Aberystwyth University appoints former High Court judge as its first female chancellor

Aberystwyth University has appointed a former High Court judge as its first female Chancellor.

Judge Lady Justice Nicola Davies DBE has been appointed the role. Born and raised in Wales, Dame Nicola was the first in her family to attend university and was called to the Bar in 1976, where she specialised in medical law and acting in high-profile cases such as Sidaway v Board of Governors of the Bethlem Hospital and the Cleveland Child Abuse Inquiry.

Her ground-breaking career includes being appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1992, a Deputy High Court judge in 2003 and a High Court Judge in 2010. Then from 2014 to 2017, she was Presiding Judge of the Circuit in Wales and in 2018. Dame Nicola is now a judge at the Court of Appeal.

Dame Nicola was the first Welsh woman to hold all of these roles and now has become the first woman to be chancellor of Aberystwyth University.

Speaking about her new role, Lady Justice Nicola Davies said: “It’s an enormous honour to have been appointed to this role. Central to Aberystwyth University’s mission is a commitment to deliver world-class education and research that strengthens Wales and the wider world. Within the University is an incredibly dedicated and supportive community of staff and students, which is so cherished.

“My commitment to education is particularly important as it is a formative part of my background. It was the years at Bridgend Grammar which set me on the path to professional success. I was the first in my family to attend university, and my background was not the “conventional” one for a person seeking entry to the Bar.

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She added: “I see this role as a chance to give back to both higher education and to Wales – both of which have been and continue to be central to my life and my character. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity.”

Meri Huws, Chair of Aberystwyth University Council, said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome a distinguished judge of the stature of Lady Justice Nicola Davies to our community here in Aberystwyth. She has a depth of experience and talents that will be of great help to us as we look forward to the future.

“I would also like to put on record my thanks to her esteemed predecessor in the role, Lord Thomas of Cwmgïedd, for all his hard work for the institution and our recent successes.”

The universities Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jonathan Timmis added: “Lady Justice Nicola Davies’ appointment is excellent news for us. I am looking forward to working with her as we continue to transform our organisation and make a significant contribution to meeting the challenges that are faced by us as a nation and the wider world.”

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