University of Manchester chooses first woman vice-chancellor

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Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, University of Manchester's new president and vice-chancellor

11:12 am, June 21, 2010
University of Manchester chooses first woman vice-chancellor

The University of Manchester has chosen Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell to succeed Alan Gilbert as president and vice-chancellor. She will be the first woman to hold the top job.

She has been deputy president and deputy vice-chancellor since 2007 and has been on the university staff since 1987.

The internal promotion follows an international search which the university said produced “an impressive shortlist of candidates”.

A life scientist, Dame Nancy was born in Tarleton, near Preston, and educated at Penwortham Girls' Grammar School before studying physiology to PhD level at the University of London.

She will take up her post on July 1, succeeding Prof Gilbert, who is retiring after six years. He was the inaugural president and vice-chancellor of The University of Manchester, which was established following the merger of the Victoria University of Manchester and UMIST.

She said: “I am honoured and delighted to be invited to lead the University at this exciting time. I am determined to maintain the strategic focus that we have developed over the past six years and to work closely with colleagues to identify new priorities and opportunities for the University in the very challenging external environment that we will face over the next few years.”

Chairman of the appointment panel and chairman-elect of the University's Board of Governors Mr Anil Ruia said: “Dame Nancy will bring her own distinctive strengths, perspective and style to the role of President and Vice-Chancellor which will enable the University to build upon the remarkable progress that we have made under Professor Alan Gilbert's leadership”.

Dame Nancy, a non-executive director of AstraZeneca Plc, (LSE: AZN) has served as president of the British Neuroscience Association and is on the board of the Medical Research Council, the Academy of Medical Sciences and Cancer Research UK.

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