University appointing to Chancellor’s role

Our University is looking for a new Chancellor to replace Lord Waldegrave of North Hill, who is completing his term this year.

The new Chancellor will be appointed for a period of five years, which may, exceptionally, be renewed for no more than a further five years by the Council.

The role of a Chancellor is ceremonial and they preside at the meetings of the Court. They also help in raising the profile of our University and are an important ambassador for our institution and our people.

As the University approaches its centenary year in 2026, the new Chancellor will be involved in presiding over some of the events to mark the occasion.

It is expected that the appointment will be made by the Council of the University at its meeting in March 2022.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with commitment to the importance of higher education, who shares the University of Reading values and is passionate about or has knowledge of at least one area of particular importance to us – which could be education, climate change, local community, mental wellbeing or social mobility.

A more detailed job description can be accessed using this link. If on reading the job description you have any comments, please share them with Richard Messer, the secretary to the Council (r.j.messer@reading.ac.uk), by Monday 18 October, so that they can be fed into the next meeting of a  group, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, established by the Council to oversee the process of appointment.

The Chancellor will preside over at least three degree ceremonies per year, and will use their graduation speech to draw on their experience and values to inspire the graduates present.

They will also present the Chancellor’s awards to the students with the best assessment results each year, and will use that occasion to get to know some of those students and will give a speech to inspire those present.

The Chancellor will preside over a number of engagements with Reading alumni each year, in the UK and internationally, and will help make meaningful connections between them and the University.

The Chancellor will also preside over the annual meeting of the Court, which is open mainly to selected staff, students and members of the local community, and will use that opportunity to help promote the values and achievements of the University.