University vice-chancellor to retire

Prof Congdon has held the post of vice-chancellor since August 2019

The University of Bradford's vice-chancellor is to retire at the end of the year to spend more time with her family.

Prof Shirley Congdon is the university's eighth vice-chancellor and became the first woman to hold the position when she was appointed in August 2019.

During her tenure the university has been ranked number one in the Higher Education Policy Institute's Social Mobility Index for four years in a row.

Prof Congdon, 64, said it had been an "honour" to lead the university where she has worked since 2009.

In statement she said: "The last six years have presented many challenges and opportunities and I am proud to have led the university with such an amazing group of people.

"Decisions such as these are always difficult but I truly believe that as the university enters its 60th year in 2026, it will rise to new heights and will continue to make a difference through its approach to learning, teaching and research.

"It has been an honour to serve as its vice-chancellor and I will miss both the place and the people."

The process of recruiting a new vice-chancellor will begin shortly, the university said.

The announcement comes a day after the University and College Union announced its members at Bradford were to stage 10 days of walk outs over plans to cut jobs and course in order to save £16m.

The university said, like others in the higher education sector, it faced "significant financial challenges".

Paying tribute to Prof Congdon's work, Rod Bristow, who chairs the university's governing body, said her commitment to her role was "both significant and inspirational".

"Her stewardship of the University of Bradford has included some tremendous achievements, not least of which has been placing equality and opportunity at the heart of everything we do, in addition to steering a path through the challenging landscape in which the higher education sector finds itself," he said.

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