# List of chancellors and vice-chancellors of British universities

This following is a current list of the chancellors, vice-chancellors and visitors of universities in the United Kingdom. The chancellor is the ceremonial head of a university, while the vice-chancellor is the chief academic officer and chief executive; some universities have only a vice-chancellor but no chancellor. A few universities use other titles for their ceremonial head, e.g., "president" at the Royal Agricultural University and "rector" at Brunel, University of London. Two English universities (UCL and Imperial) have chief executives who do not use the title vice-chancellor. In Scotland, the chief executive is titled the principal and vice-chancellor.
The visitor is appointed by the founder of a charitable institution to oversee the distribution of the founder's bounty; in the case of universities, this is often the sovereign, in which case the office is usually carried out by the Lord President of the Council. In general, only universities incorporated as chartered or statutory corporations have visitors, i.e. most pre-1992 institutions but not post-1992 universities. Scottish universities do not have visitors, nor do the two ancient universities of England, which are civil corporations.

## England, Wales and Northern Ireland

| University | Chancellor | Vice-Chancellor | Visitor |
| Aberystwyth University | Dame Nicola Davies | Jon Timmis | (Appointed by the Privy Council) |
| Anglia Ruskin University | Lord Ribeiro | Roderick Watkins | |
| Arts University Plymouth | | Paul Fieldsend-Danks | |
| Arts University Bournemouth | | Lisa Mann | |
| University of AstonAston University | Sir John Sunderland | Aleks Subic | (Appointed by the Privy Council) |
| Bangor University | Sir Robin Williams | Edmund Burke | (Appointed by the Privy Council) |
| University of Bath | Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh | Phil Taylor | Sir Barry Cotter (Appointed by Order in Council) |
| Bath Spa University | Sharanjit Leyl | Georgina Andrews | |
| University of Bedfordshire | Sarfraz Manzoor | Rebecca Bunting | |
| University of Birmingham | Sandie Okoro | Adam Tickell | Lord President of the Council |
| Birmingham City University | Ade Adepitan | David Mba | |
| Birmingham Newman University | | Jackie Dunne | |
| University College Birmingham | | Michael Harkin | |
| Bishop Grosseteste University | Tracy Borman | Vacant (Andrew Gower from 22 April 2025}} | |
| University of BournemouthBournemouth University | Kate Adie | Alison Honour | |
| BPP University | Martyn W Jones | Tim Stewart | |
| University of Bradford | Anita Rani | Shirley Congdon | (No provision in charter) |
| University of Brighton | | Donna Whitehead | |
| University of Bristol | Sir Paul Nurse | Evelyn Welch | Lord President of the Council |
| Brunel University of London | Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell | Andrew Jones | (No provision in charter) |
| University of Buckingham | Dame Mary Archer | James Tooley | (No provision in charter) |
| University of Buckinghamshire NewBuckinghamshire New University | Vacant as of September 2024 | Nick Braisby |
| University of Cambridge | Lord Sainsbury | Deborah Prentice | |
| University of Canterbury Christ ChurchCanterbury Christ Church University | The Archbishop of Canterbury (Vacant as of January 2025) | Rama Thirunamachandran | |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | Stephen Wordsworth | Rachael Langford | |
| University of CardiffCardiff University | Vacant as of January 2025 | Wendy Larner | Sir Anthony Evans (Appointed by the sovereign on the nomination of the chancellor of the university) |
| University of Central Lancashire | Ranvir Singh | Graham Baldwin | |
| University of Chester | Gyles Brandreth | Eunice Simmons | |
| University of Chichester | | Symeon Dagkas | |
| Coventry University | Eng Ahmed El Sewedy | John Latham | |
| University of CranfieldCranfield University | Dame Deirdre Hutton | Dame Karen Holford | Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (Appointed by Order in Council) |
| University for the Creative Arts | Dame Magdalene Odundo | Jane Roscoe | |
| University of Cumbria | Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York | Julie Mennell | |
| De Montfort University | Akram Khan | Katie Normington | |
| University of Derby | William Cavendish, Earl of Burlington | Kathryn Mitchell | |
| Durham University | Fiona Hill | Karen O'Brien | The Bishop of Durham, or a suffragan bishop during vacancies longer than four weeks (Sarah Clark) |
| University of East Anglia | Dame Jenny Abramsky | David Maguire | (Appointed by Order in Council) |
| University of East London | Shabir Randeree | Amanda Broderick | |
| Edge Hill University | Dawn Airey | John Cater | |
| University of Essex | Sarah Perry | Maria Fasli | (Appointed by Order in Council) |
| University of Exeter | Sir Michael Barber | Lisa Roberts | The Sovereign (Charles III) |
| Falmouth University | Dawn French | Emma Hunt | |
| University of Gloucestershire | Vacant as of January 2025 | Dame Clare Marchant | |
| University of Greater Manchester | George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews | George Holmes | |
| University of Greenwich | Lord Boateng | Jane Harrington | |
| Harper Adams University | Anne, Princess Royal | Ken Sloan | |
| Health Sciences University | Anne, Princess Royal | Lesley Haig | |
| University of Hertfordshire | Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 7th Marquess of Salisbury | Quintin McKellar | |
| University of Huddersfield | Sir George Buckley | Bob Cryan | |
| University of Hull | Baroness Bottomley | David Petley | Lord President of the Council |
| Imperial College LondonImperial College London | | Hugh Brady | Lord President of the Council |
| University of KeeleKeele University | Lord Timpson | Trevor McMillan | Lord President of the Council |
| University of Kent | Gavin Esler | Georgina Randsley de Moura (acting) | The Archbishop of Canterbury (vacant) |
| King's College London | Anne, Princess Royal (as Chancellor of the University of London) | Shitij Kapur | Vacant |
| Kingston University | | Steven Spier | |
| Lancaster University | Alan Milburn | Andy Schofield | The Sovereign (Charles III) |
| University of Leeds | Dame Jane Francis | Hai-Sui Yu (Interim) | Lord President of the Council |
| Leeds Arts University | Skin | Simone Wonnacott | |
| Leeds Beckett University | Sir Bob Murray | Peter Slee | |
| Leeds Trinity University | Deborah McAndrew | Charles Egbu | |
| University of Leicester | Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock | Nishan Canagarajah | Lord President of the Council |
| University of Lincoln | Lord Adebowale | Neal Juster | |
| University of Liverpool | Colm Tóibín | Tim Jones | Lord President of the Council |
| University of Liverpool HopeLiverpool Hope University | Monica Grady | Claire Ozanne | |
| Liverpool John Moores University | Nisha Katona | Mark Power | |
| University of London | Anne, Princess Royal | Wendy Thomson | The Sovereign acting through the Lord President of the Council |
| London Metropolitan University | | Julie Hall | |
| London School of Economics | Anne, Princess Royal (as Chancellor of the University of London) | Larry Kramer | Lord President of the Council |
| London South Bank University | Sir Simon Hughes | David Phoenix | |
| University of LoughboroughLoughborough University | Lord Coe | Nick Jennings | Paul Michell (Appointed by Order in Council) |
| University of Manchester | Nazir Afzal | Duncan Ivison | (Appointed by Order in Council) |
| Manchester Metropolitan University | Lord Mandelson | Malcolm Press | |
| Middlesex University | Dame Janet Ritterman | Shân Wareing | |
| University of NewcastleNewcastle University | Imtiaz Dharker | Chris Day | The Sovereign (Charles III) |
| University of Northampton | Richard Coles | Anne-Marie Kilday | |
| Northumbria University Newcastle | Baroness Grey-Thompson | Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive | |
| Norwich University of the Arts | Amma Asante | Simon Ofield-Kerr | |
| University of Nottingham | Baroness Young | Jane Norman | Lord President of the Council |
| Nottingham Trent University | Sir John Peace | Edward Peck | |
| University of OpenOpen University | Baroness Lane-Fox | Josie Fraser (interim) | (Appointed by Order in Council) |
| University of Oxford | Lord Hague | Irene Tracey | |
| Oxford Brookes University | Paterson Joseph | Alistair Fitt | |
| Plymouth University | Lord Kestenbaum | Richard Davies | |
| University of Portsmouth | Karen Blackett | Graham Galbraith | |
| University of Queen'sQueen's University Belfast | Hillary Clinton | Sir Ian Greer | The Sovereign acting through a board of visitors appointed by Order in Council |
| University of Reading | Paul Lindley | Robert Van de Noort | Lord President of the Council |
| Regent's University London | Vacant | Geoff Smith | |
| Richmond American University London | | Philip Deans | |
| University of RoehamptonRoehampton University | Baroness Verma | Jean-Noël Ezingeard | |
| Royal Agricultural University | King Charles III | Peter McCaffery | |
| University of Salford | Lucy Meacock | Nic Beech | (No provision in charter) |
| University of Sheffield | Dame Anne Rafferty | Koen Lamberts | Lord President of the Council |
| Sheffield Hallam University | Baroness Kennedy | Liz Mossop | |
| Southampton Solent University | Theo Paphitis | James Knowles | |
| University of Southampton | Justine Greening and Lord Patel | Mark E. Smith | Lord President of the Council |
| University of South Wales | Lord Williams | Ben Calvert | |
| University of StaffordshireStaffordshire University | Lord Stafford | Martin Jones | |
| University of St Mark & St John | Nick McKinnel | Claire Taylor | |
| St Mary's University, Twickenham | Cardinal Vincent Nichols | Anthony McClaran | |
| University of Suffolk | Helen Pankhurst | Jenny Higham | |
| University of Sunderland | Emeli Sandé | Sir David Bell | |
| University of Surrey | Prince Edward, Duke of Kent | Max Lu | (Appointed by Order in Council) |
| University of Sussex | Sanjeev Bhaskar | Sasha Roseneil | Lord President of the Council |
| Swansea University | Dame Jean Thomas | Paul Boyle | (Appointed by the monarch in council) |
| Teesside University | Paul Drechsler | Paul Croney | |
| Ulster University | Colin Davidson | Paul Bartholomew | (No provision in charter) |
| University College London | | Michael Spence | |
| University of the Arts London | Clive Myrie | Karen Stanton (interim) | |
| University of Law | Lord Neuberger | Andrea Nollent | |
| University of Wales | King Charles III | Elwen Evans | Lord President of the Council |
| University of Wales, Trinity Saint David | R. Brinley Jones | Elwen Evans | Bishop of St David's or nominee (Joanna Penberthy) |
| University of Warwick | Baroness Ashton | Stuart Croft | (Appointed by Order in Council) |
| University of West London | Laurence Geller | Peter John | |
| University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) | Sir Ian Carruthers | Sir Steve West | |
| University of Westminster | Natalie Campbell | Peter Bonfield | |
| University of Winchester | Hugh Dennis | Sarah Greer | |
| University of Wolverhampton | Lord Paul | Ebrahim Adia | |
| University of Worcester | Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester | David Green | |
| Wrexham University | Colin Jackson | Maria Hinfelaar | |
| University of York | Heather Melville | Charlie Jeffery | (Appointed by Order in Council) |
| York St John University | Reeta Chakrabarti | Karen Bryan | |

## Scotland

At Scottish universities, the chief executive is styled the principal (formally principal and vice-chancellor). The ancient universities of Scotland, and the University of Dundee, have a Rector, elected by the student body.
| University | Chancellor | Principal | Rector |
| University of Aberdeen | Queen Camilla | George Boyne | Iona Fyfe |
| Abertay University | Alice Brown | Liz Bacon | |
| University of Dundee | George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen | Shane O'Neill (interim) | Keith Harris |
| University of Edinburgh | Anne, Princess Royal | Sir Peter Mathieson | Simon Fanshawe |
| Edinburgh Napier University | Will Whitehorn | Sue Rigby | |
| University of Glasgow | Dame Katherine Grainger | Sir Anton Muscatelli | Ghassan Abu-Sittah |
| Glasgow Caledonian University | Anne-Marie Imafidon | Steve Decent | |
| Heriot-Watt University | Sir Geoff Palmer | Richard Williams | |
| University of the Highlands and Islands | Anne, Princess Royal | Vicki Nairn | |
| Queen Margaret University | Dame Prue Leith | Sir Paul Grice | |
| Robert Gordon University | Dame Evelyn Glennie | Steve Olivier | |
| University of St Andrews | Menzies Campbell, Baron Campbell of Pittenweem | Dame Sally Mapstone | Stella Maris |
| University of Stirling | Jack McConnell, Baron McConnell of Glenscorrodale | Sir Gerry McCormac | |
| University of Strathclyde | Robert Smith, Baron Smith of Kelvin | Sir Jim McDonald | |
| University of the West of Scotland | Yekemi Otaru | James Miller | |

## Long service

The vice-chancellors listed below have served in that capacity for 15 years or more at a British university, a constituent institution of a federal university, or an institution that achieved that status during their period in office. Italics indicate people currently in office as of January 2024.
47 Years: George Baird (Edinburgh 1793–1840).
43 Years: Sir Henry Reichel (Bangor 1884–1927).
36 Years: George Campbell (Aberdeen 1759–95).
35 Years: Duncan Macfarlan(Glasgow 1823–58), John Mackay (Dundee 1895–1930).
34 Years: Hector Boece (Aberdeen 1500–34), Thomas Hamilton (Queens Belfast 1889–1923), Sir Hector Hetherington (Liverpool 1927–36, Glasgow 1936–61).
33 Years: Neil Campbell (Glasgow 1728–61).
31 Years: Sir Emrys Evans (Bangor 1927–58), Sir James Irvine (St Andrews 1921–52), Charles Thorp (Durham 1831–62).
30 Years: William Robertson (Edinburgh 1762–92), Patrick Sharp (Glasgow 1585–1615).
29 Years: John Adamson (Edinburgh 1623–1652), Sir James Donaldson (St Andrews 1886–1915).
28 Years: Ellen Charlotte Higgins (Royal Holloway 1907–35), Thomas Roberts (Aberystwyth 1891–1919).
27 Years: Sir Isambard Owen (Armstrong College, Newcastle 1894–1909, Bristol 1909–21), John Stirling (Glasgow 1701–28).
26 Years: Sir Charles Evans (Bangor 1958–1984), George Smith (Aberdeen 1909–35).
25 Years: John Caird (Glasgow 1873–98), William Lake (Durham 1869–94), John Murray (Exeter 1926-51), Sir Albert Sloman (Essex 1962–87), John Strang (Glasgow 1626–51), Sir Aubrey Trotman-Dickenson (Cardiff 1968–93).
24 Years: Sir William Halliday (KCL 1928–52), William Leechman (Glasgow 1761–85).
23 Years: James Duff (Durham Colleges 1937–60), Medwin Hughes (Trinity University College 2000–2011, Lampeter 2009–11, UWTSD 2011–23, Wales 2011–23).
22 Years: Sir David Brewster (St Andrews 1837–59), Sir Thomas Holland (Imperial 1922–29, Edinburgh 1929–44), Lord Stopford (Manchester 1934–56), Dame Margaret Tuke (Bedford 1907–29), Edward Wright (Glasgow 1662–84).
21 Years: Bill Bevan (Cardiff 1966–87), Henry Charteris (Edinburgh 1599–1620), Geraldine Jebb (Bedford 1930–51), Sir Edward Ross (SOAS 1916–37), Tim Wheeler (Chester 1998–2019), David Green (Worcester 2003–present), David Latchman (Birkbeck 2003–present).
20 Years: Lord Butterworth (Warwick 1965–85), Sir Colin Campbell (Nottingham 1988–2008), Sir Alexander Carr-Saunders (London 1937–57), Sir Graeme Davies (Liverpool 1986–91, Glasgow 1995–2003, London 2003-10), Sir John LeFevre (London 1842–62), Sir Donald MacAlister (Glasgow 1909–29), Sir Philip Morris (Bristol 1946–66), Sir Timothy O'Shea (Birkbeck 1998–2002, Edinburgh 2002–18), Sir Cyril Philips (SOAS 1956–76), Sir Frederick Rees (Cardiff 1929–49), William Taylor (Glasgow 1803–23), John Watson (St Andrews 1966–86).
19 Years: Lord Chilver (Cranfield 1970–89), Michael Driscoll (Middlesex 1996–2015), Thomas Edmonds (Aberystwyth 1872–91), Anthony Kelly (Surrey 1975–94), John Lee (Edinburgh 1840–59), Sir Oliver Lodge (Birmingham 1900–19), Sir Fraser Noble (Leicester 1962–76, Aberdeen 1976–81), Gerald Pillay (Liverpool Hope 2003–22), Sir Michael Sterling (Brunel 1990–2001, Birmingham 2001–09), Frank Thistlethwaite (East Anglia 1961–80), Sir Ralph Turner (SOAS 1937–56), Raymond Rickett (Middlesex 1972–91), George Holmes (Bolton 2005–present).
18 Years: William Beveridge (LSE 1919–37), Sir Derman Christopherson (Durham Colleges 1960–63, Durham 1961-78), Archibald Davidson (Glasgow 1785–1803), Ifor Evans (Aberystwyth 1934–52), John Viriamu Jones (Cardiff 1883–1901), Sir James Mountford (Liverpool 1945–63), Sir William Muir (Edinburgh 1885–1903), Sir Steve Smith (Exeter 2002–20), William Wishart (Edinburgh 1736–54), John Cater (Edge Hill 2006–present)
17 Years: Sir Edward Appleton (Edinburgh 1948–65), Sir Michael Arthur (Leeds 2004–13, UCL 2013–21), Edith Batho (Royal Holloway 1945–62), Baroness Blackstone (Birkbeck 1987–97, Greenwich 2004–11), Dame Glynis Breakwell (Bath 2001–18), John Brooks (Wolverhampton 1998–2005, Manchester Met 2005–15), Brian Cantor (York 2002–13, Bradford 2013–19), Sir Samuel Curran (Strathclyde 1964–81), Lord Flowers (Imperial 1973–85, London 1985–90), Sir Alexander Grant (Edinburgh 1868–85), Sir Peter Gregson (Queens Belfast 2004–13, Cranfield 2013–21), Ernest Griffiths (Cardiff 1901–18), Bertrand Hallward (Nottingham 1948–65), Sir Martin Harris (Essex 1987–92, Manchester 1992–04), Frank Hartley (Cranfield 1989–2006), Hugh Nisbet (Heriot-Watt 1950–67), Sir Franklin Sibly (Reading 1929–46), Anthony Steel (Cardiff 1949–66), Geoffrey Sim (Sheffield 1974–91), Lord Sutherland (KCL 1985–90, London 1990–94, Edinburgh 1994–2002), Geoffrey Templeman (Kent 1963–80).
16 Years: Charles Bosanquet (King's College, Newcastle 1952–63, Newcastle 1963–68), Sir Charles Carter (Lancaster 1964–80), John Craven (Portsmouth 1997–2003), Frederick Crawford (Aston 1980-96), Sir Alfred Dale (Liverpool 1903–1919), Richard Davies (Swansea 2003–19), Sir David Eastwood (East Anglia 2002–06, Birmingham 2009–21), Sir John Kingman (Bristol 1985–2001), Sir Alan Langlands (Dundee 2000–09, Leeds 2013–20), Sir Peter Noble (KCL 1952–68), Colin Riordan (Essex 2007–12, Cardiff 2012–23), Sir Adrian Smith (QMC 1998–2008, London 2012–18), Sir Michael Thompson (East Anglia 1980–86, Birmingham 1987–96).
15 Years: Sir Robert Aitken (Birmingham 1953–68), Thomas Barley (Glasgow 1858–73), Alfred Barry (KCL 1868–83), Dame Janet Beer (Oxford Brooks 2007–15, Liverpool 2015–22), Duncan Bunch (Glasgow 1460–75), Sir Bob Burgess (Leicester 1999–2014), Dame Janet Finch (Keele 1995–2010), Sir David Harrison (Keele 1979–84, Exeter 1984–94), Richard Jeff (KCL 1843–68), Sir Irvine Masson (Sheffield 1938–53), Malcolm McVicar (UCLan 1998–13), Sir Alec Merrison (Bristol 1969–84), Frank Morgan (Bath Spa 1997–2012), Lord Morris (Leeds 1948–63), Sir Howard Newby (Southampton 1994-2001, West England 2006–08, Liverpool 2008–14), Paul O'Prey (Roehampton 2004–19), Elizabeth Reid (Bedford 1849–64), Sir Charles Robertson (Birmingham 1923–38), David VandeLinde (Bath 1992–2001, Warwick 2001–06), Sir Charles Wilson (Glasgow 1961–76),