Professor Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton has been appointed Chair of Advance HE’s Board.
Alison Johns, Chief Executive of Advance HE, said, “I am delighted that Professor Mark Smith is to become Chair of our Board. Mark is a highly experienced and well-respected leader in our sector. He has an outstanding academic record.
“As we embark on the development of our new strategy to 2030, he will lead the Board’s guidance and critical inquiry of our plans, influencing and shaping our work with our members and the sector in the coming years. Our Executive leadership team looks forward to welcoming Mark to Advance HE and working with him, alongside the rest of the Board. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Helen Langton who has been interim Chair since the retirement in the summer of Professor Stephen Marston.”
Professor Smith said, “It’s a great privilege to be appointed Chair of Advance HE’s Board. Over the past five years, Advance HE has firmly established itself as a key contributor to the sector’s success.
“Advance HE plays a vital role as a convenor and in the development of people in our sector. It offers value through insights that evidence change; it initiates and shares good practice in leadership, in governance and in teaching & learning; and it supports the efforts to recognise all the talent in our institutions so everyone has the opportunity to benefit and excel in higher education, whether as a student or as a member of staff.
“Advance HE is now looking at an exciting period of growth, particularly internationally, and I’m very much looking forward to contributing to this development.”
Professor Smith takes up his role on 2 January 2024.