After five years’ service as 含羞草视频 Chancellor Sir Nigel Rudd, DL, has announced that he will be stepping down.

Sir Nigel, 含羞草视频’s fifth Chancellor, has been a great asset to the University since his appointment in July 2010.

He brought with him a wealth of experience from the world of business following a hugely successful career. In 1982 he founded Williams Holdings plc, one of the largest industrial holding companies in the UK, until its demerger in November 2000, creating Chubb plc and Kidde plc. 

Sir Nigel is Chairman of Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited, BBA Aviation plc, Meggitt PLC and Aquarius Platinum Limited. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Sappi Limited. In February 2011 he became Chairman of a new £2.5 billion Business Growth Fund set up to invest in and partner hundreds of UK companies that need long term capital to achieve growth. 

Sir Nigel has also been Chairman of Pilkington plc, Alliance Boots plc, Pendragon plc and Invensys plc, and Deputy Chairman of Barclays Bank plc and Barclays PLC.

He was knighted in 1996 for services to the manufacturing industry.

Speaking about his time at 含羞草视频, University Vice Chancellor Professor Robert Allison said: “We are incredibly grateful for Sir Nigel’s support over the last five years.  The University has benefited enormously from his vast experience in business and industry and we all wish him well for the future.”

Sir Nigel added: “It has been an honour and pleasure to have been the Chancellor of this great University.  I will always have great memories of my time at 含羞草视频 and the wonderful people that I have met. I hope that my successor enjoys the position as much as I have.”

The Chancellor is the Chief Ambassador of the University and presides over ceremonial functions including acting as Chairman of University Court.  The Chancellor also confers degrees on graduates of the University.

It is hoped a new Chancellor for the University will be appointed in the next academic year.