Southampton: Solent University appoints vice-chancellor

Solent University has announced the appointment of professor Karen Stanton as its new vice-chancellor.

Professor Stanton joins Solent from her role as vice-chancellor at York St John University, where she has delivered clear strategic leadership, driving improvements in the student experience and student outcomes, and providing strong external representation and institutional sustainability.

Phil Cotton, pro-chancellor and chairman of Solent University’s Board of Governors, said: “Following a rigorous recruitment process, a number of high calibre candidates were interviewed for the role. The panel, which included student and staff governors, felt Karen was an outstanding candidate whose breadth of experience, clear vision and values matched our own. We look forward to welcoming her when she takes up the position of Solent’s Vice-Chancellor February 2020.”

Prior to her current role, Professor Stanton was deputy vice-chancellor at Glasgow Caledonian University and has also held positions at King’s College London and at the universities of Nottingham, Birmingham and Sheffield Hallam.

She is currently chair of the UK Cathedral’s Group, vice-chair of GuildHE, and a member of the UUK Taskforce on the Public Impact of Universities. She was previously a trustee on the UCAS Board. She is a member of the local LEP and a director of the York tourism and business development agency. Professor Stanton is also a patron of the Philosophical Society, the Island Charity and the Guildhall Orchestra.