Chair Of Council

This role offers an extraordinary opportunity to Chair the Council (board) and support the creation of what will be one London’s most progressive Universities.

In February 2024, City, University of London and St George’s, University of London signed a historic agreement to merge, creating a powerful new multi-faculty, multi-campus institution. The combined university, to be known as City St George’s, University of London, will come into being in August 2024 and will be one of the largest higher education providers in London. The merger is a significant point in the development of Higher Education in the UK and its capital city.  The strategic alignment of subject mix and ethos of City and of St George’s will create a health powerhouse for students, researchers, the NHS and partners. More broadly, it will bring advantages in terms of scale, reach, capability and resilience that will enable the University to provide a full-service Higher Education that is innovative and responds to society’s future needs.

A Chair of Council is now being appointed for City St George’s, through a process that has been agreed formally between both Universities. This is a significant and exciting opportunity to lead the Council of the combined University through the first three years of its existence, giving clear, effective strategic direction. The Council will then have the option to extend the appointment for a further and final term of three years.

The Council will have overall responsibility for the mission, strategy, direction and performance of City St George’s, ensuring that the best interests of stakeholders are met, notably students, staff and alumni. The Chair will be responsible for leading the process of bringing together and guiding the work of a highly talented and very senior group of colleagues with a range of lay and academic backgrounds. The appointee will provide leadership to the Council and support and oversee the work of the University senior executive. They will ensure high quality governance and compliance during the merger process and beyond, and will provide external representation as appropriate.

Distinctive for its focus on business, practice and the professions, City has extensive strengths across law, technology, engineering, business, arts, social science and health disciplines (such as nursing, midwifery and allied health professions). St George’s is an independent University with a long history in medicine and related disciplines including pharmacology, biomedical science, allied and global health, including a medical school first established in 1756, now co-located with a major teaching hospital. Both Universities have a shared ethos that brings together ambitions for excellence in student experience and ground-breaking research with a commitment to the communities they serve.

Ideal candidates will bring considerable experience at board level, ideally with leadership experience at Chair / Deputy Chair or Committee Chair level and of leading large, complex organisations. An understanding of large-scale change, perhaps through prior involvement with successful mergers, is essential. They will have a track record of building effective boards, with the emotional intelligence and judgement to balance consultation and sound decision-making and outcomes. They will demonstrate knowledge of and a deep commitment to Higher Education; and will have credibility and a strong network with City St George’s major stakeholders and senior figures in the wider world which may include health, business and the professions and act as an ambassador for the University externally. They will have a strong commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and to the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles).

The role is unremunerated (with expenses covered) and the time commitment is expected to be at least one day per week in time.  In the early period as the merger takes effect, it is likely that this may more.

Candidate Pack – Chair of Council

St George’s, University of London

City, University of London

For more information about the role, please visit our website via the button below.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 24 May 2024.

Interviews will take place Monday 1 July 2024.