Lord Waldegrave named as Reading University chancellor

Lord William Waldegrave will take up the role of chancellor in December

Lord William Waldegrave has been named as the new chancellor of the University of Reading.

The 70-year-old peer was unanimously chosen by the university's governors.

He will take over the university's present chancellor Sir John Madejski in December.

University staff recently announced a vote of no confidence in vice-chancellor Sir David Bell who led a £20m service review which threatened up to 40 jobs.

'Privilege'

Lord Waldegrave was educated at Eton, University of Oxford and Harvard University.

He later held cabinet positions under Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major, including secretary of state for health and chief secretary to the Treasury.

He said taking up the role at "one of the world's leading universities" was a "privilege".

President of the University of Reading Council, Christopher Fisher said Lord Waldegrave would "bring a strong commitment to education and science".