Former Welsh Permanent Secretary To Be Formally Installed As New Glyndwr Chancellor

One of the key architects of Welsh devolution is to be installed as the Chancellor of Glyndŵr University.

Sir Jon Shortridge, former Permament Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Government, will be formally installed in the role at a ceremony on the university’s Wrexham campus today.

At the same ceremony, long service awards will be presented to a number of the university’s staff including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Scott.

Prof Scott will receive an award in recognition of 10 years’ service, having joined the institution, then known as NEWI, as Principal in 2001.

Leading the team that created Glyndŵr University, he became Vice-Chancellor on the granting of full university status in 2008.

He said: “I am surprised that such a length of time has gone so quickly.

“I have enjoyed the challenge up to this point and continue to enjoy the challenge of developing a new university in line with the aspirations and strategies of the Welsh Government.

“This university was created in the context of devolution, to promote industrial development and social justice, and I am looking forward to the years to come and the future successes of the university.”

Sir Jon, who was made an honorary fellow of the university in 2011, will preside over university awards ceremonies and provide advice in his role as Chancellor.

He said: “I’ve always had a high regard for Glyndŵr University. It’s got a great self confidence about it and it has achieved great things in recent years through its strong relationship with the community in north east Wales.

“This is very much a representational role and one which I hope to fulfil to the best of my abilities, drawing upon my knowledge of the issues affecting Wales and Glyndŵr University’s future from my time as Permanent Secretary.”