The University of York has appointed its first BAME Chancellor

Heather Melville will be York’s seventh Chancellor


The University of York has appointed its first person of colour as Chancellor of the University.

Heather Melville will be the university’s seventh Chancellor, replacing Sir Malcolm Grant who has been Chancellor since 2015.

On her appointment, Heather said: “I am very proud to support the goals and ambitions of the University of York, and to help champion why it is so important to create an inclusive, diverse community for all.”

Heather Melville is currently senior Managing Director at the global CEO advisory firm, Teneo, where she supports businesses to build more sustainable, diverse and inclusive practices.

She also already has strong connections to the university having presented at York’s 2019 Festival of Ideas. She also has been working with the University to help promote doctoral study for graduates from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, as part of the UKRI-funded Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education.

Commenting on her appointment, Heather said: “I am very proud to support the goals and ambitions of the University of York, and to help champion why it is so important to create an inclusive, diverse community for all. I’m as excited to be joining the University as I was when joining Teneo at the beginning of the year, because both appointments work hand-in-hand towards driving meaningful change for UK leaders and future generations.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery said: “Heather is such an authentic and inspirational leader, who embodies and inspires vision and ambition. She speaks from the heart and helps support a real culture of fairness, equality and justice.

“York is all about creating opportunities for all, so she will make a fantastic Chancellor, and I very much look forward to working with her. Her proven leadership and passion in promoting inclusion and diversity very much align with our values and ambitions here at the University of York.”

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