University appoints education and skills expert as its new Chair of Council
The University of Bradford has announced Eileen Milner as its new Chair of Council, its governing body, with responsibility for ensuring delivery of the University’s mission and strategy through an effective framework of governance and management.
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Eileen is the former chief executive and accounting officer of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) - where she was responsible for a budget of some £63bn - supporting the education and skills landscape in England. She has recently announced that she is standing down from her current position at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and will now focus on a small number of non-executive roles about which she cares about passionately.
On the announcement Eileen Milner said: “I am honoured to have been appointed by the university of Bradford as its Chair of Council. I was attracted to the role because I care deeply about education and its power to develop the knowledge and skills people need to succeed in life and to contribute to society. The University of Braford is truly committed to social inclusion, social mobility and making a positive impact locally and globally through its research and knowledge transfer partnerships.
“My thanks and congratulations go to Baroness Ann Taylor for all she achieved during her seven years as Chair. I am looking forward to working with the Vice-Chancellor and her team to support the ongoing delivery of the University’s important mission.”
Current Chair of Council, Baroness Ann Taylor will leave the University of Bradford in July, before Eileen Milner takes up the role on 1 August.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shirley Congdon added: “Following a national search we are delighted to have appointed Eileen Milner as our new Chair of Council. This is an important position in our University structure so it was vital we found someone with the breadth of knowledge and experience required. Eileen brings with her an impressive record of success in education and skills and her values led approach and commitment to social inclusion chime with our own.
“I am deeply grateful to our outgoing Chair Baroness Ann Taylor, who has helped steer us through some turbulent times during the last seven years. I am confident that Eileen is a worthy successor and I look forward to working with her on delivering the objectives we have set out in our University Strategy.”
The appointing panel was unanimous in its choice of Eileen as Chair. The decision followed a national search and rigorous selection procedure which involved a stakeholder panel of students led by the Students’ Union’s Education Officer.