Vice-Chancellor and President of Brunel University London Professor Julia Buckingham CBE has announced plans to step down after nearly 10 years in the role.
The University will now begin the process of finding a successor, during which time Julia will remain in post to ensure a smooth handover.
“It has been a huge privilege to steer Brunel through some of the most important changes ever seen in the higher education sector,” said Julia, who joined Brunel in 2012. “I am incredibly proud of everything our wonderful community has achieved and know, not least from the experiences of the past year, that this incredible institution has everything it needs to thrive and to continue to make major contributions to our global society.”
Julia commented that she was being careful to avoid the word retirement, however she does plan to spend more time with friends and family in her much-loved Cornwall on leaving Brunel.
“I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Brunel and I would like to thank all of the hardworking, brilliant staff and students I have worked with in my time here,” she added.
Brunel’s Council, the body that governs the institution, is now beginning the process of recruiting Julia’s replacement. Julia added that it will be business as usual while the recruitment process takes place.
Chair of Council, Professor Mike Spyer, commented: “It’s going to be a difficult exercise to find a replacement with the same level of determination, drive and wisdom as Julia. Brunel is now in a much stronger position than when she arrived.”
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