Bangor University announces new Vice-Chancellor

Bangor University is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke.

Professor Burke has an impressive track record of leadership in higher education. He joins Bangor from the University of Leicester where he spent the last four years as Deputy Vice-Chancellor. He takes up the post on 1 September 2022 following the retirement of the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Iwan Davies.

Marian Wyn Jones, Pro Chancellor and Chair of Council at Bangor University, who led the recruitment process commented: “This is an excellent appointment for the University and Professor Burke joins us at an exciting time as we begin to implement our ambitious new Strategy 2030. Professor Burke impressed the panel with his proven academic leadership skills and experience, his vision and commitment to the future of Bangor University and his understanding of its critical role for and of north Wales. I am sure he will build successfully on the impressive achievements of Iwan Davies, leading Bangor to manage the challenges that lie ahead, so that the University continues to provide a first class education, accessible and dedicated to the success of all our students.”

Speaking of his appointment Professor Burke said:

“It is an honour and a privilege to have been entrusted with leading this great Welsh University on the next phase of its development and growth. I have an ambitious vision for Bangor, focused around being research-led and student-centred, providing an exceptional student experience with an outstanding international reputation, whilst being deeply rooted within the local community, Welsh culture and language.”

Professor Edmund Burke, Vice Chancellor outside Bangor University

With a career dedicated to higher education and the pursuit of academic excellence, Professor Burke has held senior positions at the University of Nottingham, University of Stirling, Queen Mary University of London as well as, most recently, at the University of Leicester, where he played a key role in supporting significant improvement in the recent REF, which saw Leicester move up 23 places to the top 30 in the UK. He has a distinguished international research profile in Operational Research. His research investigates intelligent decision support methodologies in complex environments and lies at the interface of Computer Science and Mathematics. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and President of the Operational Research Society.

As an institutional leader, he has demonstrated strategic vision and operational effectiveness by driving new initiatives, managing complex programmes of change and generating significant and sustainable growth.

Marian Wyn Jones, Chair of Council, added: “We are looking forward to Edmund joining us, with a smooth transition from the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Iwan Davies. I would like to thank Professor Davies for his outstanding leadership over the last three years which will provide a strong platform for future success.”

Prof Iwan Davies said: “I would like to congratulate Professor Edmund Burke on his appointment as the next Vice Chancellor of Bangor University. It has been a real privilege for me to serve this great institution and I wish him and the entire University community every success in the future.”

Bangor University has an outstanding reputation in the higher education sector, attracting students from over 120 countries. The University is in the top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction in the NSS 2022, in the top 15 in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings and, in the recent REF 2021, 85% of its research was recognised as internationally excellent or world leading. With the recent announcement of the early establishment of an independent North Wales Medical School at Bangor University, the University is set to further build on its recent successes.