Professor Jane Harrington was elected to the UUK UK Board as Policy Lead for Student Experience, Education and Skills on 1 August 2025, having served on the Board since 2023. Professor Harrington is a member of the UUK Governance and Nominations Committee.
Professor Harrington is Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed London and South- East University Group (LASE) following the merger of the University of Greenwich and University of Kent. She previously held the post of Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Greenwich. In recognition of her leadership during the University of Greenwich and Kent merger, the Times Higher Education named her Change‑Maker of the Year 2025.
Prior to this, she was Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE Bristol).
Professor Harrington has made several contributions to the wider education sector. She is a board member of the Kent and Medway enterprise partnership, the Higher Education Access and Participation Task and Finish Group and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association. Professor Harrington has also played an active role in multi academy trusts; serving as a chair on the Cabot Learning Foundation (CLF) and a member on the Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT). She was formerly Chair of the University Alliance.
My passion has always been the power that education can and does play in transforming lives through social mobility. I take great pride in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that enables all students regardless of their background to thrive and reach their full potential. Graduations remain my favourite days of the year as I see the culmination of their hard work.