York’s Vice-Chancellor Koen Lamberts has resigned

After five years as Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, Professor Koen Lamberts has resigned.

He has accepted the position of President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield. This means that he will formally leave York on 31st October 2018.

In an email to students, Professor Lamberts said:

"I am very proud of what we have achieved together since 2014. It has been a great pleasure to work with YUSU, the GSA, and many student societies and groups on making the University an even better place to live and study.

"I have admired the way in which we have been able to make progress on very challenging issues, in an open and engaging manner, through genuine dialogue and collaboration.

"I will always remember the role you, our students, have played in supporting our thinking about student mental health, about teaching and learning, about openness and tolerance on campus, and so many other important matters. You did not shy away from difficult questions, and in doing so enabled me and my colleagues to address them with confidence. For that, I am grateful to all of you, and although we have not found all the answers yet, we have made undeniable progress."

The Chair of Council, Gerard Lemos, will lead the search and recruitment process for a new Vice-Chancellor. Further interim arrangements will be announced by the Chair of Council in due course.

Lamberts continued: "My role at the University has been incredibly rewarding, professionally and personally. My family and I will look back with great fondness to our time in York. Thank you again for being such wonderful students and for making this University community such a great place to be. I wish you all the very best in the future."

Although no official reason can be given for Professor Lambert's departure, it can be suggested that the huge discrepancy between York's and Sheffield's vice-chancellor salary has something to do with it.

Leaving York for Sheffield could see Lamberts earn a pay increase of over £120,000, as Sheffield pay their VC £426,589 per year in comparison to York's £293,978 salary.