Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive
Aston University
Aston University is seeking an outstanding Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive to provide ambitious leadership through the University’s next phase of delivery, growth and global impact.
With a proud heritage as the UK’s first College of Advanced Technology in 1956, Aston became a distinctive, values-led university in 1966. Asto has a powerful mission: to transform lives through education, research and innovation that delivers real-world impact. Renowned for employability, applied learning, business engagement and social mobility, Aston today stands on a strong platform following a period of significant progress and transformation.
The University is organised across three Colleges: Business and Social Sciences, home to our Triple-Accredited Business School; Engineering and Physical Sciences; and Health and Life Sciences, including our growing Medical School. These are complemented by the growing Aston Online and Aston Professional offers, all with a strong focus on applied, industry-relevant education and research. Aston’s academic model is deliberately practical, outward-facing and aligned to the needs of students, employers and society.
Aston is also extending its reach through a developing network of global academic hubs, including Aston University London, and internationally in locations such as Egypt and Dubai, alongside wider partnerships across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. These hubs reflect Aston’s strategic focus on growth, diversification and global engagement, and provide platforms for high-quality education, industry collaboration and international partnerships.
Following a period of decisive leadership, Aston now seeks a Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive who can build on this momentum. You will lead the continued delivery and evolution of the Aston 2030 Strategy, which is designed to deliver a step change in the University’s global reach, reputation and impact across the breadth of its activity. You will bring the experience, judgment and dynamic leadership required to translate this ambition into measurable success.
Leading confidently in a changing and competitive UK and global higher education environment, you will sustain momentum while exercising the ability to prioritise, sequence and reshape activity to ensure focus, resilience and long-term sustainability. This is a role that calls for strategic clarity, sound judgment and the ability to balance ambition with disciplined execution.
You will bring credible academic leadership and a strong commitment to educational excellence, equitable opportunity and outstanding student outcomes. You will champion applied, impactful research and innovation, strengthen links with industry and employers, and ensure Aston’s graduates are digitally fluent, workplace-ready and equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing technological and societal landscape. Aston already works with leading organisations such as Capgemini, Microsoft and a wide range of regional, national and international partners, and you will build on these relationships to further enhance impact and opportunity.
As Aston’s principal ambassador, you will build and deepen influential relationships with business, government, healthcare partners, civic leaders and benefactors. You will represent Aston with confidence and authenticity, strengthening its profile and reputation locally, nationally and internationally. Central to the role is a visible commitment to Birmingham and the West Midlands, including Aston’s role within the Birmingham Innovation Quarter and wider civic and economic partnerships, alongside an ambition to extend the University’s global presence and influence.
We are seeking a leader with gravitas and integrity, and the ambition and emotional intelligence to inspire confidence, bring people with them and lead effectively through change. You will combine academic credibility with commercial acumen, strategic insight with collaborative leadership, and a strong sense of purpose with an inclusive, empowering approach.
This is a rare opportunity to lead an ambitious, entrepreneurial and socially committed university that makes opportunity real, locally and globally. If you share Aston’s values and have the vision and capability to lead it forward, we would be delighted to hear from you.
The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Monday 16th February, Final Panel TBC
Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to the University, and an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.
Further information is available here: Aston University - Vice Chancellor | AQ
* A full CV.
* A cover letter (maximum of three pages) outlining your vision for Aston, your motivations for the role and how you meet the essential criteria of the person specification.
* Please include details of two referees in either your CV or covering letter, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.
Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact:
Carolyn Coates at carolyn.coates@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7825 871 944
Kiersten Avery at kiersten.avery@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7510 384 735
Ed Pritchard at ed.pritchard@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7980 817 927