Vice-Chancellor Professor Alistair Fitt to retire

The Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes has announced that he will retire, after 13 years at the University.

Professor Fitt recently informed the University’s Board of Governors, Vice-Chancellor’s Group and Chancellor of his intentions, and shared the news with University staff earlier today (Tuesday 18 June).

He said: “After 40 years in the Higher Education sector, I have decided that the time has come to step back. It’s been an immense honour and privilege to work at this amazing university with such talented colleagues, and I am proud of our many achievements together. During that time, Oxford Brookes has grown into one of the UK’s top modern universities, with an international reputation for teaching and research excellence.

“Over the next year, I will begin stepping back from work and moving towards retirement - allowing plenty of time to identify and appoint my successor, and ensure a smooth transition.” 

Professor Fitt was previously Pro Vice-Chancellor at Oxford Brookes, with a remit that covered research and knowledge exchange.

He joined Oxford Brookes in March 2011 from the University of Southampton where he worked for 22 years, latterly as the Dean and then Head of the School of Mathematics before becoming Pro Vice-Chancellor, International.

Peter Vicary-Smith, Chair of the Board of Governors said: “It has been a privilege to work with Alistair. Throughout his professional career, he has forged an impressive reputation as an academic and leader, including holding a number of senior and Board positions with public sector and industry bodies. He has been a dedicated advocate for the value of higher education, impacting policy making at local, national and international level. 

“I would like to make particular mention of Alistair’s leadership of the University throughout the pandemic, ensuring that thousands of students could successfully complete their studies despite the many challenges of the period. 

“Thank you, Alistair, for your service to Oxford Brookes, and I wish you all the best as you move towards retirement.”   

Professor Fitt studied at Lincoln College, Oxford and specialises in industrial applied mathematics research. He has published three books and more than 90 research papers.

He has close connections with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and other funding agencies, and was the University Alliance research lead. He was the Chair of the Universities UK Health Education & Research Policy Network (HERPN) and has served on the Universities UK Board.

Professor Fitt is the Chair of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), a Director of the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) for Higher Education, and is a Trustee of the Oxford Trust. He is also the Director of a number of other companies including Oxford Expression Technologies Ltd.