Cardiff University’s Chancellor, Baroness Jenny Randerson, dies aged 76

Cardiff University’s Chancellor, Baroness Jenny Randerson, has died at the age of 76.

Jenny had previously represented Cardiff Central as the Welsh Liberal Democratic politician from 1999 until 2011, and was the first female Liberal Democrat minister anywhere in the UK as Minister for Culture, Sport and Welsh Language from 2000 to 2003.

She began her career in education as a secondary school teacher and later became a lecturer at Coleg Glan Hafren in Cardiff, and later in life, returned to the sector as Chancellor of Cardiff University.

In a statement by the Liberal Democrats, the party said she was “instrumental in introducing a cultural strategy aimed at promoting the Welsh language”.

Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds told BBC News that her work “left an indelible mark on our politics and society” adding that she will be “deeply missed” having “dedicated her life to serving the people of Cardiff and Wales”.

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Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner, also extended her “deepest sympathies” and paid tributes to Jenny. She said: “As Chancellor, Jenny played a vital role and presided over graduation ceremonies and other key University events.

“Jenny committed her whole life to public service and was a longstanding friend and advocate for our University and for the benefits of higher education during her time as a Cardiff Councillor, Assembly Member and Minister and more recently in the House of Lords – she will be deeply missed.”

Alongside her successful political career, she was also a patron of several charities including Wales Council for Deaf People, the Cardiff and Vale Youth Wind Band and the African Mothers’ Foundation.

Leader of the Liberal Democratic Group on Cardiff Council Rodney Berman said the party owe her a debt of gratitude and that her “contribution to Welsh life and to politics over many decades has been nothing short of immense”.

People also took to social media to share their condolences, with one user, Kathryn, saying: “Jenny was a wonderful woman and offered me great words of wisdom in the past – she really did go an extra mile to offer support. She will be greatly missed.”

Featured image via House of Lords