Professor Gordon Marshall announces intention to step down as University Vice-Chancellor this autumn
Release Date 30 March 2011
After almost nine years at the helm of the University of Reading, which has seen the University cement its position as one of the world's top ranked universities¹, Vice-Chancellor Professor Gordon Marshall is to leave the University to take up the post of Director of the Leverhulme Trust.
Under the leadership of Professor Marshall, the University has built up its research power and profile through a concerted focus on research excellence in areas such as climate change, health and food security. In business education, the University's successful 2008 merger with Henley Management College has created a triple-accredited, world-leading business school.
During his tenure, Professor Marshall has also overseen a period of huge investment in the University's estate to create facilities equal to its academic reputation. A £380 million capital programme has included the development of new halls of residence, catering and academic buildings. The main Whiteknights campus Development Plan nears completion this year with the opening of the new Minghella Building for film, theatre and TV and a new Enterprise Centre. The University has also invested over £3million in the Greenlands campus of the Henley Business School and is currently completing the conservation of its historic London Road campus as the new home of the Institute of Education.
Professor Marshall introduced philanthropic fundraising to the University, which to date has raised over £25million, helping to fund research in areas of societal benefit and adding value to the student experience.
Mr Christopher Fisher, President of Council of the University of Reading, said: "On behalf of the University of Reading, I would like to record our enormous gratitude to Gordon Marshall for his energy, leadership and integrity over the past nine years and to wish him well for the future.
"At a time of considerable change for the higher education sector, with a new funding model for universities, a concentration of research funding and an increasingly global approach to teaching and research, Professor Marshall has helped forge a University with an assured future. Our research outputs do credit to the UK HE sector, our current students consistently rate us highly², and there is strong demand from prospective students to study on our programmes.
"Gordon will leave a University that is making a major contribution to the knowledge, health and well-being of the UK and significant parts of the wider world. The process to find a successor of equal calibre is already under way³. He or she will have a lot to live up to."
Professor Marshall will be leaving the University at the end of September 2011.
ENDS
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¹ QS World University Ranking 2010: University of Reading is ranked 185th
²National Student Survey 2010: University scored an 88% satisfaction rating for its students.
³The President of the Council of the University of Reading has instructed the University Secretary to establish a Committee of Selection for the Office of Vice-Chancellor.