Former University of East Anglia Vice-Chancellor Joins St Mary's

Prof Edward Acton has joined St Mary’s University, Twickenham as Adviser to the Vice Chancellor. Starting the role in September, Professor Acton will help oversee the development and implementation of the University’s academic strategies and policies. He will also assist in strengthening the research culture and help to deliver improvements in the University’s research quality, with particular focus on the overarching interdisciplinary research centres. Professor Acton is a British academic and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of East Anglia (UEA). He was appointed Dean of the School of History at UEA in 1999, and served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor from 2004 until 2009, when he was appointed Vice-Chancellor. Previously, Professor Acton worked at the Bank of England, and then held academic posts at the Universities of Liverpool and Manchester, before becoming Professor of Modern European History at the University of East Anglia in 1991. St Mary’s Vice-Chancellor Francis Campbell said, “Professor Acton brings with him a wealth of experience in higher education leadership and management. He will have an important role in deciding the strategic direction of St Mary’s, particularly in the advancement of our research culture. I am very pleased to have him on board.” Professor Acton said, “I’m delighted to be joining St Mary’s at a very exciting time for the University. I can see a great deal of potential here among the talented teaching staff and ambitious students. I am very much looking forward to helping to shape the future of this famous institution.” Professor Action is the latest in a series of high-profile appointments as former Secretary of State for Education Ruth Kelly is to join St Mary’s in a new role as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise while former Irish President Mary McAleese was made Distinguished Professor in Irish Studies. Meanwhile, former Cabinet minister, Baroness Warsi, leading barrister Cherie Blair, the UK’s Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Kevin Hyland and Rugby World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward were all appointed as Visiting Professors in recent months. This year St Mary’s celebrates its 165th anniversary. The milestone is being marked by a number of high-profile events, including the recent installation of Cardinal Vincent Nichols as Chancellor in a service at Westminster Cathedral, in addition to organising a number of events involving staff, students and the local community at its Strawberry Hill campus. Image courtesy of Wikipedia user Flaming Ferrari