Chancellor 1964-2004
HRH Princess Alexandra KG, GCVO, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy, was Chancellor of Lancaster University from its foundation until December 2004, presiding at most degree ceremonies and many unveilings. She was subsequently awarded an honorary degree in Music.
Chancellor 2005-2015
Sir Chris Bonington, renowned mountaineer. He made the first British ascent of the North Wall of the Eiger and led the expedition that made the first ascent of The South Face of Annapurna. He went on to lead the expedition that made the first ascent of the Southwest Face of Everest in 1975 and then reached the summit of Everest himself in 1985. He was Chancellor of Lancaster University for a decade from May 2005 and is still associated as Chancellor’s Ambassador.
Vice-Chancellor 1963-1979
The late Sir Charles Carter was Lancaster University’s founding Vice-Chancellor. An applied economist and active member of the Society of Friends, he came to Lancaster and took a particular interest in setting up the Management School. Sir Charles was knighted in 1978 and was also the recipient of numerous honorary degrees.
Vice-Chancellor 1980-1985
The late Professor Philip Reynolds, a political scientist, was acting Vice-Chancellor from October 1978 to December 1979 and Vice-Chancellor from 1980-85. Previously, he had been a Professor of Politics, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and founding Principal of Furness College, and subsequently Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor.
Vice-Chancellor 1985-1995
Professor Hanham, born in New Zealand, was a professor of history at Harvard (1968-72) and Dean of Humanities at MIT (1973-85).
During his time at Lancaster, he put a greater strategic focus on research, achieving major improvements in both volume and quantity by the time of the 1992 RAE.
Vice-Chancellor 1995-2002
Professor Ritchie was a Professor of Physical Geography (1979-95) and senior vice-principal (1992-95) at Aberdeen, and joint editor of The Environmental Impact of the Wreck of the Braer (Scottish Office,1994). He maintained the University’s high reputation for research and initiated the creation of the Lancaster Environment Centre.
Vice-Chancellor 2002-2011
Professor Wellings was educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School. He was Deputy Chief Executive at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (1999-2002). While at Lancaster, he was a board member of UUK and chair of its International and European Policy Committee, and a board member of the HEFCE and chair of its Research Committee.
Vice-Chancellor 2012-2019
Professor Smith, an applied physicist, was Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Warwick before coming to Lancaster. During his time at Lancaster, the university was named University of the Year (Sunday Times, 2018) and International University of the Year (The Times and Sunday Times, 2020). He oversaw the development of the Health Innovation Campus.
Professor Andy Schofield was previously Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Engineering at the University of Birmingham before coming to Lancaster. He has a background in condensed matter physics specialising in correlated electrons, developing and studying new materials using high precision techniques at low temperatures to understand how emergent properties like superconductivity, magnetism and novel metal behaviour arise. During his appointment at Lancaster University Professor Schofield took up the role of Senior Independent Member in the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), sat on the boards of University Academy 92 (UA92), the N8 group of universities, was Chair of EPF and a member of NWBLT.
More about Lancaster University's senior roles:
About our University's executive roles, including the Vice-Chancellor and the Executive Team.
The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University.
The Chancellor’s Ambassador role was created for former Chancellor Sir Chris Bonington.
The Pro-Chancellor is the Chair of the University's governing body, The Council.
