New Glyndwr University Interim Vice Chancellor Announced

Professor Graham Upton has today been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Glyndwr University.

Professor Graham Upton is the new interim Vice-Chancellor at Glyndŵr University, replacing Professor Michael Scott in the Vice-Chancellor role of the university.

In November 2014 it was announced that Professor Scott intended to step down from his role during some point this year. However Professor Scott stepped down from the position earlier than expected, announcing his departure on New Year’s Day.

Professor Upton takes up the role from Monday and says he is confident he will steer the Wrexham-based institution to a position of financial stability, building on the foundations laid by outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Scott.

Glyndŵr University has faced problems in recent months as well undergoing an operational and academic restructure, but Professor Upton is relishing the task ahead.

He said: “I look forward to working with the staff, students, governors and our external partners to find solutions to the issues the University has recently encountered.”

“Glyndŵr University has an excellent profile of widening participation and making higher education available to all who are able to benefit from it, playing a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of north east Wales.

“It has recently undertaken a major restructuring to ensure that efficient and effective management systems are in place; my task is to provide the leadership needed to enable the University to build on the work that has already been undertaken and to restore financial stability.”

He added: “I don’t underestimate the challenges that lie ahead but I am confident solutions can be found so that the University is in a position of greater strength as we move forward.”

Born in Birmingham, Professor Upton was educated in Australia and went on to teach in secondary and special education schools before returning to the UK in 1972.

After a brief spell at Chester College, he worked for the University of Wales, Leeds Polytechnic and the University of Birmingham where he was Pro-Vice Chancellor and Professor of Special Educational Needs and Educational Psychology.

Professor Upton was appointed Vice-Chancellor at Oxford Brookes University in 1997, where he spent 10 years at the helm before retiring.

Professor Upton has experience in this role as from May 2010 until July 2011 he was the interim acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cumbria, , taking the institution from a £30million deficit to a position of financial stability and sustainability.

Student leaders at Glyndŵr University have strongly welcomed the appointment of an interim Vice-Chancellor as a step towards building a stronger university.

In a joint statement, Student Guild President Penny Anderson and Vice President Marc Caldecott urged Professor Graham Upton to pledge to work with students to begin the work of tackling long-standing financial and structural problems at Glyndŵr through its student-centred principles.

The Guild said Prof Upton’s experience of transforming Cumbria University from a financially-vulnerable institution into a financially sustainable, stable body bodes well for the short-term restructuring that will be needed at Glyndŵr.

They said: “We are delighted with the appointed of Professor Upton as interim Vice Chancellor of Glyndŵr University.

“It has been a turbulent few months for the students of Glyndŵr and we hope this appointment is a sign that the institution is turning a corner.

“The Guild has been part of the recruitment process since Professor Mike Scott’s announcement that he would stand down, which has ensured we have embedded students at the heart of decision-making for Glyndŵr’s future.

“Prof Upton has assured us of his commitment and support for our student-facing principles for Glyndŵr moving forward, and we look forward to working with him to make these a reality.”