The University of Brighton has appointed Professor Donna Whitehead as its next vice-chancellor.

Professor Whitehead will start  her new role next February 1.

She is currently deputy vice-chancellor at the University of South Wales. She held the same role at London Metropolitan University and was pro-vice-chancellor and executive dean at the University of the West of England.

Her career in higher education began as a lecturer in law at the University of Sunderland where she had studied as both an undergraduate and postgraduate. She is a qualified legal practitioner in the UK and has also passed the New York Bar exam.

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Professor Whitehead said: “I am delighted to be appointed as vice-chancellor at the University of Brighton. I am looking forward to working with staff, students and external partners to build on the university’s significant successes to date and to deliver the next stage of the university’s evolution.

“Like many other sectors, the higher education sector is facing significant financial challenges. Whilst we will need to be brave and tackle these challenges together, I also see enormous opportunity for Brighton to grow and differentiate itself.

“I am absolutely committed to ensuring that our university continues to change lives, to deliver impact and to use its power to make a positive difference in the world. I don’t think there is anywhere better to do this than at the University of Brighton.”

Ben White, chairman of the board of governors at the University of Brighton, said: “After a search process that has drawn interest from a high-quality field of candidates, we are delighted to have appointed Professor Donna Whitehead as the next vice-chancellor at the University of Brighton.

“The panel unanimously agreed that Donna was the outstanding candidate to take on this role. She is an authentic leader with a clear vision for the university, a strong affinity with its values and mission, and a firm belief in the power of education to unlock potential and shape futures.”

Professor Whitehead succeeds Professor Debra Humphris CBE, who brought forward her planned retirement for personal reasons this summer having led the University of Brighton as vice-chancellor since 2015.