‘Beyond Ceremony’

“I was wrong about everything except the chicken dinners. Life as a University Chancellor is much more than just varied and interesting. It’s amazing.”
Bill Bryson (Durham University)

As Freshers’ Weeks get underway at universities across the country, Universities UK is launching 'Beyond Ceremony', a unique publication which lifts the lid on the ancient office of a university Chancellor. As many students start their university life, this booklet gives an insight into what the University Chancellor does and how the role complements that of the Vice-Chancellor.

Beyond Ceremony profiles many well-known Chancellors, all of whom have their own special insights into the position. Among the wide-range of contributors is the best-selling American writer and satirist, Bill Bryson (Durham University); founder of Cobra Beer and business leader, Lord Bilimoria (Thames Valley University); former Governor of Hong Kong and EU Commissioner, Lord Patten (University of Oxford and Newcastle University); Jon Snow newsreader, journalist and presenter (Oxford Brookes University); film, television and stage actor, Patrick Stewart (University of Huddersfield) and Sir Robert Worcester, Founder, MORI (University of Kent).

This publication provides a colourful insight into their roles, and presents the prestigious history of the position, counting as it does, Oliver Cromwell and Winston Churchill amongst its former post-holders. Lacking a formal job description, the role of Chancellor gives those appointed the scope to apply their own experience, often gained from a lifetime in business, politics and the public eye.  The publication itself came from a suggestion made at Universities UK’s annual meeting of Chancellors where those new to the position suggested it would be useful to hear ‘tips’ from old hands!

HRH Princess Anne, herself Chancellor of the University of London, provided the foreword for this booklet, saying that, despite her 27 years as Chancellor,  “... it is a continuous learning process and every visit is an encouraging demonstration of our investment in people”.

“Chancellors, and incidentally those who chair university councils, are among the unsung heroes of higher education, giving freely of their time and considerable expertise,” said Professor Rick Trainor, President, Universities UK.

With amusing and informative ‘tips’, this publication is designed to be a helpful and entertaining read for all, providing glimpses into the varying ways Chancellors approach their tasks. Chancellors often juggle ‘day jobs’ at the forefront of many varied industries, but it is clear they are hugely dedicated to the role, using their unique expertise and influence to promote their university and take the post far beyond ceremony.                                                                    
ENDS
Notes

1. The publication, entitled 'Beyond Ceremony: On Being a Chancellor…', is available from the Universities UK bookshop at: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/Publications/Bookshop/Documents/Beyond_Ceremony.pdf
2. This booklet profiles 33 Chancellors representing 35 institutions across the whole of the university sector.  There are 101 Chancellors in all; with some (such as HRH Princess Anne, Lord Patten and Lord Paul) representing more than one university.
3. Some Chancellors featured in this booklet have already indicated their willingness to be interviewed about their role as Chancellor, provided their working timetables permit it. Please credit Universities UK in all copy or broadcasts.
   These include:

Bill Bryson, writer, and Chancellor of Durham University.
Contact: michael.lavery@durham.ac.uk Direct Line: 0191 334 6302

Sir Robert Worcester, Founder, MORI and Chancellor of the University of Kent.  Contact: Kerry Colville: 020 7347 3066, Kerry.Colville@Ipsos-MORI.com
Contact: Sir Robert Worcester: 07974 812 723, rmworcester@yahoo.com

The Duke of Westminster, Chairman of the Grosvenor Estate and Chancellor of University of Chester. Contact Jayne Dodgson. Direct Line: 01244 511450

Lady Virginia Bottomley, Odgers, Ray and Berndtson and Chancellor, University of Hull Contact: Iain.Stewart@odgers.com Direct Line: 020 7529 3078

Jon Snow, newsreader and journalist, Chancellor, Oxford Brookes University,
Direct Line: 0207 430 4237 (work)

Patrick Stewart, actor, and Chancellor, University of Huddersfield; Contact Jenny Grainger J.C.Grainger@hud.ac.uk Direct Line: 01484 472982

Sir Martin Harris, Director, Office of Fair Access and Chancellor, University of Salford, Contact David Barrett: 0117 931 7171

Floella Benjamin: Television presenter and Chancellor of the University of Exeter. Contact Stuart Franklin: S.DFranklin@exeter.ac.uk Direct Line: 01392 263 146

Professor Sir David Weatherall: Founder of the Oxford Institute of Immunology and Chancellor of Keele University: Contact: liz.rose@imm.ox.ac.uk
Direct Line: 01865 222 398

4.             Please note - Lady Hale, Lady Prashar and Diana Rigg have all declined interviews.

5.             Universities UK is the major representative body and membership organisation for the higher education sector. It represents the UK's universities and some higher education colleges. Its 132 members http://www.UniversitiesUK.ac.uk/members/ are the executive heads of these institutions. Universities UK works closely with policy makers and key education stakeholders to advance the interests of universities and to spread good practice throughout the higher education sector. Founded in 1918 and formerly known as the Committee for Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP), Universities UK is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2008.

6.             Chancellors featured in Beyond Ceremony:

• Baroness Prashar of Runnymede CBE (Chancellor now is The Lord Alli) De Montfort University
  
  

• Dr Floella Benjamin OBE  University of Exeter

• Sir Robin Biggam University of Bedfordshire
• Lord Bilimoria CBE, DL Thames Valley University
• The Rt. Hon. Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone The University of Hull
  
  
• Mr Bill Bryson OBE  Durham University
• Professor Sir Kenneth Calman University of Glasgow
• The Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell QC, CBE, MP University of St Andrews
  
• Jon Snow (Chancellor now is Shami Chakrabarti CBE) Oxford Brookes University
  
• The Baroness Cox  Liverpool Hope University
  
  
• The Rt. Hon. Baroness Hale of Richmond University of Bristol
• Sir Martin Harris CBE, DL  University of Salford
  
  
• The Rt Hon Lord Holme of Cheltenham PC CBE (Chancellor now is Lord Hart of Chilton) University of Greenwich
  
  
• The Rt. Hon. The Lord Hope of Craighead University of Strathclyde
  
  
• Sir Martin Jacomb The University of Buckingham
• Senator George Mitchell Queen's University Belfast
  
  
• Lord Morris of Handsworth OJ Staffordshire University
• The Rt. Hon. The Lord Morris of Aberavon University of Glamorgan
• Sir Richard Nichols  University of Ulster
• Dame Diana Rigg DBE (Chancellor now is James Naughtie) University of Stirling
  
  
• The Duke of Westminster OBE TD DL University of Chester
  
  
• The Rt Hon Lord Patten CH PC University of Oxford
  
  
• The Lord Paul of Marylebone University of Wolverhampton
  
  
• Lord Phillips of Sudbury OBE University of Essex
  
  
• The Lord Rix Kt CBE DL University of East London
  
  
• Lord Sheppard of Didgemere KCVO KT  Middlesex University
  
  
• Mr John Simpson CBE Roehampton University
• The Lord Stevenson Of Coddenham CBE     University of the Arts London
• Mr Patrick Stewart OBE  University of Huddersfield
• The Rt Hon the Lord Wakeham DL  Brunel University
• Professor Sir David Weatherall DL  Keele University
• Sir Ian Wood  The Robert Gordon University
• Sir Robert Worcester KBE, DL University of Kent

7.             For a full list of all the UK's 101 university chancellors, contact the Universities UK press office.