Nottingham v-c Sir David Greenaway to step down

The University of Nottingham’s vice-chancellor has announced that he will step down from his post next year.

Sir David Greenaway said that he will retire from the role at the end of September 2017, by which point he will have served the university for 30 years, two-thirds of that time as vice-chancellor, acting vice-chancellor or pro vice-chancellor.

In a statement to staff, he said that the decision “does not reflect any diminishing appetite for or commitment to my job”.

“Far from it. I have the same desire and energy as when I took on the role. But it is time to give more of that energy and commitment back to my family, who have supported my 24/7 lifestyle for so long, and without complaint.”

He added that he would use the next 13 months to see through developments at Nottingham “to ensure my successor has the strongest possible platform on which to drive us forward, together with a superb senior management team, and an outstanding and inspiring university community”.

John Mills, president of council at Nottingham said: “David has made a remarkable contribution not just to our university over many years but to the wider higher education and academic world.

“The University of Nottingham, through its teaching and research, has the ability to transform lives and David's commitment to that has been unrelenting. He has been, and remains, an exemplar of achievement through education."

Sir David, who is 64, has led the university since 2008 and is also a renowned economist.

He was appointed to the university as a professor of economics in 1987 and was subsequently a dean, pro vice-chancellor and founding director of the Leverhulme Centre for Research on Globalisation and Economic Policy.

Earlier this month, along with a team of 12 riders, he completed a 1,400-mile cycle challenge, navigating the four compass points of mainland Britain to raise funds for breast cancer research at the university.

It was the latest in a series of charity cycle rides over the last six years that have covered almost 7,000 miles and helped to raise more than £2.8 million. 

Nottingham is one of six universities shortlisted for the Times Higher Education University of the Year award, the winner of which will be unveiled in November.