibly fortunate to have had a roster of highly talented individuals who have served as our Chancellor since the University’s inception in 1963.
Our fortune is certainly evidenced by Sir Malcolm’s time as Chancellor. He has made an enormous contribution to the life and work of our global community, offering insight and guidance based on a long and distinguished career in higher education and healthcare provision. He has played an integral role in shaping our engagement with our alumni community and was instrumental in the launch and success of our institutional philanthropy campaign, York Unlimited, which is on track to meet its overall fundraising goal of generating £120m by 2023.
Sir Malcolm has also been a key figure in one the most important milestones for our students - presiding with grace, wisdom and humour at multiple graduation ceremonies including, most recently, our virtual graduation ceremonies. As our Chair of Court, he has engaged with many staff and students as well as hosting events and representing the University at a wide range of events here in York, in London, and much further afield.
Most importantly, Malcolm has exemplified our commitment to public good and social purpose through his lifetime of public service. Values that we espouse as a university - our commitment to providing a York education to all who can benefit from it, our focus on ensuring that we are an inclusive and diverse community through partnerships with global foundations such as Ashinaga, and support for key organisations such as CARA (the academic refugee support network) - have all been aided by Malcolm’s support and vision. There will be many occasions to thank Malcolm for his extensive contributions to York in the coming academic year.
The role of the Chancellor
The Chancellor is the ceremonial and honorary figurehead of the University of York and plays an important ambassadorial role for York as a University for the public good.
The Chancellor acts as a champion and advocate for the University of York as a community of shared purpose - regionally, nationally and globally.
Key responsibilities:
- To preside and confer degrees at the University’s graduation ceremonies
- To chair the annual and other meetings of University Court
- To promote the University, its achievements and interests regionally, nationally and globally
- To convene, participate in or facilitate public engagements with a whole range of stakeholders in relation to the work of the University, including alumni relations, fundraising and development activities
- To collaborate with other senior officers and colleagues in furthering the vision and strategy of the University.
What we are looking for in a Chancellor
Nominated individuals should possess the following characteristics:
- Share the University’s vision, values and excellence and, in particular, recognise the importance of higher education, learning and research.
- Have a demonstrable commitment to social mobility, equality, diversity, inclusivity and widening opportunities for all in society.
- Be a highly respected individual, with a positive public profile that resonates with students, staff and alumni.
- Have demonstrated excellence in their field of endeavour and command the respect of the University’s communities.
- Have strong public speaking skills, capable of inspiring a diverse range of audiences.
- Be a national, and where appropriate global, profile and industry/civic leadership connections.
- Be willing to actively support the University in its philanthropic, alumni relations, and industry partnership activities.
Governance and nomination arrangements
The Chancellor Search Committee reports into the Nominations Committee of the University Council. As well as lay members of Council, the Committee includes a range of staff and student representatives. We anticipate that a final recommendation on the preferred candidate will be made by the University Council to the University Court in May 2022.
Making a nomination
The Search Committee encourages the nomination of candidates from all walks of life, with a broad range of skills, experience and backgrounds.
Nominations will open on Wednesday 6 October 2021, and will close on Friday 3 December 2021. All submissions will be treated in confidence.
Put forward your nominations for the University of York's next Chancellor by completing the nomination form and submitting it to chancellor-search@york.ac.uk.
Further information
The term of office for the position is five years, subject to renewal up to a maximum of ten years. The post is unremunerated and not subject to any other benefits, but reasonable expenses and subsistence associated with the role will be paid.
The Chancellor does not hold any other office within the University, and therefore the successful candidate will have no actual or perceived conflict of interest relating to the work of the University. Current members of staff or students of the University, or serving politicians, are not likely to be considered for the role of Chancellor.
Key dates
- Nominations open: Wednesday 6 October 2021
- Closing date for nominations: Friday 3 December 2021
- Search Committee carry out due diligence, longlisting and shortlisting: December 2021 - March 2022
- Nominations Committee and Council: March - May 2022
- Court Approval of proposed candidate: May 2022
Our new University Chancellor will be inaugurated at an official ceremony later in 2022.
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