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University of Gloucestershire appoints new Chair of Council

Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, Professor Julian Crampton CBE DL, has been appointed as the new Chair of Council at the University of Gloucestershire.

Professor Crampton, who will take up his new appointment on January 1 2016, is Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Brighton, where he was Vice-Chancellor from 2005 to 2015. His research is in molecular biology and biotechnology with a particular interest in tropical diseases and human genetic diseases.

Professor Crampton was a founder of the Liverpool Science Park, the National Biomanufacturing Centre at Speke, the Liverpool Biotechnology Incubator (MerseyBIO), and Liverpool Ventures – a £25m proof-of-concept fund to support new businesses.

He is currently Board Chair of East Sussex Energy, Infrastructure and Development Ltd, Chairman of MDHub (a ‘Club’ for the 100 highest growth SMEs in Brighton), and Chair of the Royal Pavilion and Museums Foundation. He is a Deputy Lieutenant for East Sussex and was made CBE in the Queen’s birthday honours in 2015.

Speaking about his new appointment he said: “I am delighted to be joining the University of Gloucestershire as Chair of Council. These are challenging, but exciting, times in higher education, with lots of opportunities for the University to develop its activities for the benefit of students, staff and the whole community. I look forward to working with colleagues on the University’s Council and staff to help the University achieve its ambitious strategy.”

With 18 members, the Council is the University’s governing body. Its responsibilities include determining the University’s educational character and mission, approval of the annual budget, and the appointment of senior staff.

Stephen Marston, Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Professor Crampton to this vital leadership role at the University. He is a distinguished academic with a wealth of experience in higher education during a key period of change for the sector. We are looking forward to the valuable contribution he can make to our vision for continued growth at the University of Gloucestershire.”