Today (Friday 1st August 2025), Professor Helen Laville and Professor Anthony Woodman have commenced their roles as Vice-Chancellors at University Alliance (UA) institutions and will join the UA Board.
Professor Laville’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University begins today, whilst Professor Woodman becomes Vice-Chancellor Designate at the University of Hertfordshire, before formally taking up the VC post on 1st September 2025.
Professor Helen Laville, formerly Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at fellow UA member Kingston University, has an impressive track record in enhancing the research agenda, improving student outcomes, embedding employability into the curriculum, and leading strategic change and development.
Professor Anthony Woodman, a scientist by training and Provost and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of West London (also a UA member), has an excellent track record in health and life sciences, research strategy, and enterprise, whilst his high-level strategic leadership has raised UWL’s research profile and external engagement.
Professor Jane Harrington, Chair of University Alliance and Vice-Chancellor and CEO of the University of Greenwich, said in response to the news:
“As an Alliance, we are delighted to welcome two new Vice-Chancellors to their roles at the University of Hertfordshire and Oxford Brookes University, and we warmly welcome them to the UA board.
Professor Anthony Woodman and Professor Helen Laville have extensive leadership experience from their roles at the University of West London and Kingston University, respectively, and they will undoubtedly make strong leaders at their new institutions.
They have the full backing of colleagues from across the University Alliance as we embark on a new chapter.”
These appointments follow the retirement of Professors Alistair Fitt and Quintin McKellar from their respective positions at OBU and Hertfordshire.
Between them, Professors Fitt and McKellar have had remarkable careers in higher education, each serving 14-year tenures in their current roles. Both led their universities through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Fitt, a mathematician by background, has been a long-term advocate for Alliance universities and their role in regional development and has fostered a culture of research excellence and civic engagement.
Professor McKellar, a veterinary scientist and former Chief Executive of the Royal Veterinary College, took office in 2011. Under his leadership, the University of Hertfordshire has strengthened its international partnerships, enhanced its research profile, and made substantial upgrades to modernise its campuses.
