Sir Peter Bonfield, Chair of Council and Senior Pro-Chancellor at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ to be succeeded by Christine Hodgson CBE
At the end of 2020, following unprecedented success under the Chairmanship of Sir Peter Bonfield CBE FREng, the University Council has approved that Christine Hodgson CBE, Chair of Severn Trent, and a º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ alumna, will take up the role as Chair of Council and Senior Pro-Chancellor at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. Christine will succeed Sir Peter in January 2021 when his term of office, the maximum allowed under the University Ordinances and Regulations, comes to an end.
Christine, who has extensive experience in business, finance and technology leadership, graduated from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ with a First Class Honours BSc Accounting and Financial Management.
Her first role was with Coopers and Lybrand in 1987, working as a Senior Manager in corporate finance. She joined Ronson plc in 1994 as Corporate Development Director, before taking up her first role at Capgemini in 1997, one of the world’s largest technology and professional services Groups. Christine has held numerous senior roles within the company and was appointed Chair of Capgemini UK in 2015.
In February 2018 she was appointed as Senior Independent Director of Standard Chartered PLC, and in October 2019 Christine was announced as the next Chair of Severn Trent Plc with effect from April 2020.
Speaking about her appointment Sir Peter Bonfield said: “I look forward to handing over this prestigious position to another º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ graduate. Christine is hugely respected by all who know her and has enjoyed an outstanding career.”
Professor Robert Allison, Vice-Chancellor of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ added: “I am delighted Christine will be joining the University as Chair of Council in 2021. She will be a great asset and advocate for º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, ensuring we continue to excel. I very much look forward to working with her.”
Alan Hughes MBA FCIB FRSA, a long-standing member of the University Council and Deputy Chair, said: “Christine will be a fantastic Chair of Council, continuing the great work Sir Peter has done during his nine years of service.”
Speaking about her appointment, Christine said: “I have wonderful memories of my time as a student at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. The University gave me not only the academic skills I needed to succeed, but also the life skills. I look forward to being part of the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ family again, working with the Vice-Chancellor and others to ensure the University continues to go from strength to strength.”
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: PR 20/45
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2019 QS World University Rankings, University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019 and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
At the end of 2020, following unprecedented success under the Chairmanship of Sir Peter Bonfield CBE FREng, the University Council has approved that Christine Hodgson CBE, Chair of Severn Trent, and a º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ alumna, will take up the role as Chair of Council and Senior Pro-Chancellor at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. Christine will succeed Sir Peter in January 2021 when his term of office, the maximum allowed under the University Ordinances and Regulations, comes to an end.
Christine, who has extensive experience in business, finance and technology leadership, graduated from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ with a First Class Honours BSc Accounting and Financial Management.
Her first role was with Coopers and Lybrand in 1987, working as a Senior Manager in corporate finance. She joined Ronson plc in 1994 as Corporate Development Director, before taking up her first role at Capgemini in 1997, one of the world’s largest technology and professional services Groups. Christine has held numerous senior roles within the company and was appointed Chair of Capgemini UK in 2015.
In February 2018 she was appointed as Senior Independent Director of Standard Chartered PLC, and in October 2019 Christine was announced as the next Chair of Severn Trent Plc with effect from April 2020.
Speaking about her appointment Sir Peter Bonfield said: “I look forward to handing over this prestigious position to another º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ graduate. Christine is hugely respected by all who know her and has enjoyed an outstanding career.”
Professor Robert Allison, Vice-Chancellor of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ added: “I am delighted Christine will be joining the University as Chair of Council in 2021. She will be a great asset and advocate for º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, ensuring we continue to excel. I very much look forward to working with her.”
Alan Hughes MBA FCIB FRSA, a long-standing member of the University Council and Deputy Chair, said: “Christine will be a fantastic Chair of Council, continuing the great work Sir Peter has done during his nine years of service.”
Speaking about her appointment, Christine said: “I have wonderful memories of my time as a student at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. The University gave me not only the academic skills I needed to succeed, but also the life skills. I look forward to being part of the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ family again, working with the Vice-Chancellor and others to ensure the University continues to go from strength to strength.”
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: PR 20/45
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2019 QS World University Rankings, University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019 and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
