Oxford Brookes University announces new Vice-Chancellor

Oxford Brookes is pleased to announce that Professor Helen Laville is to become the University’s next Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Laville is currently Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Kingston University in London. She has an impressive track record in enhancing the research agenda, improving student outcomes, embedding employability into the curriculum, and leading strategic change and development. 

Prior to joining Kingston University in 2021, Helen was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) at Manchester Metropolitan University for five years. She was educated at the University of Birmingham and returned there to begin her academic career after completing her PhD at the University of Nottingham.  

Helen is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE, a Governor on the Board of the South Thames College Group and a Trustee of Hospice UK. 

Commenting on the appointment, Helen said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to this role, and have been inspired by the commitment of staff and students to the mission and values of the University. Oxford Brookes has a strong platform from which to meet the challenges facing the sector, and I look forward to contributing to the work of the University in transforming the lives of its students and its communities.”

John Zealley, Chair of the Board of Governors at Oxford Brookes University, said: “I am delighted to welcome Helen to Oxford Brookes as our new Vice-Chancellor. She has a wealth of experience in leading strategic change and development in higher education and I look forward to working with her to deliver the next phase of our Strategy 2035, in collaboration with our staff, students and stakeholders in our wider community.”

Professor Alistair Fitt commented: "I have been extremely proud to have led Oxford Brookes over the past ten years. I would like to pay tribute to students, colleagues and partners I’ve worked with over the years. I’m confident that with Helen as Vice-Chancellor, the University will continue to achieve great things and meet the challenges and opportunities facing higher education in 2025.”

Helen will take up her role at the University on 1 August 2025. The appointment was made after the University conducted an open and competitive recruitment process. This followed Professor Alistair Fitt’s announcement last June that he would step down from the role of Vice-Chancellor in 2025.