Plymouth University announces new vice chancellor

Today, following formal approval of the University’s Governing body, Plymouth University announced the appointment of its next Vice-Chancellor, Professor Judith Petts, CBE, who will succeed Professor David Coslett when she takes up the role in February 2016.

James Brent, Chairman of the University’s Board of Governors said: “I am delighted that Professor Petts, who has a significant track record in academic leadership, has been appointed as our next Vice-Chancellor. This has been a rigorous and thorough appointment process which has understandably attracted highly accomplished candidates from a strong international field. We have ensured that the appointment decision has been informed by the views of staff, students and external stakeholders and I would like to acknowledge all those that have played a role throughout. I would also like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to Professor David Coslett, who has led the University expertly and his leadership and the work of the executive team ensures that Professor Petts has a significantly strong base from which to take us forward.”

Professor David Coslett added: “Plymouth is an exceptional University based in a truly great city. I am fiercely proud of the achievements of our staff and students who represent what is the best of the UK’s high quality, modern universities. I know that Professor Petts will build on our many and significant strengths.”

Professor Judith Petts said: “It is clear that Plymouth University has great scope for advancement.  The University is a driving force within the regional economic and cultural landscape and is recognised globally for areas of genuine research excellence. This is a high quality institution and I am honoured and excited to have the opportunity to work with colleagues to shape its future and to build upon its success.”

Professor Judith Petts is currently Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise, at the University of Southampton. She holds a BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Exeter and a PhD from Loughborough University. Professor Petts began her career in the retail and banking sectors before returning to academia. She held various academic roles in the universities of Nottingham and then Loughborough, becoming Director of the Centre for Hazard and Risk Management.

She moved to a Chair at the University of Birmingham in 1999, becoming Deputy Director of the Centre for Environmental Research and Training and then Head of the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences from 2001 to 2007. She was then promoted to Pro-Vice-Chancellor. She moved to the University of Southampton in 2010, as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences and assumed her current role in 2014. She is currently a member of DEFRA’s Science Advisory Council, of the Council of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and chairs the DEFRA/DECC Social Science Expert Panel and the BIS Sciencewise Steering Group. Previously, she has been a member of the Council of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. She was awarded a CBE for services to scientific research in 2012.