The University of Nottingham is delighted to announce Sir Andrew Witty has been appointed as its seventh Chancellor.
Sir Andrew, Chief Executive Officer of GlaxoSmithKline and a Nottingham alumnus, will take up the post on January 1st 2013.
He will succeed the current Chancellor, distinguished Chinese physicist Professor Yang Fujia, who has served in the role since his appointment in 2000.
Professor Yang played a fundamental role in the University’s development over the last 12 years, particularly in its increasing engagement with China.
Continuation of excellence
Professor David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Nottingham, said: “Professor Yang has provided outstanding assistance and guidance as our Chancellor, and the University’s position in global higher education owes much to his exceptional contribution.
“As our incoming Chancellor, Sir Andrew will provide a continuation of this excellence and bring new perspectives to the leadership of our University.
“His achievements as one of the UK’s most respected and inspiring business leaders have been a source of pride to us. I am genuinely excited by the prospect of working with him in his new role and see the University going from strength to strength given his vision and commitment.”
Nottingham alumnus
Sir Andrew graduated from The University of Nottingham
in 1985 with a joint honours BA in Economics. He joined Glaxo in the same year, holding a variety of roles in the UK, South Africa, the USA and Singapore before being appointed President of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Europe in 2003.
He became Chief Executive Officer of GSK in 2008 and was knighted for services to the economy and to the UK pharmaceutical industry in the 2012 New Year Honours.
Sir Andrew said: “I am honoured to accept this position. I greatly enjoyed my time at Nottingham and it was pivotal to my choice of career. The University is a world-leader in both teaching and research, and has a long tradition of raising aspirations and supporting achievement.
“Importantly, in a time of rapid change and challenges in higher education, it is pioneering initiatives in many areas, including in biosciences and sustainability and is deepening its relationships here in the UK and internationally. I am looking forward to contributing to this great institution.”
Four-year term
Sir Andrew’s appointment as Nottingham’s seventh Chancellor was approved by the University Council, the institution’s governing body, on October 23rd, 2012. The term of office is four years, a period which can be renewed subject to Council approval.
The Chancellor has a number of key roles including ceremonial duties — playing a formal part in graduation ceremonies — and acting as an ambassador and advocate of the University in the UK and around the world. He also acts as a key adviser on matters of major strategic importance to the development of the University. It is an unremunerated role.
John Mills, President of the University Council, said: “Sir Andrew’s appointment supports the further development of both our strong research and business links and reputation as the UK’s truly global university. As an alumnus he signals the strength of our graduates and brings knowledge and networks to help achieve our strategic aims.”
