Bradford Vice-Chancellor appointed Yorkshire Universities Chair

Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, has been appointed as the new Chair of Yorkshire Universities (YU).

Professor Congdon will take over from Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, whose term of office ends on 31 July 2020. Professor Congdon will be the first woman to take up the role.

YU's core mission is to strengthen the contribution Yorkshire's universities make to the region. Professor Congdon’s responsibilities as YU Chair will include steering the organisation’s relationships with national and local government, devolved institutions, business, further education colleges and public sector partners, such as those in the health and care sector.

Professor Congdon said: “I am delighted to take up the role as Chair of Yorkshire Universities. Universities in the region have stepped up magnificently in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and they will be vital in the recovery and rebuilding effort through research and innovation, knowledge exchange, skills and the nurturing of talent, and in their role as civic anchor institutions in the towns and cities of Yorkshire. Our focus, as a partnership, on tackling inequalities and creating new opportunities for people, businesses and communities in the region to prosper and fulfil their potential is central to the government’s levelling up agenda”.

Welcoming Professor Congdon to her new role, Dr Peter O’Brien, Executive Director of Yorkshire Universities, said: “I look forward to working with Shirley over the next two years. Our universities in Yorkshire are real assets and it is by working collaboratively within and across higher education, and with national and local partners, that we can achieve so much more for the region. I would like to thank Sir Chris for his many contributions as Chair of the YU Board at a time of significant change and challenge.”