News and Events

Pro-Vice-Chancellor to lead Northampton

22 February 2010

Leading academic to leave BU to become Vice-Chancellor at Northampton.

Professor Nick Petford, currently Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at BU, has been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Northampton. He will take up his appointment in September 2010.

Professor Petford, a geologist by training, joined BU in 2006 from Kingston University as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise).

In 2008, he led BU’s successful submission to the Research Assessment Exercise, the outcome of which showed BU to be the fourth most improved university in the UK for research quality.

Over the past four years, Professor Petford has played a key role in building stronger links between the University and other organisations, both within the region and around the world.

Professor Paul Curran, Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University said "The University of Northampton are to be congratulated on their appointment of Professor Petford as their next Vice-Chancellor.

“Nick's strong academic credentials, energy and leadership experience will equip him very well indeed for this appointment. He has made an enormous contribution to BU’s success over the past four years and he will be sorely missed. However Nick will make an excellent Vice-Chancellor and I am delighted for him.”