Surprise Early Exit For Glyndwr Vice Chancellor

The Vice Chancellor of Glyndwr University has stepped down from his role, earlier than was expected. 

Back in November Wrexham.com reported that Glyndwr’s Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Scott intended to step down from his role at some point in 2015, however has done so on New Years Day (January 1st), with his formal departure due to take place in March.

Today Professor Michael Scott has written to staff saying: “I wrote to you some weeks ago about my departure from the University. I can now confirm that I will formally be leaving the University on 31st March 2015.

“The Chairman and Board of Governors have kindly granted me leave of absence to pursue my research and other academic activities from 1st January 2015, although I will be on hand should there be issues which they feel need my involvement. I understand interim measures are being put in place to allow this to happen.”

“It has been an honour and a privilege to work with you over the last years and to serve the institution: its students, constituencies, partners, stakeholders and communities since 2001. I am grateful for the support I have received during that time from all concerned.”

Sir Sir Jon Shortridge, the Chancellor and Chairman of the University has released a statement this lunchtime paying tribute to Professor Scott and detailing the ongoing management of the University in the interim period:

“Professor Michael Scott informed the Board of Governors over the Christmas period that he planned to relinquish the role of Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive with immediate effect.

“Professor Scott will formally leave the University on March 31 2015 but has been granted a leave of absence from January 1 2015, so that he can pursue his research and other academic activities.

“His decision is in line with his announcement in November that it was his intention to leave Glyndŵr University this calendar year. On behalf of the board, I should like to reiterate our sincere gratitude and good wishes to Professor Scott as he starts the next chapter in his life.

“He achieved remarkable success as Vice Chancellor, taking the institution to full university status in 2008, having joined NEWI (North East Wales Institute) in 2001. Professor Scott has been an inspirational leader, a tireless worker for the interests of both students and the North East Wales community.

“He leaves a profound, positive legacy in numerous ways and particularly through his passionate commitment to widening student access to higher education. We will now build on the strong foundations laid by Professor Scott and continue to develop the University in keeping with the vision he established.

“In the coming weeks an interim Vice Chancellor will be appointed to provide leadership and to oversee the University’s operational, commercial and academic affairs.

“It is very much business as usual as we begin 2015 with a revitalised structure, on the back of a successful few months which saw Glyndŵr University achieve record-breaking student numbers and rise 44 places up the Guardian University League tables.

“We have faced many obstacles, internally and externally in recent months, but as a University we remain unified, and the Board is confident that, with the support of the Welsh Government and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), this year will see Glyndŵr University become even more successful – and much more resilient – than it is today.”

There had been speculation surrounding the Vice Chancellor’s role at the University for a few months, with Professor Scott announcing his intentions to stand down just days after Glyndwr University won back its ‘Highly Trusted Sponsor’ Status.