Nominations open for the appointment of a new University Chancellor

How can you get involved in choosing our next Chancellor? 

University staff, students, alumni and the local community can nominate using this online form. The closing date for nominations will be Sunday 16 May. Please consider the following criteria when nominating: 
 
Key Responsibilities  
 
The Chancellor’s key responsibilities are:  
 
• To preside over the University’s graduation ceremonies.  
• To help the University to promote its achievements and to enhance its profile regionally, nationally and internationally. 
• To support the strategic priorities of the University by working with University Council and the Executive Team to enhance our reputation, reach and influence with key stakeholders.  
• To host/participate in a number of the University’s activities, including but not limited to, school and student celebrations, philanthropy, alumni relations, as well as industry and academic partnership events.  
 
Person Specification for the Chancellor 
 
Nominated individuals should possess the following characteristics: 

• Share the University’s values and mission and, in particular, recognise the importance of higher education, learning and research. 
• A demonstrable commitment to social mobility, equality, diversity, inclusivity and widening opportunities for all in society. 
• Be a highly respected individual, with a positive public profile that resonates with students, staff and alumni.  
• Have demonstrated excellence in his/her field of endeavour and command the respect of the University’s communities  
• Have strong public speaking skills, capable of inspiring a diverse range of audiences.  
• A national, and where appropriate global, profile and industry / civic leadership connections  
• A willingness to actively support the University in its philanthropic, alumni relations and industry partnerships activities.  

This role description is not, and is not intended to be, an exhaustive description of the responsibilities involved. Dependent on their availability, location and skillset, the Chancellor may be asked to take on specific duties and responsibilities relevant to the role.  

The Chancellor is appointed to this role by the University’s Council and serves for a term of four years which is renewable, up to a maximum total of eight years. The role of Chancellor is honorary and unremunerated.  

There are four stages to the selection process: 

• The establishment of a Search Committee to seek and prioritise nominations from the University community and stakeholders and to carry out an appropriate process of due diligence on a shortlist of candidates.  

• Nominations open for the university community to put forward the names of individuals who meet the person specification to be the next Chancellor.  

• The search committee will review the nominations received and make recommendations to be considered by a Special Joint Committee of the Council and the Senate. 

•  The Special Joint Committee will then recommend a preferred candidate to University Council for formal appointment.  

Search Committee  

The membership for the Search Committee is:  

Lord Keith Bradley (Chair of Council) 
Sean O’Hara (Deputy Chair of Council)  
Professor Helen Marshall (Vice-Chancellor)  
John McCarthy (Executive Director of Marketing, Recruitment and External Relations)  
Janet Lloyd (Interim University Secretary) 
Temi Adebayo (University of Salford Students’ Union President)  
Clare Woodcraft-Scott (external advisor, Executive Director Centre for Strategic Philanthropy - Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge) 
 

The search committee will be supported in its work by Andrew Snowden, Associate Director of External Relations and the Alumni, Engagement & Development Team 

Our University Chancellors to date 

HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1967–1991)  
Sarah, Duchess of York (1991–1995)  
Sir Walter Bodmer (1995–2005)  
Sir Martin Harris (2005–2009) 
Irene Zubaida Khan (2009–2014)  
Professor Jackie Kay CBE (2014–present)