University boss retiring

LOUGHBOROUGH VICE-CHANCELLOR STEPPING DOWN AFTER EIGHT YEARS

THE vice-chancellor and president of Loughborough University is to retire from his post at the end of this academic year.

Professor Robert Allison will have been in the role for eight years.

He said: “Loughborough is a very special place and I shall always be very grateful for the chance to lead such an outstanding institution.

“I am hugely proud of the university and all it has achieved.

“By this time next year, we shall be well on the way to developing a new university strategy to set our direction for the future.

“I believe the time is right for a new leader to take Loughborough forward.

“When I leave next summer, I shall miss so many things about Loughborough, in particular the colleagues and students with whom it is a privilege to work.”

Sir Peter Bonfield, the university’s senior pro-chancellor and chairman of the university council, said: “Professor Allison is an outstanding vice-chancellor. He has displayed courageous leadership and has always had a very clear vision of what Loughborough should and could be.

“His assured guidance has ensured the continued development and success of the university over the past years.

“It has been a privilege to have worked alongside him. When he leaves Loughborough next summer, he will be very much missed and I wish him great success in what comes next.”

Christine Hodgson, who will succeed Sir Peter in January, said that Professor Allison had guided the university through a period of great success since his appointment.

She said: “As a Loughborough alumna, I have been delighted to see the outstanding journey on which he has taken the university, both in the UK and overseas.

“I look forward to working with him from January and also wish him all the very best for the future.”

The process to appoint the next vice-chancellor will begin shortly.