Professor Shirley Pearce has announced her decision to step down
from her role as Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University at the
end of the current academic year.
By July 2012, Professor Pearce will have been Vice Chancellor of
Loughborough for seven years. During this time, the University has
strengthened its research and innovation performance to secure its
position as an international leader, particularly in the areas of
manufacturing and sport, exercise and health sciences.
"From the moment I was appointed in April 2005, I have felt
privileged to be part of such a distinctive university," says
Professor Pearce. "Loughborough is a very special place and has
been extremely successful as a consequence of the commitment to
excellence that we see right across the campus. It has been a very
exciting time with numerous highlights, including topping the
league for the UK's best student experience for five years
running."
She continues: "I am announcing my decision now to allow the
university sufficient time to appoint my successor and so that I
can, openly, explore future opportunities. I am keen to remain
within higher education and public affairs and will continue to be
committed to promoting excellence in teaching, research and
knowledge transfer.
"I am enormously grateful to all my colleagues and to the
students at Loughborough for their support to me personally and for
their commitment to excellence which has made my role at the
University so enjoyable and rewarding."
Sir Bryan Carsberg, Loughborough's Senior Pro Chancellor and
Chair of its governing body, the University Council, said Professor
Pearce has made an exceptional contribution to the development and
success of Loughborough.
"Shirley is one of the truly outstanding vice chancellors of our
generation and she has guided Loughborough through a period of
great success," he comments.
"Under her leadership the University has developed significant
new partnerships, including the Midlands Energy Consortium, which
was chosen to host the headquarters of the Government's £1
billion national Energy Technologies Institute, and the
Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), which is now part of the
Government's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) initiative. Recent
successes in attracting three EPSRC Centres for Innovative
Manufacturing have made Loughborough the focus of national
investment in manufacturing research.
"Loughborough has also been selected by the British Olympic
Association (BOA) as The Official Preparation Camp Headquarters for
Team GB prior to the London 2012 Olympic Games and will host Team
Japan in the build up to the Games."
During Professor Pearce's tenure as Vice Chancellor,
Loughborough University's turnover has grown from £160
million to £235 million. Professor Pearce has been
instrumental in the diversification of Loughborough's income
streams and she has raised over £12 million in philanthropic
support.
Sir Bryan concludes: "I am proud to have been able to work with
Professor Pearce. When she leaves Loughborough next summer, she
will be very much missed, right across the University. I wish her
great success in whatever comes next."
As Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University, Professor Pearce
also plays a significant role in the UK Higher Education sector.
She currently holds a number of national appointments, including
Board Membership of the Higher Education Funding Council for
England (HEFCE), the Council for Industry and Higher Education
(CIHE), the 1994 Group, Universities and Colleges Employers
Association (UCEA) and the Council for Advancement and Support of
Education (CASE). She is also involved in a number of Universities
UK committees.