Professor Malcolm Press CBE, Vice Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, has been elected as the next President of Universities UK (UUK).
The role runs for two academic years from 1 August 2025 and is elected through a ballot of UUK’s 141 members.
Professor Press will succeed the current President, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of St Andrews, who was appointed in 2023. During that time, Professor Mapstone has overseen UUK’s Blueprint for the future of the sector, the safeguarding of the graduate visa route and the building of a strong relationship with the new government.
Before his appointment as Vice Chancellor at Manchester Metropolitan in 2015, Professor Press served as Pro Vice Chancellor of Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Birmingham and served as President of the British Ecological Society from 2007 to 2009. His academic background is in ecology, with a focus on rainforests, sustainable agriculture and climate change.
I am incredibly honoured to be elected as President of Universities UK and to have the opportunity to represent our world-leading higher education sector at such a crucial time.
“Universities play a fundamental role in shaping the future - driving economic prosperity, educating millions of students and producing research that tackles the grand challenges of our time. Over the past six months, I have seen first-hand the challenges and opportunities facing our universities and I am committed to ensuring that we continue to thrive.
“I look forward to working with colleagues across the sector, government and industry to champion the incredible work universities do and to building a strong and sustainable future for higher education.
Professor Malcolm Press CBE
Vice Chancellor of MMU and President-elect of UUK
Chief Executive of Universities UK, Vivienne Stern MBE, welcomed the appointment:
Universities are one of the things the UK can be really proud of. We need to keep it that way. Given all of the pressures our great universities face, and the role they must play in strengthening our economy, exceptional leadership of the sector has never been more important. We need a great relationship with Governments in all four nations, but we also need sector-led change. Malcolm will be essential to us achieving that.
Vivienne Stern MBE
Chief Executive of Universities UK
Notes to editors:
- Professor Malcolm Press CBE will assume the role of UUK President on 1 August 2025 and his term will run until 31 July 2027.
- Current President Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE remains in position until 31 July 2025.
- Further information on Professor Press is available at Universities UK and Manchester Metropolitan University.
- The President is elected from and by the membership of Universities UK for two academic years and is only eligible for re-election by special resolution. The president chairs all Universities UK Members' Meetings, the UK Board and Board Advisory Committee meetings.