University of Birmingham appoints vice-chancellor
The University of Birmingham has announced that Professor Adam Tickell has been appointed as its next vice-chancellor and principal.
Professor Tickell (pictured) will take up the post as of January 2022, following Professor Sir David Eastwood 's retirement in December 2021.
As an extremely experienced senior leader within the higher education sector, Professor Tickell joins Birmingham from the University of Sussex where he has spent the last five years as vice-chancellor.
The appointment also marks a return to Birmingham for the Professor who previously held the posts of provost and vice-Principal, as well as pro-vice-chancellor for Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Birmingham.
Mervyn Walker, pro-chancellor and chair of council at the University of Birmingham said: “I am delighted to congratulate Professor Tickell on his appointment. This was a rigorous and highly competitive selection process, and the standard was exceptionally high.
“Professor Tickell has an impressive track-record of leadership in higher education. He brings a combination of clear strategic vision, a collegiate leadership style, intellectual credibility, a depth and breadth of academic understanding, and genuine national influence: qualities that the Selection Committee felt would be invaluable to lead the University in its aspiration to become a global top 50 university.
“Under Professor Sir David Eastwood 's leadership, the research, education, civic mission, and global influence of the University have been transformed, and we are now firmly established as an innovative and bold global institution.
“Sir David 's legacy provides a truly remarkable platform on which to build, one which allows us to set the even more stretching aim of becoming one of the world 's leading universities. In Professor Tickell we believe we have found the right person to lead the whole University community in achieving these ambitions. ”
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Tickell said: “I am thrilled to be taking on this exciting role at a crucial time for the University. Although the backdrop for universities is challenging, Birmingham is very well placed to thrive.
“It has been led exceptionally and has real academic strength, outstanding facilities and opportunities for students, state-of-the-art research facilities, and strong collaborations.
“My ambition is for Birmingham to be known as the most innovative, vibrant and exciting place to work or study in the UK. ”