Stephen Marston, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire and a serving member of Advance HE’s Board, has been appointed Chair of the Board.
Mr Marston takes over from Sir Nigel Carrington, Vice-Chancellor of University of the Arts London, who is retiring. Mr Marston’s appointment follows a rigorous process and was ratified by the Advance HE Board, 17 February 2021.
Stephen Marston said, “I am delighted to be appointed Chair of a first class Board which I believe is working very effectively with Advance HE’s Executive group. Huge strides have been made since Advance HE was formed in early 2018 and now there is a great opportunity for it to claim its place as the HE sector’s leading development agency, working with our members in the UK and overseas to support them to achieve their goals. I know I speak for all Board members in saying how excited we are by Advance HE’s progress to date, and the potential we see to keep strengthening the support services we offer for members, particularly in teaching and learning, governance, leadership, and equality, diversity and inclusion. This impressive start has, in no small part, been due to the commitment of my predecessor, Sir Nigel Carrington, and I look forward to building on his outstanding leadership.
“We will continue to support, encourage and challenge Advance HE as it develops and flourishes in the coming years. The Board’s work will be enriched as we recruit our full complement of members, focusing on ensuring a wider diversity of experience and background.”
Sir Nigel Carrington said, “It’s been a great privilege to work with my fellow Board members since Advance HE was formed. We have all been extremely impressed with the way in which Advance HE has developed and performed since the merger. I would highlight its swift and decisive response to its members’ needs in the pandemic as a great example of its robust, efficient and flexible business model, demonstrating that Advance HE has indeed become more than the sum of its parts.
“The sector will face new challenges as the world begins to grapple with the aftermath and recovery from the pandemic. I am confident Advance HE is now well established to play a significant and valued role for members in that landscape. I know that Stephen and the Board will offer the guidance and wisdom that those emerging challenges will undoubtedly demand.”
Alison Johns, Chief Executive, said, “I am personally extremely grateful to Nigel for his invaluable guidance and support as Chair of the Board, particularly through our merger and as we established ourselves as a single agency. We are very much looking forward to working with Stephen and are delighted with his appointment. I thank him and the entire Board for the precious time they commit in supporting us.
“It’s an exciting time for Advance HE which sees us on the threshold of sharing our new strategy which we have developed in very close consultation with the Board.”
More information about the Advance HE Board, including Stephen Marston’s biography, is available here.
