Professor Gillian Murray appointed as University's next Vice-Chancellor

She will take up her post in July, moving from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, where she has spent nine years as Deputy Principal (Enterprise and Business).

Under Professor Murray's guidance, Heriot-Watt has become a national leader in Graduate Apprenticeships and boasts a globally leading virtual campus supporting 7,000 learners.

Her expertise in driving research partnerships has resulted in Heriot-Watt doubling its research and knowledge exchange income and transforming cutting-edge research into real world impact through spearheading the university’s enterprise ecosystem.

Opportunity and ambition

She has also driven highly ambitious regional economic projects, both in Scotland and Merseyside, where she was previously co-founder and director of the Virtual Engineering Centre at the University of Liverpool.

She says: “I am very much looking forward to joining the University of Bradford. Like many universities, Bradford continues to face significant external challenges, but with a new strategy in place and new opportunities to grasp, I know that, together, we can build on its strong history to achieve our future ambitions.”

Professor Murray will take over from Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Braisby, who joined the University on January 5 following the retirement of its previous vice-chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon in December.

Chair of the University’s Council Rod Bristow said: “There is no appointment more important for the University than this one and I am delighted we have appointed someone of Gill’s calibre, record and energy."