Professor David Phoenix departs LSBU for new OU venture
Professor David Phoenix departs LSBU for new OU venture
After 11 years in post, Professor David Phoenix OBE, Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University and Chief Executive of the LSBU Group, is leaving to take up the position of Vice-Chancellor at the Open University (OU).
A renowned researcher in molecular engineering and a key influencer in tertiary and higher education policy, Professor Phoenix’s experience in higher education and strong commitment to widening access has led change and influenced policy development within one of the most diverse universities in the UK. Professor Phoenix’s achievements at LSBU include:
- Development of the LSBU Group, comprising London South Bank University, South Bank Colleges (SBC) and South Bank Academies (SBA) as a national pilot designed to create learning pathways through the formation of a tertiary education system
- Opening the first technical college in a generation and obtaining Ministerial approval for the opening of a new technical sixth form
- Being recognised in the Times Higher Impact Rankings as third in the world for reducing inequalities and progressing through the Times World Rankings to be in the top 65 universities in the UK
- Creating an employer-led student experience that consistently delivers some of the highest graduate starting salaries in the UK
- Supporting significant growth in both Research and Knowledge Exchange, ensuring 8000 business contacts and increasing numbers of large scale, high impact grants
- Enhancing staff experience, recognition and support through introducing initiatives such as the Technician Commitment and embedding the Disability Employment Charter and Athena Swan Programme
- Winning multiple team awards and being recognised as University of the Year for Employability (Times), University of the Year for Enterprise (Times Higher Education), University of the Year for Social Inclusion (Daily Mail) and University of the Year for Apprenticeships
Professor Dave Phoenix said:
“It is with a degree of sadness that I am leaving LSBU. The University, the Colleges and the Academies that form our unique LSBU Group are very special. We took on something new in order to change people’s lives and thanks to the wonderful team of colleagues, students and employers, we have shown how to challenge inequality and make a difference. I am excited for my new challenge at the Open University and I know that my 11-year tenure at LSBU has set me up well for this opportunity. I wish LSBU well for the future and know it will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Dr Andreas Raffel, Chair of the LSBU Group Board of Governors, said:
“Professor Phoenix has made an enormous contribution to the lives of students, employers and communities during the past 11 years. His commitment to access to opportunity, his approach to offering technical and professional education and his passion for arguing for greater policy change and student support make him a very special leader. While we are sorry to see him go, we very much thank him for his service. Moving to head up the UK’s largest university that focuses on removing barriers to education and transforming lives is a perfect move and Dave is an excellent appointment for the Open University. We wish him every success.”
Rt Hon Sir Simon Hughes, Chancellor of London South Bank University and former Head of Public Affairs at the OU, said:
“The appointment of David Phoenix to be VC of The Open University is a huge honour and a tribute to the work and success of Dave in leading London South Bank University and the LSBU Group over the last decade. He will leave LSBU in a very strong place for which we owe him a huge amount. The OU will benefit greatly from his extensive experience, skill and vision and this represents a great opportunity for him.”
Professor Ruth Farwell CBE, Chair of South Bank Colleges (SBC), said:
“As former Pro Vice-Chancellor at London South Bank University I watched the progress of LSBU Group with keen interest. More recently as Chair of the South Bank Colleges Board I have been delighted to support Dave’s vision of bringing together these institutions to create a tertiary offer to support local people and employers. In driving this forward, Dave has made a unique contribution to the local area and the sector more widely.”
Hitesh Tailor, former Chair of South Bank Academies (SBC) and LSBU Honorary Fellow, said:
“As an LSBU alumnus, donor, former Deputy Chair of the LSBU Board, and Chair of South Bank Academies, I have a proud and longstanding relationship with LSBU. As SBA Chair I admired and supported Dave’s unwavering commitment to the development of the LSBU Group, its constituent parts and its students throughout his tenure. He has made an outstanding contribution and I’m sure will do the same at the OU.”
LSBU Group will commence a recruitment process for a new Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive early in the new year.