PVC Mark Fellowes to leave the University

Professor Mark Fellowes, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Planning & Resource), is to leave the University to take up a new role at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Mark has spent the past 23 years at Reading, including 7 years as Head of the School of Biological Sciences and 5 as Pro-Vice-Chancellor. He will leave the University on 31 August 2023.

Mark has been appointed as Senior Vice Principal for Academic Strategy, Planning & Resources at Royal Holloway.

Mark said: “Leaving Reading has been a very difficult decision, but I felt this the right time for me and my career to move to a different institution.

“I am grateful to have worked with such talented and generous colleagues and I feel pride in what we have achieved in exceptionally difficult times. I will always remember how good Reading has been to me.”

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Mark was responsible for line managing and supporting the Heads of School, and the Heads of Marketing, Communication & Engagement and Global Recruitment & Admissions, and for co-Chairing the annual planning process.

He chaired the University’s Environmental Sustainability Committee and oversaw the Strategic Foundations Programme, which is modernising work and study arrangements across the University.

Mark joined Reading as a lecturer in Zoology in 2000 before progressing to Head of School. His research focused on the impacts of human behaviour on wildlife, particularly in urban ecosystems.

Vice-Chancellor Robert Van de Noort said: “Mark’s work overseeing the Strategic Foundations Programme has been a critical step in setting the strategic direction of our University.

“As well as this financial sustainability work, Mark has led our institutional work on environmental sustainability. His passion for the natural world has always shone through during work to reduce the University’s carbon emissions and become one of the greenest universities in the UK.

“I want to thank Mark for his immense contribution to Reading over more than two decades and we all wish him the very best of luck in his future career.”

Interim UEB arrangements

Following Mark’s departure, Dominik Zaum will take acting responsibility as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Planning & Resource) for a period of 6 months.

His current job-share partner, Parveen Yaqoob, will take on full responsibility as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation).

Marketing, Communication & Engagement and Global Recruitment & Admissions will be line managed by incoming Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), Caroline Baylon

At its meeting in September, Council will determine how the functions of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Planning & Resource) can be best fulfilled on a permanent basis.